The Indianapolis Colts are playing the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 5 at EverBank Field, and are seeking to build on their two-game winning streak. Unfortunately, the Colts have not fared well in Jacksonville; they haven't won a game there in over 10 years. It's a notorious curse the Colts are looking to break today.
However, despite a perfect opening drive led by backup QB Joe Flacco, the Colts trail the Jaguars by three points at the half.
The Jaguars clearly prepared for Gus Bradley's zone-heavy defense, calling for deeper routes between quarterback Trevor Lawrence and running back Travis Etienne. Despite some mistakes from the Jaguars, such as a poor call from head coach Doug Pederson to go for it on fourth and short, the Colts haven't managed to recapture the easy progress they made on their opening drive. The defense, too, has not done well at containing the Jaguars; Trevor Lawrence threw an 85 yard touchdown pass to Brian Thomas Jr. to take the lead. The Colts were able to get a field goal to tie it up.
Unfortunately, later in the second quarter Flacco was strip-sacked by Jacksonville edge rusher Travon Walker, and Josh Hines-Allen recovering the loose ball. That led to a Jaguars field goal that put them in the lead.
Flacco has mostly had a good game so far, throwing for 132 yards in the first half while completing 17 of his 21 passes. Josh Downs continued to be a favorite receiver of his, with six catches for 60 yards. The only Colts touchdown of the game was due to a 1-yard touchdown from Michael Pittman Jr., and they had a successful field goal from Matt Gay.
The Colts are without their star player on offense - Jonathan Taylor - as well as numerous defenders. Trey Sermon and Tyler Goodson are taking Taylor's place and have been competent, if not as explosive as Taylor has been so far this season.