The Jacksonville Jaguars will be in Indianapolis this weekend to break in Lucas Oil Stadium for the 2023 season.
The Jaguars just had their most successful year since they made the 2017 AFC Championship. The Colts, on the other hand, had a season to forget. Still, they’ve got young talent they’re hoping can develop into players of the future.
Buy Jaguars TicketsHere are five Colts players the Jaguars will need to watch out for in their week one matchup:
QB Anthony Richardson
Rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson is the key to victory for the Colts, and if the Jaguars want to win, they’ll have to slow Richardson.
The former Florida Gator made a name for himself in college as a big play waiting to happen. He ran through and past defenders on the regular, and he figures to be the same in the NFL.
Jacksonville doesn’t have much tape on Richardson, but Jaguars linebacker Foye Oluokun said the team has kept an eye on him in the preseason.
“A lot of times people might give up on a play early for the running quarterback, but just staying on your feet when he pump fakes if he does, be able to break down his stiff arm when he escapes the pocket,” Oluokun said. “Just really treating him like a runner when he’s running outside the pocket with the ball in his hands.”
WR Alec Pierce
Second-year wide receiver Alec Pierce could be a threat to Jacksonville’s defense when the teams meet Sunday. Michael Pittman Jr. is the unquestioned No. 1 receiver; however, Pierce had a solid rookie year and the Jaguars know first-hand that he can be a dangerous deep threat.
Pierce ran a 4.41 in the 40-yard dash and has strong hands. Tyson Campbell should be able to limit Pittman, so it’ll be up to the rest of the Jaguars to contain Pierce.
Some combination of Darious Williams, Tre Herndon, and Andre Cisco will need to work to prevent Pierce from getting past the secondary. If they can prevent the big plays to Pierce, Richardson may not have many downfield targets.
CB Kenny Moore II
There’s no doubt cornerback Kenny Moore II is coming off a year to forget. However, he figures to be one of the veteran voices of the Colts’ defense and made the Pro Bowl in 2021.
If he looks like his 2022 self, the Jaguars should have their way with the cornerback. However, if he returns to his Pro Bowl caliber play, he could have the slot locked down.
Whoever the Jags have lined up in the slot — most likely Christian Kirk — will need to set the tone early against the veteran Moore.
DL DeForest Buckner
Veteran defensive lineman DeForest Buckner is maybe the best player on the Colts’ roster. Buckner will be matched up with Jacksonville’s interior offensive line, primarily Brandon Scherff and Luke Fortner.
Scherff is a proven veteran and should be able to hold his own. Fortner, however, is in only his second year in the NFL. The center had an up-and-down rookie year in 2022 and will have his hands full keeping Buckner from reaching quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Scherff will need to slow Buckner and help Fortner do the same to protect Lawrence. If Lawrence doesn’t have time to throw, Sunday’s game could slip through the Jaguars’ fingers.
LB Shaquille Leonard
At his best, Shaquille Leonard is one of the NFL’s best linebackers. He’s an elite tackler and a solid coverage linebacker too.
Like Buckner, Leonard is a key to the Colts’ defensive success. He’ll give Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne Jr. all they can handle.
Etienne will need to do his best to avoid Leonard if he wants to have a productive rushing day. Because if Leonard gets his hands on Etienne, the Jaguar will have trouble breaking free. And Lawrence will have to keep an eye on Leonard in the middle of the field. If he hangs a receiver out to dry, Leonard will be there to make him pay.
