Trevor Lawrence celebrates a Jaguars touchdown during an Oct. 15, 2023 contest against the Indianapolis Colts
Published on October 15, 2023 at 9:05 pm
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For a while on Sunday, it looked like the Jaguars may have not have adjusted back to life in the States. When the Colts drove 16 plays down the field on the opening drive of the game and scored the first points the Jaguars had allowed on a first drive this season, there was a moment of concern.
It only lasted a moment.
Then, it became a party at EverBank Stadium.
The Jaguars answered the first drive points with a touchdown drive capped by Travis Etienne’s 2-yard touchdown run. Then on the first play of the ensuing drive, Josh Allen sacked Colts quarterback (and former Jaguar) Gardner Minshew, forcing a fumble. The Jaguars took advantage in just one play. A direct snap to Etienne, who raced 22 yards for the score. The game saw a highlight catch by Evan Engram. Interceptions by Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Darious Williams. In the end, it was a lopsided Jaguars win, 37-20.
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Still, there is room for improvement. Allen said after the game that he expects more from the defense, especially after giving up a pair of fourth-quarter touchdown drives to the Colts.
“We want to be the No. 1 defense. I personally want to be the No. 1 player,” Allen said. “Everybody on our defense wants to be the best player in the whole NFL so we can continue to motivate ourselves to keep pushing ourselves. This defense is going to be crazy, but I don’t like the way we finish 20 points, you know, so I’m happy… but we need to start smothering these teams.”
The Jaguars have beaten Indy in Jacksonville every year since 2015, and this was the first victory in Jacksonville this season, the first chance for home fans to celebrate together. It also put the Jaguars in control of the AFC South.
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With the win, the Jaguars improved to 4-2. Jacksonville now owns the tie-breaker over Indianapolis, should the two teams finish the season with the same record.
The biggest concerns now center on injuries, most notably Lawrence, who was sacked late in the game and injured his ankle. He did not return to the game. Instead, C.J. Beathard came in to take a knee and end the game for the Jaguars.
Doug Pederson said he didn’t have any information about the injury immediately after the game and Lawrence said he was feeling OK.
“I’m going to get it checked out tonight and see kind of what’s going on,” Lawrence said. “I feel pretty good. I’m walking around all right. Can’t really say much now. Want to make sure everything is checked out before.”
Cornerback Tyson Cambell also left the game with a hamstring injury and did not return. And right guard Brandon Scherff sustained an ankle injury late in the first half and didn’t return to the game.
Injuries aside, it appeared the Jaguars finally found their stride after a sluggish start to the season on offense. In the past two games, wins over the Buffalo Bills and Sunday against the Colts, the Jaguars have averaged 414 yards and 31 points per game. Combined with the way the Jaguars’ defense is playing, this team is now looking like the playoff team most expected when the season began.
Next, the Jaguars must deal with a short week. They’ll face the Saints on Thursday in New Orleans. Then it’s a trip to Pittsburgh before the bye week.
At 4-2, the Jaguars trail only the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins in the AFC standings.
Lead photo: Trevor Lawrence | Will Brown, Jacksonville Today
Cole Pepper has covered sports in Jacksonville since 1996, most recently for News4Jax. He is currently broadcast director for Sporting Club Jacksonville and has called play-by-play for a number of teams, including the Suns, Tomcats, Jacksonville University, Sharks and The Bolles School football. He also served as the studio host for the Jaguars Radio Network.
