The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a devastating and, as defensive coordinator Gus Bradley put it, “embarrassing” performance against the then two-win New York Giants. The loss would then eliminate the Colts from playoff contention.
Indianapolis has now not made the playoffs since the 2020 season. In three of the last four years, they’ve had the opportunity late in the year to either clinch a playoff spot or keep their playoff hopes alive with a win and fell flat each time. On two of those occasions, those losses came against two-win teams.
So naturally, given the state of mediocrity that the Colts continue to live in, all eyes are on the offseason and any potential changes that might be made.
However, before we get to that point, there is one game left to be played against the Jacksonville Jaguars. So let’s get to know the Colts’ week 18 opponent.
Last week: Jaguars 20 – Titans 13
Quarterback play
Since the last time these two teams met, Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve, ending his season, and Mac Jones has taken over as the starter. On the year, Jones has completed 65.7% of his throws for 1,447 yards with seven touchdowns and seven interceptions.
By comparison, Jones ranks 21st in completion rate at the quarterback position, 35th in yards per attempt, and 34th in passer rating. Overall, the Jaguars’ offense ranks 25th in points per game scored.
Line of scrimmage
There are two areas in the trenches where the Jaguars have held their own this season. One is that they have allowed the lowest pressure rate in football, which at times is aided by Jones’ getting the ball out of his hands quickly. The Jaguars’ run defense also ranks 12th in yards per rush, and we’ve seen instances where getting Jonathan Taylor going for the Colts doesn’t always come easy when Anthony Richardson isn’t under center.
With Tank Bigsby at running back, the Jaguars do certainly have big play ability in the run game, and as a team, rank 15th in yards per carry. However, where they’ve struggled, as a unit, is in generating steady pressure on the opposing quarterback, ranking 30th in pressure rate, according to Pro Football Reference–although Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker have proven to be two disruptive pass rushers.
Turnovers
The Jaguars will enter Week 18 at minus-14 in the turnover battle, which ranks 29th. No defense has generated fewer takeaways than Jacksonville with only nine on the year, while the offense has given the ball away the ninth-most times this season. Both fumbles and interceptions have been an issue for the Jaguars’ offense.
Injury updates
For a deeper dive into the Jaguars’ final injury report, click here.
#JAXvsIND Status Report pic.twitter.com/s4ki1aIMi1
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) January 3, 2025
Stats to know
I recently put together a stats comparison between these two teams, taking a closer look at how the Colts and Jaguars stack up in several key metrics. For more on that, click here.
Players to know
RB Tank Bigsby: As mentioned, Bigsby brings big play ability to the Jaguars’ offense, totaling 727 yards this season and averaging 4.7 yards per rush with six touchdowns.
WR Brian Thomas: A first-round selection this past April, Thomas has had a big rookie year, totaling 1,179 receiving yards at 14.7 yards per catch with 10 touchdowns.
ED Josh Hines-Allen: This season, Hines-Allen has totaled 63 pressures, the most on the team and that figure ranks among the best across the NFL at his position group as well. Travon Walker, who lines up opposite of Hines-Allen, also has 53 pressures.
CB Jarrian Jones: The Jaguars don’t have a ton of ball production, but Jones is tied for the team lead in pass breakups with six and he also has one interception. Jones is the Jaguars’ nickel defender and has the lowest opposing quarterback passer rating when targeted on the team.
