Colts Escape Jaguars in Overtime, 16-13

The Indianapolis Colts need two missed field goals from the Jacksonville Jaguars to eek out a home win in overtime. The Colts took the field without Andrew Luck who was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Jaguars kicker Jason Myers had a chance to win the game in regulation but pushed the ball just right on a 53-yard field goal attempt. He then missed a 48-yard attempt in overtime that set the Colts up with great field position.

Matt Hasselbeck, making his first start in three years, hit Coby Fleener for a 28 yard pass to open what would be the game winning drive. At the edge of Adam Vinatieri‘s field goal range, Frank Gore rattled off a 22-yard run that turned a long range attempt into a gimme for the 42-year old kicker.

Vinatieri also hit a field goal from 54 yards out in the first quarter, once again proving he still has plenty of leg.

Neither offense wanted to take over Sunday’s game as both team’s struggled to move the ball into their opponent’s territory. The two teams were a combined 14-for-33 on third down attempts.

Hasselbeck completed 30-of-47 passing attempts for 282 yards and a touchdown. Fleener was his favorite target, finishing the day with nine receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown.

Gore struggled to find room to operate until late in the game and finished with just 53 rushing yards. He also had five receptions for 34 yards (as well as a few drops).

The Colts had a shot to take a late lead in the fourth, but a Gore fumble on the goal line turned the ball over to the Jaguars. It wasn’t the only turnover as Josh Robinson had one early in the second quarter with the ball at midfield.

Defensively, the Colts struggled to pressure Blake Bortles in the pocket and the secondary was once again tested all afternoon.

For the time being, the Colts sit at 2-2 and atop the AFC South. They’ll have a short week before heading southwest to face the Houston Texans on Thursday night football. Hopefully Luck will be healthy enough to play by then.