Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Indianapolis Colts nose tackle David Parry, right, during the first half of an NFL football game in Jacksonville, Fla., Sunday, Dec. 13, 2015. With three touchdown passes, Bortles would become the first Jaguars QB with 30 in a season….
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Facing fourth-and-goal at the 1 with 2 minutes remaining, giddy fans gave Jacksonville Jaguars coach Gus Bradley an earful. It was evident most when Antonio Brown returned a punt for a touchdown against the Colts, and jumped on the goal post padding. “I saw [Branch] had bulled [Good] the first time and knew he’d set him down the second time”.
The Colts are tied for the division lead and the Jaguars are only two games back. “I just wanted to us to have a decisive win, and that’s as decisive as it gets”. “I thought the defense played really well in the first half and kept us in it. I think in the second half, we had a touchdown in all three phases, which is impressive”.
Branch hasn’t been dependable this season, but in the Jaguars biggest victory of the year, he was dominant.
The Colts are 30th in defensive yardage allowed and the Jaguars are 23rd. No matter how you look at it the Colts are in the unenviable position of being underdogs today in Jacksonville. Earlier this week Luck said he would only need a couple of practices to get himself in game shape.
Still smoldering after a 51-16 meltdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, Chuck Pagano’s Indianapolis Colts are left to quickly search for answers, as they rapidly clear the rubble.
SICK THEN, SORE NOW: Hasselbeck played sick against Jacksonville in October. It was the rebuilding 4-8 Jacksonville Jaguars entering today’s game-a team with young talent, but still a team that finished just 3-13 a season ago. His punt return against the Titans in week 11 led to the game winning score.
Bortles also scored his first rushing touchdown of the season on a quarterback sneak. If this year’s Colts team doesn’t follow the model of the 2006 team after a road loss to the Jaguars, they very well may follow the model of the 2011 team after a road loss in Jacksonville. He threw two interceptions, was sacked twice and took two awkward hits that left him with a stiff neck and a mild rib separation. He doesn’t play on defense or special teams either.
In 2015, it has been the improved passing game of Bortles and his great receiving talent of wideouts Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, along with Thomas, that has given the Jaguars more hope than they have had in several seasons.
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-Jaguars CB Davon House vs. Colts WRs T.Y. Hilton and Andre Johnson. Jaguars rookie Jason Myers missed his league-leading seventh extra point.
