1 best and 1 worst thing from Colts' victory over Jaguars

1 best and 1 worst thing from Colts’ victory over Jaguars

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - JANUARY 03: Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled by Chris Claybrooks #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars during the first quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 03, 2021 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

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Indianapolis Colts defensive end Kwity Paye (51) and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner (99) bring down Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16). /

The best thing from Colts’ win against Jaguars: Third Down Defense

The Indianapolis defense didn’t have their best day on Sunday, giving up 331 total yards, 152 passing and 179 rushing. Despite that, they were special on third down, repeatedly stepping up when it was time to get off the field.

The Colts’ defense only allowed Jacksonville to convert 5-of-15 third down attempts. Of the 10 attempts that Jacksonville failed to convert, four were with three or fewer yards to go, meaning Indianapolis was able to dig deep and make huge short-yardage stops.

This is a skill that will be very useful for the team moving forward. Down the stretch of the season, and into the playoffs, many games are decided on pivotal third downs. Having a defense that knows how to execute one more play and get off the field is crucial. It not only keeps them fresh, but it gives the ball back to the offense, creating more opportunities to score.

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