Week 14 Game Recap: Indianapolis Colts 17, Jacksonville Jaguars 44

What you need to know

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis’ defense was a huge factor in this game. They could not stop the run, giving up 375 yards on the ground. Jaguars’ running backs Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew averaged a staggering 12.4 yards per rush.

The Colts were outplayed throughout the game by the Jaguars. They were unable to contain Jacksonville’s running game, which set an NFL record for rushing yards in a game this season. As a result, the Colts were forced to rely almost exclusively on their passing game, which was not its’ usual efficient self in this game. While the Jaguars’ defense contributed to Indianapolis’ offensive struggles, the Colts contributed by dropping at least seven passes that should have been caught.

Even before the Colts were forced to focus on the passing game, their running backs were unable to generate much offense running the ball. Although Dominic Rhodes scored on a one yard run, he and Joseph Addai averaged just 1.74 yards per carry on 19 attempts. Rhodes received the majority of the touches on Indianapolis’ only possession inside the red zone in the first half, which culminated with the rushing touchdown. The Colts only other trip inside the red zone came in the fourth quarter when the game was decided, and featured Peyton Manning passing the ball to his tight ends, and eventually scoring on a quarterback sneak.

Although Manning ended with over 300 yards passing, he completed just half of his passes, and was unable to get into a rhythm over the course of the game with his receivers. At the end of the third quarter, he had completed just three of his previous 17 passes. Manning ended with 313 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception. He finished with 25 completions in 50 attempts. Both of his starting receivers, Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne had over 100 yards receiving, however some of those yards came after the Jaguars had a large lead, and were in more of a prevent defense. Both receivers dropped passes that were catchable, and also had a few passes deflected by Jacksonville’s defensive backs. Before leaving the game with a leg injury, Brandon Stokely dropped a pass in the end zone for what would have been a touchdown play of over 40 yards. This ineptitude was shared by others, as Colts’ receivers dropped at least eight catchable passes, and Manning overthrew his receivers on seven occasions.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars’ offense emphasized the run against the Colts’ last-ranked run defense, and was outstanding. The tone was set on their first series, when Fred Taylor ran for 76 yards on the first play, and on the very next play, Maurice Jones-Drew ran 18 yards for a touchdown. After that score, the Jaguars tried to feature the passing game on their next two series, did not score, and went back to the running game, which enabled them to take a 14-10 lead, and dominate the game from then on. When they got inside the red zone, Jacksonville first featured Jones-Drew, who ran for the first score of the game, then featured Taylor on their second red zone possession. Taylor ran the ball four consecutive times before a pass by Garrard to Marcedes Lewis was intercepted. Taylor was the featured back when the Jaguars just outside the red zone, and scored on a 21 yard run. They kept featuring the running game throughout the game, and were especially successful in the first half, when as a team they amassed 251 yards running. The only deep passing attempts were two to Matt Jones, and one to Ernest Wilford. All three were incompletions, but Jones was open in the end zone on one play, and a great play by a defender prevented him from securing a pass of over 50 yards just outside the end zone on the other deep pass attempt.

Fred Taylor set the tone early for Jacksonville with his long run to open the game, showcasing his power, ability to make defenders miss, and his speed all on that play. Those attributes were on display on most of his runs, and he had a dominant game before leaving in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Taylor had 131 yards rushing on just nine carries. Jones-Drew had his best game as a professional, displaying his impressive arsenal in a variety of ways. In addition to his first touchdown, he ran another 48 yards for another score, and capped off his day with a 93 yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Throughout the game, Jones-Drew proved to be difficult to tackle, and he proved to be too explosive, powerful and elusive time and again throughout the game. He left the game in the third quarter for an IV due to dehydration and cramping, but returned to the sideline and rode a stationary bicycle while third string back Alvin Pearman carried the running load in the fourth quarter.

David Garrard was not asked to do much during this game. However, he made a poor decision when he threw into double coverage on the pass that was intercepted in the end zone, and missed Matt Jones on a deep pass when Jones had run by his defender to get open in the end zone. Garrard also overthrew Ernest Wilford on another deep pass in the end zone. Garrard finished with modest numbers of eight completions in 14 attempts, with 79 yards, no touchdowns and one interception. Thanks to the performance of his running game, Garrard did not have to make big plays in the passing game

The Jaguars’ defense played very well after incurring holding penalties in the first quarter. They capitalized on the lead their offense gave them, and although they just sacked Manning twice, forced him to scramble many times and rush some of his passes. Jaguars’ defenders tipped several passes throughout the game. The rush defense was outstanding, and did not allow the Colts’ running backs much room to operate. The Jaguars rested most of their defense late in the fourth quarter.

What you ought to know

QB Peyton Manning, Pass: 25 - 50 - 313 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 1 - 1 - 1

Manning did not play as well as his numbers indicate. He was pressured throughout the game, and had several passes tipped, and was also affected by his receivers dropping several passes. He compounded this by overthrowing receivers at times during the game. At times Manning made excellent throws, but seemed to be pressing at other times, as it became apparent the Colts had to score quickly and often due to the Jaguars having as much success running the ball as they did. The lack of a running threat made it even more challenging for Manning. Although he finished with over 300 yards passing, he accumulated some of them when Jacksonville had established a large lead, and were allowing completions in front of them and preventing big passing plays.

RB Joseph Addai, Rush: 11 - 22 - 0, Rec: 1 - 14 - 0 (1 targets)

Addai was unable to get on track in this game, and was not a factor. He was consistently bottled up and unable to gain yards.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Rush: 8 - 11 - 1, Rec: 3 - 18 - 0 (6 targets)

Rhodes also was unable to contribute much running the football. He managed to score a rushing touchdown, but although he played more than Addai, was not much of a factor either. He also dropped a few passes that should have been caught.

WR Reggie Wayne, Rec: 8 - 110 - 0 (16 targets)

Wayne caught half of his targets and had over 100 yards receiving, and was the most targeted Colt. He was double-teamed many times, and as a result several of the passes thrown to him wee overthrown, and others deflected by defenders. He was still able to convert several tough catches, showing excellent concentration and an ability to separate from defenders when in single coverage and find open spots when double-teamed.

WR Marvin Harrison, Rec: 6 - 101 - 0 (13 targets)

Harrison caught his 1,000th career pass en route to another 100 yard receiving game. While he made nice catches and ran precise routes, he dropped a couple of catchable passes, and had some others tipped by Jacksonville defenders. Harrison was able to get open, but the Jaguars seemed to have a second defender coming his way shortly after he was able to get open, and that prevented him from having an even bigger day.

WR Ricky Proehl, Rec: 2 - 23 - 0 (2 targets)

Proehl caught his first pass as a Colt, and converted both of his targets. He came in the game as a replacement for Brandon Stokley after Stokley was injured.

WR Brandon Stokley, Rec: 1 - 10 - 0 (4 targets)

Stokley got open on a couple of pass plays, but dropped a pass in the end zone on one of those occasions. He left the game with a leg injury and did not return.

TE Ben Utecht, Rec: 3 - 32 - 0 (7 targets)

Utecht also contributed to the dropped passes that plagued the Colts’ receivers, but came close to scoring towards the end of the game. He was stopped at the one yard line.

TE Bryan Fletcher, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (3 targets)

Fletcher was not a factor in this game, and dropped a pass that should have been caught.

PK Adam Vinatieri 1 - 1 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 5 points

Vinatieri made both of his extra point attempts and his only field goal attempt, which was from 41 yards.

IND Rush Defense

Indianapolis’ rush defense was non-existent, allowing close to 400 yards rushing and four rushing touchdowns in the game.

IND Pass Defense

Indianapolis’ pass defense was not called to action often, thanks to the poor run defense, and only had to defend 14 Garrard passes. They did come up with an interception in the end zone but were otherwise not involved much.

QB David Garrard, Pass: 8 - 14 - 79 - 0 TD / 1 INT, Rush: 4 - 4 - 0

Garrard was not asked to take many chances in the passing game, thanks to the very effective rushing attack. However, he did not capitalize on opportunities to score in the end zone, throwing an interception and overthrowing his receivers on two other chances. He was accurate with the shorter passes, and managed to keep drives alive at times with these passes. Although the team ran the ball well, Garrard could have had better numbers if he was able to connect on the scoring opportunities.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Rush: 15 - 166 - 2, Rec: 1 - 15 - 0 (1 targets)

Jones-Drew was electrifying. He scored three times, and on those runs as well as other times he had the ball in his hand, made defenders miss, ran through tackles, and ran by would-be tacklers. Jones-Drew proved to be close to impossible to be stopped by the first defender, and ran with great explosion throughout the game. He hit holes hard, but seemed to know when to do so, giving his blockers enough time to make their initial blocks, then used his explosiveness to break through the line of scrimmage.

RB Alvin Pearman, Rush: 13 - 71 - 1

Pearman played most of the fourth quarter, and averaged 5.46 yards per carry, including a touchdown. He ran with determination and gained most of his yards up the middle, showing some power as he dragged defenders for extra yards on several of his carries.

RB Fred Taylor, Rush: 9 - 131 - 1

Taylor was very effective in his limited touches, averaging 14.5 yards per carry on just nine rushing attempts, including his first carry, which was for 76 yards. He ran with good power, and showed excellent elusiveness several times, making use of a quick spin move to gain additional yards, and good speed to get to the corner on other carries. He left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury, and although he returned to the sideline in his uniform for the remainder of the game, did not return.

RB Derrick Wimbush, Rush: 1 - 3 - 0, Rec: 1 - 9 - 0 (1 targets)

Wimbush was used mostly as a blocking fullback.

WR Reggie Williams, Rec: 3 - 16 - 0 (3 targets)

Williams was only thrown to in the first half and all were on short routes.

WR Matt Jones, Rec: 1 - 7 - 0 (5 targets)

Jones was the most targeted of Jacksonville’s receivers, and was able to get open on most of them, but was overthrown a couple times, and a good play by a defensive back to strip the ball from him prevented a big play.

WR Ernest Wilford (1 targets)

Wilford’s only involvement in the passing game was on a deep pass in the end zone that was overthrown.

TE Kyle Brady, Rec: 1 - 13 - 0 (1 targets)

Brady was used mostly as a blocker.

TE Marcedes Lewis, Rec: 1 - 19 - 0 (2 targets)

Lewis made a nice catch on his lone reception, and was double-teamed in the end zone on his other target, with the pass being intercepted.

PK Josh Scobee 3 - 4 FG, 5 - 5 XP, 14 points

Scobee converted all five of his extra point attempts, and made three of four field goal attempts. His miss was from 48 yards, and he made tries from 48, 34 and 46 yards.

JAX Rush Defense

Jacksonville’s rush defense prevented Indianapolis’ running backs from establishing a running game. They routinely stopped them at the line of scrimmage, and did not allow them to break past the line of scrimmage often. The only blip on their play was they allowed two running touchdowns, both from one yard out.

JAX Pass Defense

Jacksonville’s pass defense was aggressive and effective. They pressured Manning into rushing several of his passes, and their defensive backs and linebackers were able to deflect several passes. They did not allow many big plays and swarmed to the receiver when they caught a short or intermediate pass to tackle them quickly. Although they just recorded two sacks and one interception, they came close to recording several other sacks and a couple additional interceptions.