Week 3 Game Recap: Jacksonville Jaguars 14, Indianapolis Colts 21

What you need to know

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars executed their game plan effectively during the first half of the game, however they were undone by several miscues that ultimately led to them losing the game. Although they did an effective job of running the ball and controlling the clock in the first half, they suffered a missed field goal and allowed a punt return for a touchdown.

Jacksonville showed a dedication to the running game, especially in the first half, and featured Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. Both running backs played well in the first half, and finished with a combined 34 carries for 177 yards. Although neither had a rushing touchdown, the Jaguars demonstrated their commitment to the running game by calling running plays for Taylor on six of their eight plays inside the red zone. The other two plays were runs by Byron Leftwich, one of which he ran in for a score. Taylor ran with his usual power, and showed good quickness, making a few tacklers miss at the line of scrimmage, but Jones-Drew turned had a more productive day. Jones-Drew had 103 yards rushing and added another 32 yards receiving, including a seven yard reception for a touchdown. Jones-Drew proved to be very elusive, as he made several defenders miss him, and then demonstrated explosiveness as he accelerated past defenders who appeared to have a good angle to tackle him, on several plays. In addition, he displayed good power as he rarely was brought down by the first person that got their hands on him. Jones-Drew was in the game for most of the second half, as the Jaguars looked to pass the ball more in an effort to catch up.

Jaguars’ quarterback Byron Leftwich had a poor day, completing 16 of 28 passes for 107 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions. Leftwich was not asked to do much in the first half, as the Jaguars ran the ball effectively. However, when asked to bring his team back in the second half, he missed open receivers several times. One of those times was to Ernest Wilford on a play where Wilford was wide open in the end zone. His two interceptions came when he missed open receivers. Although he was able to orchestrate a drive that closed the gap to 21-14 late in the game, Leftwich was unable to pull out the victory.

Jacksonville’s defense played aggressively, and although they recorded just two sacks of Peyton Manning, they succeeded in disrupting his timing with his receivers on many pass plays. However, they allowed some crucial plays that allowed the Colts to score. Both of Indianapolis’ touchdowns were made by players who were untouched as they went into the end zone. The Jaguars played aggressively throughout the game, and did not allow the Colts to muster much of a running game, holding them to 63 yards on the ground.

Indianapolis Colts

Although the Colts’ offense was unable to generate much of a running attack, or showcase their usual prolific passing game, they made enough plays to pull out the win. Indianapolis benefited from a punt return for a touchdown by Terrence Wilkins in the first half, then put together an improved effort on offense and defense in the second half.

The Colts were unsuccessful in their attempts to establish a running game, against a very good Jaguars’ defense. Dominic Rhodes garnered most of the rushing attempts, finishing with 14 of the 17 rushing attempts by running backs. Joseph Addai only carried the ball three times, but one of those carries was on a first down play from the two yard line, however he was stopped for no gain. Both Rhodes and Addai displayed quickness and speed on some plays, but did not turn them into big gains.

Peyton Manning did not have his best statistical game, but did enough to secure the win for his team. He overcame batted passes and constant pressure making plays at critical points in the game to keep drives alive. He finished the game with 14 completions in 31 attempts for 219 yards and one touchdown. Manning’s numbers could have been better, as there were a couple of passes to Marvin Harrison that were broken up due to excellent efforts by the Jaguars’ secondary, although the Colts wanted pass interference called on both plays, one of which was in the end zone. In addition, Manning missed Reggie Wayne on a couple of occasions, and had a 51 yard completion to Wayne overturned when Jacksonville challenged that he had possession before losing the ball. Despite these obstacles, Manning retained his poise and made enough plays to ensure the win, including a quarterback bootleg where he ran in untouched for the score.

The Colts’ defense was a non-factor in the first half, as they had no answer for Jacksonville’s running attack. However, they were able to focus on defending the Jaguars’ passing game once they took the lead in the second half, and effectively pressured Leftwich into several poor throws.

What you ought to know

QB Byron Leftwich, Pass: 16 - 28 - 107 - 1 TD / 2 INT, Rush: 6 - 14 - 1

Leftwich did not have a good game. He missed several open receivers, in large part due to pressure from the Colts’ pass rush, but also due to making poor decisions. He did show the ability to shake off his sub par game and lead the Jaguars to a position where they had an opportunity to tie the score late in the game, but eventually came up short. Leftwich ran fairly well, showing good agility on a four yard touchdown run, and on other occasions when he had to scramble to evade pass rushers, but did not make enough plays with his arm in this game.

RB Fred Taylor, Rush: 21 - 74 - 0, Rec: 1 - -1 - 0 (1 targets)

Taylor ran well during the first half, but did not have as many opportunities in the second half. He showed good quickness in making defenders miss, and was the featured back when Jacksonville was in the red zone during the first half, running the ball six times in the eight plays they ran in the red zone.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Rush: 13 - 103 - 0, Rec: 4 - 32 - 1 (4 targets)

Jones-Drew had the best game of his young NFL career, rushing for over 100 yards, and catching all four passes thrown to him. He displayed great strength and elusiveness, using both traits to gain yards when it appeared he would be stopped, including the reception he turned into his first NFL touchdown. Jones-Drew also demonstrated tremendous explosiveness, turning several plays that began as runs up the middle, outside by evading then running by the Colts’ defenders. He was also effective returning kickoffs.

RB Alvin Pearman, Rec: 1 - 5 - 0 (2 targets)

Pearman was not much of a factor in this game, contributing mostly as a punt returner.

WR Ernest Wilford, Rec: 3 - 32 - 0 (6 targets)

Wilford was asked to work the short to intermediate routes, and did an okay job with the opportunities he was given. He was open in the end zone on a play where Leftwich overthrew him.

WR Reggie Williams, Rec: 2 - 8 - 0 (5 targets)

Although Williams only caught two of the passes thrown to him, a couple were difficult to catch, and the third one resulted in an interception, although he had gotten open deep on the last offensive play of the game for the Jaguars.

WR Matt Jones (1 targets)

Although he played in the game, Jones was not a factor. There was no report whether his groin injury was hampering him, but he was not involved in many of the Jaguars’ pass plays.

TE George Wrighster, Rec: 4 - 25 - 0 (8 targets)

Wrighster was the most targeted of Jacksonville’s receivers. Although he was able to get open several times, he dropped a couple of passes that were catchable, and had a couple of other passes overthrown.

TE Kyle Brady, Rec: 1 - 6 - 0 (1 targets)

Brady was used mostly as a blocker in this game.

TE Marcedes Lewis (1 targets)

Lewis was not a factor in the passing game, and had an untimely penalty at the goal line.

PK Josh Scobee 0 - 2 FG, 2 - 2 XP, 2 points

Scobee had a forgettable game, making both of his point after attempts, but missing both of his field goal attempts, which were from 24 and 49 yards. The 24 yard attempt bounced off the left upright.

JAX Rush Defense

Jacksonville’s rush defense was efficient, giving up a total of 73 yards rushing to Indianapolis’ running backs. However, they came up short at a crucial time, the entire defense biting on a fake to the running back at the two yard line, and allowing Manning to run in untouched for a score.

JAX Pass Defense

Jacksonville’s pass defense was very good. Although they sacked Manning just twice, they applied pressure on him constantly, blitzing frequently. As a result, they were able to force him to hurry some of his throws, and miss receivers at times. The secondary was up to the challenge, although when Manning had some time, the Colts’ receivers were able to get open. Overall, Jacksonville’s defense did a commendable job in holding the Colts’ offensive unit to 14 points.

QB Peyton Manning, Pass: 14 - 31 - 219 - 1 TD / 0 INT, Rush: 3 - 0 - 1

Manning was effective, though not spectacular. He stood in the face of an aggressive Jaguars’ pass rush, and without the benefit of a rushing threat, made enough plays to secure the win for the Colts. Although he overthrew open receivers at times, Manning remained aggressive in his quest for scores, and looked for big plays whenever he was able to buy some time in the pocket. He could easily have had more yards and touchdowns had it not been for outstanding play by Jacksonville’s secondary to break up passes that could have resulted in big gains and scores. Manning pulled off a quarterback bootleg flawlessly, fooling the Jaguars’ defense and easily running in for the score, but it was his game management that won the contest for the Colts.

RB Dominic Rhodes, Rush: 14 - 48 - 0

Rhodes was the primary ball carrier and was the back in the game when the Colts were attempting to run the ball at the end of the game in an effort to eat up the clock and preserve their lead. Rhodes ran with quickness and effort, but did not have an opportunity to break many plays, in large part to Jacksonville’s stout defense, and limited touches.

RB Joseph Addai, Rush: 3 - 15 - 0, Rec: 3 - 13 - 0 (5 targets)

Addai did not have many opportunities to make plays, but did show good quickness and a nice burst on some of the plays when he had the ball in his hands. He did see work in the passing game catching three passes for 13 yards.

WR Marvin Harrison, Rec: 6 - 94 - 0 (10 targets)

Harrison had a good game, getting open deep and on shorter routes against a very good Jaguars secondary. Manning focused on Harrison more in the second half, targeting him eight times in the second half. His numbers could have been even better, as he dropped a deep pass at the two yard line and another fell incomplete in the end zone. He wanted pass interference called on both plays, but both plays were ruled incomplete.

WR Reggie Wayne, Rec: 4 - 82 - 0 (7 targets)

Wayne also played well, and could also have had even better numbers. He made a catch of a 51 yard pass, but it was ruled incomplete, and he was tackled at the two yard line on one of his receptions. Wayne showcased his package of speed and quickness against a very good pass defense.

TE Dallas Clark, Rec: 1 - 30 - 1 (2 targets)

Clark was not featured much in this game, but made the most of his limited opportunities, getting wide open for a touchdown on his lone reception.

PK Martin Gramatica 0 - 0 FG, 3 - 3 XP, 3 points

Gramatica, playing in place of the injured Adam Vinatieri, made all three of his point after attempts. He did not have any field goal attempts.

IND Rush Defense

Indianapolis could not stop the Jaguars’ rushing game in the first half, as the Jaguars’ running backs ran over and by them several times, keeping the defense on the field for the majority of the first half. They rallied somewhat in the latter part of the game, in some part due to Jacksonville switching to more of a passing attack as they attempted to come back from the scoring deficit they faced early in the second half.

IND Pass Defense

Indianapolis’ pass defense was aggressive, especially when called on in the second half. They applied pressure to Leftwich constantly, and contributed to him making several poor throws. The Colts’ secondary did a good job of staying with the Jaguars’ receivers, helped by the pass rush the line and linebackers generated. They capitalized on this by intercepting Leftwich twice, including at the end of the game to seal the victory.