Disaster in Duval yet again for the Colts.
Despite late-game heroics from Alec Pierce to fuel a comeback bid, the Colts lost 37-34 in Jacksonville for the 10th consecutive time.
“We can’t wait until the fourth quarter,” head coach Shane Steichen said after the game. “Our guys battle, and fight, and scratch, and claw…this was a tough one today.”
The Colts were down two touchdowns with 5:09 to play, before a miraculous pair of offensive drives saw them surge back to a tie game. Ultimately, Jacksonville was able to get into field goal range late, and steal their first win of the season.
“You’re going to play games like this,” said 17-year veteran quarterback Joe Flacco after his first start for the Colts. “You’ve got to be able to dig deep and find ways to win.”
Although he struggled at times, Flacco positioned Indy in a perfect spot to end the streak. His 359 passing yards and three touchdowns would normally be enough to win the game.
The defense just couldn’t come through.
The Colts allowed 497 total yards, as the Jacksonville offense moved the ball at will. Trevor Lawrence breezed through the game without being pressured once.
Consistent with the defensive issues so far this season the explosive plays were the biggest killer. Two of Jacksonville’s touchdowns came from beyond 50 yards, and a 61-yard catch by Christian Kirk set up another.
“We gotta learn how to win multiple ways,” defensive captain Zaire Franklin said after the game. “We done won a couple dog fights. We gotta learn how to win the shootouts.”
Each time the Colts’ offense would pull within a score, Gus Bradley’s defense would allow one of their own, putting Flacco & Co. right back where they started.
“We gotta do our part,” Franklin said. “That’s the moral of the story.”
Still, the offense dropped a big opportunity to potentially take the lead going into halftime. Jaylon Jones forced a fumble from Gabe Davis, only for Flacco to be strip-sacked three plays later. Jacksonville added a field goal and took a three-point lead into the break.
But the defensive deterioration is overwhelmingly more significant than one missed opportunity.
Indianapolis is now 2-3, and is winless through two divisional games. The Colts can get that important first AFC South win next week when they travel to Nashville to take on the Titans.
Meanwhile, the wait for a road win in Jacksonville stretches to a decade.
HN's NFL Power Rankings: Week 16
