For the second straight week it looked like the Indianapolis Colts had sealed the deal late in the game with yet another winning field goal.
So much for that thought, as an already suspect Colts secondary succumbed to what can only be described as blown coverage and total confusion (kind words for it) amongst those in the defensive backfield as they handed Jacksonville a big play to put a bow on what the sell-out crowd in attendance had to view as a total collapse.
“Until the clock reads zero you have to keep playing in this league,” said a somber and obviously disappointed Colts head coach Chuck Pagano after the game. “We ran out of bodies, but that is no excuse, so credit Jacksonville for hanging tough.”
Indeed they did, as Blaine Gabbert hit Cecil Shorts III in stride on the ensuing possession and he romped untouched to an 80-yard score that made Lucas Oil Stadium eerily quiet in the process and gave the Jaguars a well-deserved victory.
Jacksonville started the game with a methodical slow drive that ate up half of the opening period, producing the first score of the day on a 44-yard field goal from Josh Scobee. The Colts would counter, taking 3:31 off of the clock with a six play, 74 yard drive that would culminate in a 40 yard touchdown pass from Andrew Luck to T.Y. Hilton which provided a 7-3 lead at the end of the first period. Indianapolis would hold a relatively listless Jacksonville offense to no points in the second period and when Luck and company engineered a 14-play, 80-yard drive in which he found running back Mewelde Moore for a 4-yard touchdown, Indianapolis was in control at the half by a count of 14-3.
The third period would show just how vulnerable the Colts defensive unit is, as after a quick unproductive series on offense, Indianapolis stood and gazed as Maurice Jones-Drew rambled 59 yards untouched to draw the Jags to within four points at 14-10.
The Colts would continue to sputter on offense and when Scobee connected for the Jags on another field goal, Jacksonville was trailing by only a point at the end of three periods. The final stanza would find the Colts offensive unit operating at an equally unproductive level and Scobee would connect again giving Jacksonville the lead at 17-16.
Indianapolis would finally find some traction offensively and when Adam Vinatieri stuck one just inside the left upright the Colts appeared to have things in the win column with just 37 ticks left on the game clock. The Jaguars however had different thoughts, and Gabbert stuck the dagger in by hitting a totally uncovered Shorts for the game winner.
NOTES: The Colts were penalized 11 times for 106 yards. All those mental mistakes cannot be blamed on the replacement officials who continued their poor performance throughout the league.
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Maurice Jones-Drew continued his career long mastery of the Indianapolis defense with 177 rushing yards. Hard to believe the Jags owner rebuffed this guy on a contract extension. He has earned it.
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Andrew Luck completed 22 of 28 passes for 313 yards and two scores. While he looked confused at times (who wouldn’t behind that offensive line) he again demonstrated great mobility rushing for 50 yards. To his credit, Luck took responsibility after the game, deflecting criticism of his teammates.
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Austin Collie left the game with a knee injury, one in the opinion of this humble scribe that should not have occured. It is time for the Colts to waive Collie from the active roster and put a halt to the obvious risk of further concussions. Had they done that, Collie’s knee would be fine.
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The Colts will have an off week before returning to action on Oct. 7 when the Green Bay Packers come to town. The sold out contest can be viewed locally on Fox affiliate WXIN 59.
Danny Bridges, who thinks Edgerrin James was as physically tough as any running back that ever played the game, can be reached at (317) 578-1780 or at Bridgeshd@aol.com.
