Even though they've been bottom-feeders for most of their history, the Jacksonville Jaguars have often been a thorn in the Indianapolis Colts' side. They're 28-22 all-time against them, but just 10-15 on the road.
That's why watching what Liam Coen did with Trevor Lawrence last season might be a terrible omen for Shane Steichen and company. Not only did he prove to be a great coach with a bright offensive mind, but he may finally unleash the former No. 1 pick and help him fulfill his true potential.
Lawrence has never strung two good seasons together, so there's no telling which version of him we'll get in 2026. That said, some continuity with Coen, plus Travis Hunter's return, could spell trouble in Indianapolis.
Trevor Lawrence is a major problem for the Indianapolis Colts
Even with his glaring struggles, Lawrence has had the Colts' number. He's 7-2 against them, and he's thrown for 2,085 yards with 13 touchdowns against just four interceptions, posting a 100.3 passer rating in nine career games vs. Indianapolis.
He's coming off a strong season, throwing for 4,214 total yards, 32 scores, and 14 picks in 17 regular-season games and a close playoff loss to Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. He was instrumental in leading the team to an impressive 13-4 season.
Truth be told, Lawrence has a legitimate case for being the best quarterback in the AFC South right now. That's a lot to say for a division that features two No. 1 picks and a No. 2 pick, even if he's the most experienced.
He entered the league as one of the most hyped prospects in history, often drawing comparisons to Peyton Manning. Manning was atrocious as a rookie before becoming one of the greatest of all time, and having Lawrence be a late-bloomer would be a disaster for Manning's former team.
As for Coen, he's just another example of the league trending toward younger, less experienced coaches. He turned some heads with his work with Baker Mayfield, and he gave his new team what the Colts thought they would be getting with Shane Steichen.
The Colts also showed that they could hold their ground against anybody last season, at least during the first half of the campaign. They were 0-2 against Jacksonville, but both of those matchups took place after Daniel Jones' injury, so one should take them with a grain of salt.
Regardless, with Steichen likely on his last leg in Indianapolis and all the uncertainty around Jones and how he'll return from injury, their Week 8 road matchup with the Jaguars might be the best barometer for truly determining whether this team has what it takes to go the distance.
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