Instant analysis as Jaguars end season playing spoiler in upset over Colts
It’s been a season almost exclusively filled with low moments for the Jaguars, but the team had one more surprise in store for the fan base in Sunday’s Week 18 game against the Indianapolis Colts. In front of an army of clowns, Jacksonville played its most complete game of the season in the finale against a Colts team that had all the motivation in the world, as a win would have clinched a playoff spot.
The Jags completely controlled this game, leading the entire way and ultimately holding on for a convincing 26-11 win to stun Indianapolis (who is now officially eliminated from playoff contention with Pittsburgh’s overtime win over Baltimore). It gave the home fans what they’ve rarely had this season: something to cheer for.
To make things even better, the Detroit Lions also pulled off a 37-30 upset over the NFC’s No. 1-seeded Green Bay Packers, meaning that despite of the improbable win, the Jaguars will pick first overall in the 2022 NFL draft.
You have to take the small victories with a team that finished 3-14, but Sunday went about as well as it possibly could have for Jacksonville fans. For the final time this season, here are the notes and takeaways as the Jags enter one of the most crucial offseasons in the history of the franchise.
Lawrence will enter the offseason with some positive momentum
It’s been a largely forgettable rookie season for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, but he ended the season with his best game yet as a pro. He completed 23 of 33 passes, putting his completion percentage above 70% for the second time this season (and the first time since Week 4). He threw two touchdowns, his first multi-touchdown game since Week 1 against Houston, and it was the first time he’s thrown touchdowns in back-to-back games since October.
He was incredibly efficient, avoiding any turnovers as he threw for 223 yards. He made some tough throws as well, including his second touchdown. On that play, he had to salvage a bad snap and find Marvin Jones Jr. in the back of the end zone. It was a big game for Jones, who led the team in receiving with 88 yards and a score on seven catches. He made some money today, as he was four catches away from triggering a contract bonus.
The team even found success on the ground despite not having James Robinson or Carlos Hyde, as the team broke 100 yards on the day. Ryquell Armstead led the team with 52 yards on nine carries, followed by Dare Ogunbowale with 11 carries for 30 yards.
The offense hasn’t looked as good as it did Sunday since the first few weeks of the season, and for Lawrence and the rest of the unit to end the season with a performance like this should certainly build their confidence heading into the offseason.
The defense battered Wentz, held Taylor in check
Carson Wentz is a polarizing quarterback, but there’s no denying he’s had a very efficient season in Indianapolis. However, Sunday’s game was far from his best performance. He completed fewer than 60% of his passes, and he had two turnovers in a fumble and an interception thrown to Damien Wilson. His only touchdown came in garbage time, and he was sacked six times by a Jaguars front that never let up, with Josh Allen leading the team with two. He finishes the season with 7.5 sacks, the second-highest total of his career.
It was an embarrassing performance from Indianapolis’ passing game, but even the NFL’s leading rusher in Jonathan Taylor struggled to find success on the ground. He finished with 77 yards on 15 carries, good for a solid 5.1-yard average, but that was aided by a 23-yard rush and most of the production came later in the game. It was just the seventh time this season that he’s been held under 100 yards.
The Jaguars held the Colts to just 4-of-12 on third downs, and they stepped up big-time on fourth down, holding Indianapolis to just 2-of-5 on those plays. All three of the stops were in short-yardage scenarios, and the last came on the goal line in the fourth quarter.
This defense showed signs of progress a few weeks ago, but no one saw a performance like this coming after it allowed 50 points last week against New England.
Other notes
Outside of Jones’ performance, it was also a very good game for Laviska Shenault Jr., who had five catches for 62 yards. Laquon Treadwell wasn’t as productive as he’s been in past weeks, making just three catches for 24 yards, though he did find the end zone. Jacob Hollister was back, and he was the only tight end to make a catch, totaling three for 14 yards.
Jacksonville’s defensive line was absolutely dominant, and that extended outside of Allen’s play. Malcom Brown, Dawuane Smoot, Damien Wilson, and Adam Gotsis all also notched sacks, and while he didn’t bring Wentz down, Roy Robertson-Harris had three quarterback hurries. The pass rush hasn’t always looked great this season, but it was phenomenal against a solid offensive line on Sunday.
The Jags’ secondary also played much better against Indianapolis than it did in the loss to New England. Though Michael Pittman had his success, making six catches for 64 yards and a touchdown, the next closest receiver was T.Y. Hilton, who had just two catches but managed 39 yards. The Jaguars are at full-strength at the corner spot now with Shaquill Griffin and Tyson Campbell both playing, and the safeties also played well. Andre Cisco and Daniel Thomas are starting due to injuries, and the former had a forced fumble while that latter dove for a tipped ball and nearly had an interception.
Wilson has been a bit overshadowed by the player who lines up next to him in Myles Jack, but he’s had a very solid season in his own right and Sunday was probably his best game. In addition to his interception, he had a sack and a forced fumble, becoming just the fifth player in franchise history to notch all three in a single game.
Kicking was a major struggle for the Jaguars earlier in the season, but those concerns seem to be a thing of the past. Matthew Wright made all four of his field goals and both of his extra points. He finishes the season by hitting his last 11 field goals, and he was 18 of 21 for the season.
