The Colts will do battle with the Jaguars on Sunday and here’s how they’ll get the job done.
On Sunday, the Indianapolis Colts will be looking for revenge against the Jacksonville Jaguars after the division rivals won last year’s Week 17 matchup by a score of 38-20.
On the Colts’ side in that one, Jacoby Brissett struggled and only threw for 162 yards with no touchdowns while the running game was held in check. The bread and butter of the Colts is getting the running game going behind the No. 1- ranked offensive line and then executing play action passes with T.Y. Hilton going deep and burning the defense. The defense struggled in pass protection, which led to the high score. However, the one bright spot was Anthony Walker logging 17 tackles with 12 solo and five for a loss.
Now, as we’re here ready for Week 1 in 2020, it’s a completely different story.
Chris Ballard went out and filled all the holes from last season with players who we desperately needed. Ballard drafted Wisconsin running back Jonathon Taylor and USC receiver Michael Pittman Jr. and signed Philip Rivers in free agency. Then, in a blockbuster trade, the Colts got DeForest Buckner from the San Francisco 49ers to fill the need for interior pressure.
The Jaguars have lost some key players, notably running back Leonard Fournette, defensive end Yannick Ngakoue, and cornerback Rashaan Melvin, while the Colts have only gotten better.
Here are the three keys to victory for the Colts, who need to start off 2020 with a statement win.
3. Rushing Attack
The Colts’ two-headed monster of Marlon Mack and Jonathan Taylor should crush.
The Colts’ strength is their rushing attack and the ability to control the pace offensively against their opponents. For all the failures they had last year, particularly in the second half of the season, many forget the huge win on Sunday Night Football against the Chiefs at Arrowhead stadium. The Colts were without Darius Leonard and Malik Hooker and still held the Chiefs to 13 points while beating them on the ground. The rushing attack is the most important key to the victory with a veteran quarterback.
In the blocking department, Quenton Nelson is the most important player on the Colts right now. The third-year player hasn’t allowed a sack in 30 straight games and provides pancake highlight reels. Nelson can pull and pass block, and his awareness is some of the best in the at the guard position.
Last season, Jacksonville allowed a 5.1 yards per carry on the ground and that number increased to 5.7 YPC against the Colts. In the victory against them, the Colts running game had nearly every player logging at least some yardage. Jordan Wilkins led the team with 116 yards, Marlon Mack had 109, Nyheim Hines registered 11, and even Chester Rodgers recorded 18 yards. While Jacoby Brissett, again, only threw 148 yards, the difference was the rushing game and the ability to move the ball on the ground with ease, leading to a 20-point victory.
Pound the ball on the ground. Open up the passing game. Give the defense ample rest. That’s a recipe for victory.
2. Aggression in the Secondary
The Colts need to be physical against the Jaguars’ receivers right off the line.
It’s no secret the Achilles heel of this team is the secondary. However, there are two players in particular that I feel will improve exponentially. Khari Willis and Rock Ya-Sin will surprise many this year.
Willis, the second-year safety, is extremely fast, and if he can hone in his tackling skills, he will be a key piece for this defense. His speed and aggression should go a long way in helping create a new identity for this unit.
Ya-Sin didn’t have a great rookie season, but he did start 13 games and will be a full-time starter again in 2020 with a full year under his belt. Assuming he gets help from veterans Xavier Rhodes and TJ Carrie as well as a new and improve pass rush, the young cornerback should make big strides in year two
Indianapolis needs play tough one-on-one defense and ensure the safeties are ready to pounce and make plays on balls in the air or stuff runs before they get past the next level. Playing press-man coverage will get the receivers jammed at the line and disrupt them from running their routes.
Jacksonville doesn’t have a lot of speed on their offense, but they do have excellent route runners and players who can get in and out of their cuts very fast.
1. Pass Protection
Giving Philip Rivers time will help the Colts score a ton.
Jacksonville has recently gotten rid of their star-studded defense and replaced the unit with a host of free agents. The defense that took them to the 2018 AFC Championship Game is a figment of your imagination now. The Colts need to take advantage of that by providing Rivers with excellent pass protection.
Last season, Rivers struggled mightily under pressure, but we know what he can do with time in the pocket. The Colts have the best offensive line the league and they need to use it to their advantage.
The main issue with the passing game last year was the lack of aggressive deep throws from Jacoby Brissett. The Colts were winning games by 20 points with Brissett throwing under 200 yards.
Many Colts fans have doubt with the team’s decision to go with Rivers and, in particular, to pay him $25 million for a single season. However, this team has all the pieces to be a contender. Put an experienced veteran like Rivers under center with a top OL, a potent rushing attack, and weapons in the receiving game, and a playoff run is realistic.
Show the world Week 1 that all of this can be executed against the Jaguars and then we’re cookin’.
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