Colts squeak out a win over the Jaguars in overtime for Week 18

After a promising first half, the Indianapolis Colts were looking to keep their momentum alive and bring home a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars to close the 2024 season. One problem the Colts have consistently had this season has been strong performances in the first and second quarters, only for the team to completely fall apart in the end of the game. (Head coach Shane Steichen admitted this was a problem, but, worryingly, said he didn't know why this happens.)

Would this happen again in their last game of the season?

The Jaguars started the second half receiving the ball, but the Colts defense shut them down quickly. There had been some questions from fans on social media about Sam Ehlinger, saying with this being a meaningless game, he should get some snaps, but it was Joe Flacco who took the field again. And in the Colts' first drive, they -- like the Jaguars -- went three and out.

It seemed the Jaguars were set to go three and out again, until on 3rd and 10, Mac Jones threw a deep pass into the end zone, which was easily intercepted by Julian Blackmon.

Despite starting at their own 11 yard line, the Colts steadily drove up the field, getting into Jacksonville territory with productive runs from Jonathan Taylor, and a few good passes from Flacco. Unfortunately, the strong start quickly sputtered to a stop with two incomplete passes from Flacco, forcing a 51-yard field goal attempt from Matt Gay, which was no good.

Luckily for the Colts, Jacksonville again went three and out.

Indianapolis seem poised to follow suit until Flacco connected with Josh Downs on third down, giving them the first down. Already having been sacked in this game, Flacco came under heavy pressure again as the pocket collapsed, and he was forced to throw the ball away. On second down, he got a completed pass to Jonathan Taylor, but it wasn't enough for the first down; this brought an end to the third quarter.

The Colts were facing 3rd and 7, and Flacco attempted a pass to Kylen Granson that was incomplete.

After a quiet third quarter, the Jaguars finally broke the three and out curse, getting a first down to push them down the field. Nick Cross immediately stepped in for a big play, though, when Mac Jones tossed it to Travis Etienne. Cross was there to keep him from gaining anything, and pushed him back for a loss of seven. Jones recovered with a deep pass, though, that got the Jaguars the first down.

Once in Indianapolis territory, it seemed that the Jaguars had run out of steam on third down, but with 11 yards to go, they were able to run right past the Colts defense and get the first down. Once again, the Jaguars were in the red zone, though, and the Jaguars got a touchdown in the most bizarre way: Jones threw to Parker Washington, who caught the ball, lost it, recovered it, and then crossed the goal line.

Unsurprisingly, that play was immediately under review, and referees upheld the touchdown, making it a tie game.

Jonathan Taylor came out with an explosive run, easily getting the first down and more, before Flacco connected with Downs into Jacksonville territory, for an 18-yard gain. Taylor got the handoff again and went nowhere, but a high pass from Flacco was miraculously caught by Michael Pittman, Jr. just short of the first down. On 4th and 1, they chose to go for it, only for a flag to be thrown, with both teams signaling at each other. It ended up being a delay of game penalty on the offense, and Matt Gay again came out to attempt a 45-yard field goal. It was good, giving Indianapolis a three-point lead.

With just over 2:00 left to go, the Jaguars were scrambling down the field in a last-ditch attempt to get into the lead, though they easily got into field goal range. A potentially deadly pass was broken up by E.J. Speed, who jumped up and was able to tip it. That brought out Jaguars kicker Cam Little, who was able to make a 53-yard field goal to tie the game.

Flacco and the Colts offense came out on the field with less tham 1:30 left in the game, needing get at least into field goal range to keep the game from going into overtime. They were moving surprisingly slowly, wasting about half of their time on just one play while the few fans who came to the game booed.

On 3rd and 2 with less than :30 left, Flacco was sacked. Again, the crowd booed as the Colts offense left the field and punted the ball away, and the game went into overtime.

The Colts started overtime with the ball, and Flacco threw a bomb to Pittman, only for referees to rule it incomplete. His second attempted pass was tipped, and that brought the Colts to third down. This time, he made it with a 19-yard pass to Alec Pierce on the sideline, giving them the first down.

Taylor ran the next two plays, getting the Colts the first down and into Jaguars territory, and they continued to rely on him over the next six plays. Then, on 3rd and 5, Flacco threw for Downs, which was incomplete; Downs signaled to the referees for pass interference, but no flag was thrown. Instead, Matt Gay kicked a field goal, putting the Colts up 26-23.

The Jaguars got the ball again, and they needed to score - either a touchdown to win, or a field goal to extend overtime. Unfortunately for Jaguars fans, Mac Jones was not able to do anything, and on third down, Zaire Franklin got an epic sack - putting the Jaguars at 4th and 22 if they wanted to keep the game alive. Jones was able to get a completion, but it was far short of what they needed for a first down, putting an end to the game and to a disastrous season for both teams.