The Indianapolis Colts (2-2-1) returned home in week six for their third game in Lucas Oil Stadium this year to host the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-3). The Colts came into the game leading the series 26 wins to 17, but the Jaguars had already won earlier in the season, 24-0 in week 2. The Colts were 1.5-point favorites.

Indianapolis held out in a nail-biter, winning 34-27. Both teams opened on offense by trading punts, then after the Colts went 3-and-out, the Jaguars got into the end zone with a quarterback sneak from Trevor Lawrence. The Colts were able to muster a chip-shot field goal, but Jacksonville responded a few plays later with a 61-yard rushing touchdown by JaMycal Hasty. After a few punts, Indianapolis was finally able to get into the end zone on a Parris Campbell reception. The Colts kicked another field goal as the half wound down to end the first half down 14-13.

Both offenses came out of the locker room hot, as Trevor Lawrence punched it in from the two-yard line for his second rushing touchdown, then Deon Jackson scored for the Colts from three yards out, and Indianapolis attempted a two-point conversion to tie it but failed.

After a long Jaguars drive when they were stuffed on fourth down, the Colts scored again via a Jelani Woods 10-yard catch to take their first lead of the game. Jacksonville came back with an impressive 18-play drive that ended with a Christian Kirk touchdown with 2:44 left, but Matt Ryan heated up and led a touchdown drive highlighted by a 32-yard touchdown to Alec Pierce with 17 seconds left to put the game away.

With both of the Colts’ running backs out in Jonathan Taylor and Nyheim Hines, Matt Ryan stepped up with his biggest game of the season, breaking the franchise’s single game record for completions. He went 42-58 with 389 yards and three touchdowns. Deon Jackson was the leading rusher for Indianapolis with 12 carries for 42 yards. Jackson and Michael Pittman, Jr. both posted double-digit receptions, as Pittman had a career-high 13 catches, resulting in 134 yards. Trevor Lawrence was very efficient, completing 20 of his 22 pass attempts, but only for 165 yards. The Jaguars had three rushers over 50 yards each. 

Final: IND 34-27 JAX

Analysis

Matt Ryan had his best game in a long time this week, and it was desperately needed in a game that proved to be huge for the season, considering that the leading rusher was Deon Jackson. There weren’t too many offensive mistakes, and they didn’t turn the ball over. Ryan didn’t even get sacked, which was a pleasant surprise.

Maybe the ever-changing offensive line rotation has finally found a fit that works, but it’ll be important to see how things play out next week with the hopeful return of Jonathan Taylor, and how the run-blocking holds up with one of the league’s elite rushers back in the lineup. Overall, not too much to complain about as a fan for week six.

Around the Division

While the Colts and Jaguars battled it out Sunday, the other two AFC South teams, the Texans and Titans, had bye weeks. This week was crucial for the Colts to improve their standing in the division, and the Jaguars somewhat lost out on their chance to take control of it. Indianapolis remains second in the South with a 3-2-1 record, behind the 3-2 Titans. 

Looking Ahead

The Colts have a huge matchup upcoming this week against the Titans, with the winner taking the lead in the division. Tennessee is the home favorite, opening as 3.5-point favorites. The Titans are heating up with 3 straight wins, but the Colts will hopefully get some key pieces back in Jonathan Taylor, Nyheim Hines, and Shaquille Leonard.

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