Jaguars 31, Colts 21: Game Balls
The Jacksonville Jaguars are back and looking better than ever.
The Jaguars enjoyed their first opening week victory since 2020 on Sunday following an exhilarating 31-21 performance against the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars eventually shined in all three phases of the game despite a strong start from the Colts’ defensive line and an impressive debut from rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
The offense met or exceeded just about every expectation set for them with nearly 350 total yards and four scores. The connection between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wideout Calvin Ridley appears to be, as predicted, scorching-hot right out of the gates as the pair produced a touchdown and 101 yards through the air.
The Jaguars defense dominated as well, holding the short-handed Colts to just two offensive touchdowns on their 14 drives. The team recorded four sacks and forced three turnovers as multiple familiar names had strong showings. The pass-rush tandem of Trevon Walker and Josh Allen outclassed Indianapolis’ front five, while cornerback Tyson Campbell had one of his best games as a professional.
On special teams kicks were sure and returners were timely as the unit stepped up big late in the game to help put this one away for Jacksonville. Kicker Brandon McManus silenced much of the noise surrounding his departure from Denver this offseason, and punter Logan Cooke was launching footballs as usual.
With so many players having crucial roles in yesterday’s win, it only feels right to reaffirm that the game balls handed out here don’t mean others didn’t play exceptional as well. With that, three Jaguars truly stood out from the crowd against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday -- three you may be very familiar with.
Offense: WR Calvin Ridley
Are you not entertained?
The Colts’ secondary certainly wasn’t after Ridley’s debut with the Jaguars, and if you played him in fantasy like I did it definitely left a sour aftertaste. In his first game since the suspension that sidelined him for over a year, the fifth-year veteran made a statement with eight catches for over 100 receiving yards and a touchdown; the team’s first of the new campaign.
On the team’s second drive Ridley had already collected three balls in the span of five plays when Lawrence hit him right in the chest in the endzone for the aforementioned score. Looking Ridley’s way when the play broke down became commonplace throughout the contest for the third-year Clemson product, who targeted the former Falcon 11 times.
It appears as though he hasn’t lost a single step, as he easily dominated a lack-luster Colts secondary as the team’s primary option. Sunday confirmed what the Jaguars have known all summer; Calvin Ridley is not only a true number one wide receiver, he is one of most dynamic playmakers in the entire NFL.
Defense: EDGE Josh Allen
It’s hard to remember Josh Allen having a better game donning the teal and gold for good reason; he hasn’t had one.
The former Kentucky Wildcat had a monster performance; he tied his career-best mark in tackles with ten total, and set a new one in sacks with three. He poured on an additional three tackles for loss and two quarterback hits to make a convincing case for AFC Defensive Player of the Week.
Allen, like Ridley, had something to say on Sunday after failing to be named a team captain for the first time in his professional career. He responded with a performance that landed him the lead in sacks across the league, tied with the likes of T.J. Watt and Drake Jackson, and he's got all the ingredients for a breakout season that’s already well underway.
Josh Allen has set a new standard for himself at the onset of his fourth season, and one that the organization hopes will continue to result in box scores like yesterday’s.
Special Teams: PR Jamaal Agnew
Despite solid showings from both McManus and Cooke, it was Jamaal Agnew who made the biggest plays on special teams for the Jaguars on Sunday.
Trailing 21-17 with eleven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Agnew received a Colts punt on his own 6-yard line. The starting offense took the field on Indianapolis' 46 thanks to a 48-yard return from the seventh-year man, his second return of 20 yards or more against the Colts.
Following Agnew’s crucial return, the offense drove down the field and punched in the score that would give them the lead for the remainder of the contest. Without Agnew’s fourth-quarter heroics, this game likely ends much differently.
