The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Indianapolis Colts Week 1, and they are set for a rematch this week.
While the Jaguars won in the first meeting, the Colts will look different from the Week 1 team that lost at home. Injuries resulted in players missing the first meeting, and the same will be the case in Week 6. The most notable absence for Indianapolis is quarterback Anthony Richardson, who landed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.
Here are five Colts players to watch in their second game against the Jaguars in Week 6:
QB Gardner Minshew II
Gardner Minshew II wouldn’t be the starter in the Colts’ perfect world. Typical starter Anthony Richardson suffered an injury and will be out for the next few weeks, so Minshew is slotted to start in his place.
Luckily for Indianapolis, Minshew is familiar with Jacksonville. Minshew started 20 games for the Jaguars before Trevor Lawrence’s arrival.
Now, he will return to Duval to after getting sporadic playing time throughout this season. Minshew magic is one of the few factors that could result in an upset win in Jacksonville.
Minshew came up with some impressive wins with the Jaguars, and Jacksonville will need to keep the magic at bay in his revenge game.
RB Zack Moss
With Jonathan Taylor finally back for Indianapolis, he should be the starting running back. But Zack Moss has been too good to bench.
Last week, Moss gave his case for why the Colts could have moved on from Taylor. He posted a career game with 165 yards despite Taylor’s return.
This week, Taylor figures to be more involved, but Richardson’s injury means Taylor and Moss could both sustain success on the ground.
WR Michael Pittman Jr.
Michael Pittman Jr. is the clear No. 1 option in Indianapolis. That was evident in the Week 1 matchup between the teams when he posted eight catches for 97 yards and a touchdown. He has the ability to do it again Sunday.
Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell has the skill to slow Pittman, but wasn’t enough to stifle him Week 1.
Without Richardson in the lineup, the offense may be more one-dimensional, and Minshew and the passing attack could be a big part of the plan, especially if Indy falls behind early. If the Colts are looking to air the ball out, Pittman would be the answer.
LB Zaire Franklin
The Colts have a handful of good defensive players, and their linebacker room is a plus. While Shaquille Leonard has been the star of the position group, Zaire Franklin is emerging as an impactful player.
In Week 1, Franklin totaled 17 total tackles and one deflected pass. Franklin’s tackling ability could neutralize Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. and take away big plays in the intermediate passing game.
Franklin has already proven once this season that he can be a force against Jacksonville’s offense.
DE Kwity Paye
The Colts’ pass rush off the edge isn’t great, but Kwity Paye has had a solid season so far. He has three sacks so far this season, and one of those came against Jacksonville.
Paye is a decent pass-rusher and will be facing a Jaguars tackle group of Cam Robinson, who recently returned top the lineup, and rookie Anton Harrison. If Paye has success getting to Lawrence on Sunday, the Jaguars will have trouble pushing the ball downfield.
