Four weeks ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars cruised to a 24-0 win against the Indianapolis Colts with a dominant performance on defense. It was a much different story in the Week 6 rematch as the Colts offense picked apart the Jaguars in a 34-27 win.
The Colts finished with more than 400 yards of total offense, converted 10 third downs, and drove into down the field for a game-winning touchdown in the final 30 seconds.
Buy Jaguars TicketsHere’s how the Jaguars lost a third straight game to tumble to 2-4 on the year:
Jaguars MVP of the game: RB Travis Etienne
Etienne had 86 rushing yards on 10 attempts and 20 receiving yards on two receptions. Why he touched the ball just 12 times, despite continuously breaking free for huge gains is a question that Doug Pederson will be asked this week. Just like last week. And most weeks, really.
The Jaguars’ consistent refusal to run the ball, despite its success rate, is a significant problem that’s not going away.
Colts MVP of the game: QB Matt Ryan
In Week 2, Ryan completed only 16 passes for 195 yards as the Jaguars defense gave him fits all game. Jacksonville finished that game with five sacks and three interceptions.
This time around, Ryan completed 42 passes for 389 yards with three touchdowns, including a game-winner in the final minute of the game.
Jaguars play of the game: JaMycal Hasty’s 61-yard touchdown
Bro is appropriately named.@MycHasty goes for 61!#JAXvsIND on CBS pic.twitter.com/v55oUHm9Yh
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 16, 2022
Given the way the Colts offense played in Week 2 and struggled to punch the ball in during the first quarter, a double-digit lead looked like it could’ve been the start of a blowout for the Jaguars. Alas, that wasn’t the case at all.
It was over when Alec Pierce hauled in his first career touchdown from 32 yards to give the Colts a 34-27 lead with 17 seconds left.
Ladies & gentlemen, @AlecPierce.
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/A9tN0XeiCv
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) October 16, 2022
Stat that says it all: Colts 10 of 15 on third down
The Jaguars defense had opportunities to get off the field, but simply couldn’t. Over and over, Ryan and the Indianapolis offense converted long third downs with crossing routes that the Jacksonville defense never figured out how to cover.
Up next: The Jaguars play the first of three straight home games (with a London game in the middle) beginning with a matchup against the New York Giants.
The Giants improved to 5-1 on the year with a 24-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens in Week 6.
