The Jacksonville Jaguars made it three wins in a row and improved to 4-2 on the year with a 37-20 win against the Indianapolis Colts.
While the Colts got out in front early with a 13-play opening drive that ended with a field goal, the Jaguars didn’t take long to take over. In a three-play span, Travis Etienne Jr. scored a 2-yard touchdown, Josh Allen forced a fumble that was recovered by Angelo Blackson, and Etienne scored a 22-yard touchdown.
Just like that, the Jaguars’ three-point deficit turned into a double-digit lead that Jacksonville never relinquished.
After keeping the Colts out of the end zone for the first three quarters, the Jaguars allowed a few big plays late that allowed Indianapolis to score two touchdowns and cut into what was once a 25-point lead. But the Jaguars made a few plays late to make sure they secured the win.
The Jaguars have now won nine straight home games against the Colts and are in sole possession of first place in the AFC South. Here’s how the Week 6 victory went down:
Jaguars MVP of the game: Pass defense
J-Villains cleaning up!#INDvsJAX on CBS/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/01uPA5jvEE
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 15, 2023
It wasn’t a perfect day for the secondary. After the departure of Tyson Campbell due to a hamstring injury, the Colts picked on second-year defensive back Montaric “Buster” Brown a bit and Minshew threw for more than 300 yards on the day.
But the Jaguars’ pass rush caused problems for Minshew and the secondary took advantage of his mistakes. Andre Cisco, Rayshawn Jenkins, and Darious Williams all got interceptions, and Devin Lloyd might’ve had one or two himself if he had 10 fingers.
Colts MVP of the game: CB JuJu Brents
Juju Brents with the first interception of his career. #Colts#ForTheShoe#Jaguars#DUUUVAL#INDvsJAX pic.twitter.com/n9oXEJa5Cc
— Chris Shepherd (@NFLscheme) October 15, 2023
Five weeks after the Colts got shredded by Calvin Ridley to the tune of 92 yards before halftime, they did much better in the rematch. Ridley was held to 30 receiving yards on the day.
Brents wasn’t the only reason, but the rookie did well in coverage and got his first career interception.
Jaguars play of the game: Josh Allen's strip sack
Oh yeah, 41!@JoshAllen41_ | #INDvsJAX on CBS/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/jOup3bA7Oa
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 15, 2023
The Jaguars offense was methodical early in the game and got some impressive plays from Travis Etienne Jr., Evan Engram, and Christian Kirk. But the biggest momentum shift happened early in the second quarter and that was mostly thanks to outside linebacker Josh Allen.
Allen recorded his seventh sack of the year by dipping around the left tackle and chopping at the arm of his former teammate, Gardner Minshew. The ball sprung free and Angelo Blackson was Johnny-on-the-spot for the recovery.
After a back-and-forth first quarter, Allen’s big play turned the tides in a major way.
It was over when ... Darious Williams intercepted Gardner Minshew II
4th down end zone INT for Darious Williams!
📺: #INDvsJAX on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/B4mQvLOt8O pic.twitter.com/5VQonTQpwb— NFL (@NFL) October 15, 2023
The Colts showed sudden signs of life in the second half when they converted a fourth down deep in their own territory, connected on a 40-yard bomb, and got their first touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter. Jacksonville threatened to allow it to snowball when Trevor Lawrence threw an interception on a miscommunication with Christian Kirk.
But with Indianapolis in the red zone, the Jaguars defense held. The nail in the coffin was a fourth down interception by Darious Williams — his third in as many games — that kept Jacksonville’s lead at 18 points.
Stat that says it all: Jaguars +3 turnover margin
Make the play when it comes your way 😤@andrecisco7 | #INDvsJAX on CBS/NFL+ pic.twitter.com/LWcKpfz2Ta
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) October 15, 2023
The Jaguars offense took care of business and mostly avoided the mistakes that have plagued them early in the season. The only miscue was a miscommunication between Trevor Lawrence and Christian Kirk that resulted in an easy interception for JuJu Brents.
The defense took advantage of plenty more errors made by the Colts.
You won’t see the Jaguars lose many games when they get a clear win in the turnover margin like Sunday.
What's next?
The Jaguars have a short week ahead of them with a Thursday night road game against the New Orleans Saints up next. The Saints played the Houston Texans in Week 6 and lost 20-13.
