Jaguars 37, Colts 20: Game Balls
Bring out the broomsticks, baby.
In their first game at EverBank Stadium since September, the Jacksonville Jaguars man-handled the Indianapolis Colts behind a dominant 21-point second quarter. The Jaguars offense exploded for 107 total yards in the second quarter, securing a lead they would maintain throughout the contest.
The Jaguars have now swept the Colts for the first time since 2017; their second sweep over a divisional opponent since their ill-fated Conference Championship season. Following a week three loss to the Houston Texans, their only other opportunity for a sweep comes against the very same squad they swept last season: the Tennessee Titans.
That, however, lies ahead. On this fourth victory Monday of the season, we still get to relish in the glory of yet another successful Sunday for the Jags.
The defense enjoyed an equally dominant performance; holding the short-handed Colts to just two field goals before quarterback Gardner Minshew found rookie wideout Joshua Downs for six early in the fourth quarter. The usual suspects had their fingerprints all over this one, with edge rushers Josh Allen, Travon Walker and K’Lavon Chaisson combining for two sacks while safeties Andre Cisco and Rayshawn Jenkins each secured an interception.
In likely their best team-effort to date, the Jaguars dominated in all three phases. The special teams unit added 13 points and punted over 200 yards, trapping the Colts in the shadow of their own endzone once in the second quarter.
As the second half became a veritable victory lap for Jacksonville, nearly every player on the roster got a chance to get some playing time and some made the most of their opportunities. For the starters, some truly impressive performances stuck out and proved invaluable in sweeping the Colts.
Let’s meet the custodians.
Offense: RB Travis Etienne Jr.
Despite a relatively humble statline, make no mistake regarding Travis Etienne Jr.’s role in Sunday’s victory. He continues to serve as the spark plug that ignites a Jaguars offense with tantalizingly electric potential.
The third-year running back brought the offense to life early in the second quarter, rushing for a go-ahead score from the 2-yard line with 14:17 left in the first half. He scored his second rushing touchdown before the clock even hit the 14-minute mark.
Following his first score, kicker Brandon McManus booted a kickoff out of the back of the endzone and spotted the Colts at the 25-yard line. On the ensuing play Minshew barely had enough time to get to his second read before he was reintroduced to Josh Allen, who forced a fumble that was recovered at the Indianapolis 22.
Etienne took advantage of the incredible field position from the wildcat, and rushed for a 22-yard score on an option that had nearly every Colt on the field fooled. Guard Luke Fortner got on his horse and rode way out in front of Etienne, clearing a path straight through the few Colts that didn’t bite on the fake, into the endzone.
For the second week in a row, Etienne has scored multiple touchdowns on the ground. The former Clemson Tiger finished the game with 18 carries for 55 yards and three receptions for 28; his fifth of season with at least 18 carries and three catches.
Etienne has not only become a key cog in the Jaguars offensive machine, but also the engine that makes it all go. I consider the offensive line to be the gasoline.
Defense: LB Foyesade Oluokon
Linebacker Foyesade Oluokon doesn’t get nearly enough credit for everything he does that has made this Jaguars defense so formidable in the season’s early-going. While he rarely racks up the ‘flashy’ stats like sacks or interceptions, Oluokon’s impact his evident in every game.
Against the Colts Oluokon not only enjoyed his best performance of the season, but one of his best performances period.
Racking up 15 total tackles, Oluokon was everywhere on Sunday. He secured 10 tackles all by himself, and added a tackle for loss for good measure.
He was equally as dominant guarding the pass, and batted down a pass at the line of scrimmage on the Colts first drive since the aforementioned Minshew fumble resulted in Etienne's second score. The tipped ball was nearly intercepted by Jenkins, and forced the Colts to punt from their own 33-yard line.
He added another pass deflection in the second half, and played a pivotal role on multiple coverage sacks that helped put the Colts to bed. Without Oluokon’s sure tackling and imposing presence over the middle, the entire defense would suffer.
Without Oluokon, you can take away two of those three Jaguars interceptions. With him, you nearly added a fourth.
Special Teams: K Brandon McManus
While return man Jamaal Agnew brought out a Colts kickoff for a return of over 50 yards, it was kicker Brandon McManus’ leg–ironically enough–that stiff-armed the Colts throughout the second half. The offense scored four touchdowns, but only one in the second half; McManus’ leg was essential in maintaining the lead and ultimately securing the Jaguars fourth win of the season.
Through six weeks in the teal and black, McManus has enjoyed a career-revival rarely seen at the kicker position. The former Bronco went 3/3 on field goals and 4/4 on extra points on Sunday, adding 13 points to the scoreboard with his right foot alone.
What surely helped McManus nail kicks from 48, 49 and 51 was a complete lack of any form of pressure. Thanks to a dominant second quarter, McManus’ leg was already warmed up by the time he trotted out to attempt his first field goal… in the third quarter.
McManus is currently making 85.7% of his field goal tries, his best field goal percentage since 2019. Should he continue on his current pace he would finish the season with 34 made field goals, 39 extra points and 141 total points; all three would be the best marks of his career by a wide margin.
