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Colts-Jaguars Preview
by JJ Pesavento
Game of Garrard's life
This game, like the remainder of the games the Indianapolis Colts are involved in this season is a must see contest. The 12-0 Colts will be on the road and facing a solid opponent in the Jacksonville Jaguars, who are presently 9-3.
A few weeks back, this game looked as though it would be the biggest stumbling block for the Colts in their quest to go undefeated. However, the Jags lost quarterback Byron Leftwich to a broke ankle and David Garrad now directs the Jags offense. But if the first meeting between the two teams counts for anything, this should be a close one.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning completed less than half his passes and was kept off the scoreboard in Week 2 by the Jags, and Ran Carthon scored the only touchdown of the game as the Colts won 10-3.
While both clubs ran the ball for over 100 yards in the game, neither defense was exploited through the air. The Colts registered six sacks on Leftwich in the win and neither quarterback threw for over 200 yards that day.
This one may be different considering the Colts have not been held under 26 points the last nine games by their opponents. The Jags have been no slouches themselves as they have won seven of their last eight games and scored over 20 points in each of those games.
Colts Offense vs Jaguars Defense
Peyton Manning may not be having a repeat of his stellar 2004 campaign, but the Indianapolis offense is as lethal as ever. Edgerrin James has rushed for 1,347 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns thus far. When teams back off and take away the deep ball, the Colts just keep running James and hitting short passes until the defense creeps up in run support. James has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of the last eight contests for the Colts. If the Colts plan for James to continue his hot streak, they will first have to neutralize Jags defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, who may be the best interior tandem in the business. If the Colts get bogged down inside, look for them to attack the perimeters and defensive ends Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer. The Jags are not exceptional at stopping the run, and the Colts will undoubtedly look to exploit that. With safety Donovin Darius out for the season, Deke Cooper is filling in at his spot, but Cooper is not as solid.
After a slow start, Peyton Manning has thrown 14 touchdown passes in his last five games. The problems for any defense facing Manning are numerous. There is probably no quarterback in the league who prepares better than Manning. He can read a defense with the best of them and unloads the ball quickly. The fact that Manning has several viable targets makes life no easier for opponents. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison both have over 850 yards receiving. Harrison leads the club with 10 touchdown receptions while Wayne has five. Harrison has been hot of late and tight end Dallas Clark has also been heating up over the past month. The Jags will get pressure on Manning, but they will not sell out and give up the home run ball. They are one of the better teams in the NFL at rushing the passer and will bring blitzes if need be. Also, look for Henderson and Stroud to get a push up the middle, but Manning will not be easy to sack since the Colts have given up only nine sacks all season.
Jaguars Offense vs Colts Defense
This will be a different Jacksonville offense that will take the field than the one that met the Colts in Week 2. With Leftwich out, David Garrad takes over at quarterback. Garrad is not the pure passer that Leftwich is, but he is much more mobile. The downside to Garrad is that he has only started four games in as many years. In the first meeting, Montae Reagor had a career game with three sacks. Only one team in the NFL rushes the passer better than the Colts this season. While Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are the leading sack artists on the club, Reagor, Raheem Brock and Larry Triplett also figure prominently into the mix. The Jags do have one advantage in coverage. Jimmy Smith, Ernest Wilford and Matt Jones have an edge in size over corners Jason David, Marlin Jackson or Nick Harper. Jackson is the biggest of the group at six feet even. Smith is the smallest of the Jags receivers at 6-1. The trio of Smith, Wilford and Jones have accounted for 14 touchdown receptions for the Jags this season. Smith, while aging, is one of the more dependable receivers in the NFL. Wilford and Jones are young talents who still learning, but growing. If Garrad has time, he has some weapons, but Mike Doss and Bobby Sanders will be giving help over the top and forcing the ball could be costly.
Fred Taylor sat out Week 13 and is not a sure bet for the clash with the Colts. Last week it was Greg Jones who rushed for 103 yards on the Browns. Jones is not a true home run threat and is not the best receiver out of the backfield, but he is strong and durable. Jones will have his work cut out for him as he will be facing a Colts defense that allows less than 100 yards per game on average. Corey Simon has made a huge difference up fron for the Colts. The emergence of Gary Brackett and Cato June at the linebacker positions coupled with the play of safeties Mike Doss and Bob Sanders make the Indy defense a quick aggressive group that will pose problems for the Jags. The Jags will undoubtedly try to use their running attack to slow the game down and keep Manning & Co. on the sidelines. If the Colts make them one-dimensional, it could be a long day for Jacksonville.
Summary
This is a big game for both teams. The Colts obviously want to stay undefeated while the Jags are still battling for a playoff berth. With the Colts rolling along the way they have been and only two wild card spots available, the Jags are under the gun. The perfect scenario for Jacksonville would be for the running game to gain some measure of success and take the pressure off Garrad and their defense. But that is easier said than done. Indianapolis has so many weapons, the task may be too much for the Jags. And if the Colts offense starts putting up points, there are not many teams in the NFL that would be able to keep pace. Look for the Jags to slow the game down some, but the Indy defense will force the issue and some mistakes. Once Manning and the Colts get on top, the Jags will be in chase mode and not be able to catch up.
A few weeks back, this game looked as though it would be the biggest stumbling block for the Colts in their quest to go undefeated. However, the Jags lost quarterback Byron Leftwich to a broke ankle and David Garrad now directs the Jags offense. But if the first meeting between the two teams counts for anything, this should be a close one.
Colts quarterback Peyton Manning completed less than half his passes and was kept off the scoreboard in Week 2 by the Jags, and Ran Carthon scored the only touchdown of the game as the Colts won 10-3.
While both clubs ran the ball for over 100 yards in the game, neither defense was exploited through the air. The Colts registered six sacks on Leftwich in the win and neither quarterback threw for over 200 yards that day.
This one may be different considering the Colts have not been held under 26 points the last nine games by their opponents. The Jags have been no slouches themselves as they have won seven of their last eight games and scored over 20 points in each of those games.
Colts Offense vs Jaguars Defense
Peyton Manning may not be having a repeat of his stellar 2004 campaign, but the Indianapolis offense is as lethal as ever. Edgerrin James has rushed for 1,347 yards and scored 12 rushing touchdowns thus far. When teams back off and take away the deep ball, the Colts just keep running James and hitting short passes until the defense creeps up in run support. James has rushed for over 100 yards in seven of the last eight contests for the Colts. If the Colts plan for James to continue his hot streak, they will first have to neutralize Jags defensive tackles Marcus Stroud and John Henderson, who may be the best interior tandem in the business. If the Colts get bogged down inside, look for them to attack the perimeters and defensive ends Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer. The Jags are not exceptional at stopping the run, and the Colts will undoubtedly look to exploit that. With safety Donovin Darius out for the season, Deke Cooper is filling in at his spot, but Cooper is not as solid.
After a slow start, Peyton Manning has thrown 14 touchdown passes in his last five games. The problems for any defense facing Manning are numerous. There is probably no quarterback in the league who prepares better than Manning. He can read a defense with the best of them and unloads the ball quickly. The fact that Manning has several viable targets makes life no easier for opponents. Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison both have over 850 yards receiving. Harrison leads the club with 10 touchdown receptions while Wayne has five. Harrison has been hot of late and tight end Dallas Clark has also been heating up over the past month. The Jags will get pressure on Manning, but they will not sell out and give up the home run ball. They are one of the better teams in the NFL at rushing the passer and will bring blitzes if need be. Also, look for Henderson and Stroud to get a push up the middle, but Manning will not be easy to sack since the Colts have given up only nine sacks all season.
Jaguars Offense vs Colts Defense
This will be a different Jacksonville offense that will take the field than the one that met the Colts in Week 2. With Leftwich out, David Garrad takes over at quarterback. Garrad is not the pure passer that Leftwich is, but he is much more mobile. The downside to Garrad is that he has only started four games in as many years. In the first meeting, Montae Reagor had a career game with three sacks. Only one team in the NFL rushes the passer better than the Colts this season. While Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney are the leading sack artists on the club, Reagor, Raheem Brock and Larry Triplett also figure prominently into the mix. The Jags do have one advantage in coverage. Jimmy Smith, Ernest Wilford and Matt Jones have an edge in size over corners Jason David, Marlin Jackson or Nick Harper. Jackson is the biggest of the group at six feet even. Smith is the smallest of the Jags receivers at 6-1. The trio of Smith, Wilford and Jones have accounted for 14 touchdown receptions for the Jags this season. Smith, while aging, is one of the more dependable receivers in the NFL. Wilford and Jones are young talents who still learning, but growing. If Garrad has time, he has some weapons, but Mike Doss and Bobby Sanders will be giving help over the top and forcing the ball could be costly.
Fred Taylor sat out Week 13 and is not a sure bet for the clash with the Colts. Last week it was Greg Jones who rushed for 103 yards on the Browns. Jones is not a true home run threat and is not the best receiver out of the backfield, but he is strong and durable. Jones will have his work cut out for him as he will be facing a Colts defense that allows less than 100 yards per game on average. Corey Simon has made a huge difference up fron for the Colts. The emergence of Gary Brackett and Cato June at the linebacker positions coupled with the play of safeties Mike Doss and Bob Sanders make the Indy defense a quick aggressive group that will pose problems for the Jags. The Jags will undoubtedly try to use their running attack to slow the game down and keep Manning & Co. on the sidelines. If the Colts make them one-dimensional, it could be a long day for Jacksonville.
Summary
This is a big game for both teams. The Colts obviously want to stay undefeated while the Jags are still battling for a playoff berth. With the Colts rolling along the way they have been and only two wild card spots available, the Jags are under the gun. The perfect scenario for Jacksonville would be for the running game to gain some measure of success and take the pressure off Garrad and their defense. But that is easier said than done. Indianapolis has so many weapons, the task may be too much for the Jags. And if the Colts offense starts putting up points, there are not many teams in the NFL that would be able to keep pace. Look for the Jags to slow the game down some, but the Indy defense will force the issue and some mistakes. Once Manning and the Colts get on top, the Jags will be in chase mode and not be able to catch up.
