10 thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts' 37-20 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars

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Nate Atkins
Indianapolis Star


JACKSONVILLE - Ten thoughts on the Colts' 37-20 loss to the Jaguars at Everbank Stadium to fall to 3-3:

1. The Colts never play their best football in Jacksonville. Sometimes it makes no sense, like when they needed to beat a two-win team to reach the playoffs in 2021; and sometimes it does, like this game.

The matchup was never in Indianapolis' favor, with a backup quarterback who doesn't have a run threat, a run-first offense going up against the NFL's best run defense, the warm settings of Jacksonville and the way they play into Trevor Lawrence's hands and the bind the Colts defense is in trying to guard for his downfield passes with the way Travis Etienne can hit the perimeter.

So, it's not a surprise the Colts lost this game. Some of what played out, though, should bring some concerns about what the next month-plus of games could bring.

2. Let's start with the quarterback. Gardner Minshew has played above expectation this season, most notably in adequately stepping in and finishing wins against the Texans and Titans with high efficiency and safe play.

But like when he started in Baltimore, it's just a different situation when he's named the starter early in the week. It helps that he gets first-team reps to build a little chemistry with receivers, but it mostly helps the opposing defense to not exert energy into game-planning for Anthony Richardson's deep ball or rushing ability. The run game falls entirely upon the running backs, which is Jacksonville's strength as a defense. And defending the pass means getting pressure on Minshew to force off-balance throws and not worrying as much about whether he'll go down the field.

3. This was Minshew's first three-interception game of his career, which spans 26 starts for three teams. That's where things really fell off the wagon for him.


Each one seemed on the quarterback. He threw behind Michael Pittman Jr. on a ball that Rayshawn Jenkins picked off over the middle. He threw well over Pittman's head on the easiest interception that Andre Cisco will ever see, on a play where Pittman was open and Drew Ogletree even more open just to his right. And he rushed a jump ball to Pittman in the end zone that became something else, as Darius Williams was able to settle and scoop the ball up.

The fumble was a nice speed rush by Josh Allen around Bernhard Raimann's hip on the left side, but it was also a moment where I think Richardson would have moved in the pocket or absorbed the hit better.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew II (10) from the bench during game action at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Oct 15, 2023, in Jacksonville.
4. All in all, it's a showcase of how the floor can disappear in this offense without Richardson. The designed quarterback runs that became a point of contention over the risk it brought to Richardson were the bread and butter for dictating the opposing personnel and alignment of the defense. It was a way to shake elite run defenses out of traditional and technical defense, having to play for two runners at the same time. And that scrambling ability was a way to convert third downs when receivers are covered off the snap.


5. I do think the run game will be better from here on out, and it better be, as they had 17 carries for 44 yards. They'll face easier defenses to run on, hopefully with more favorable game scripts to stick with it. And Jonathan Taylor will increase his conditioning to be more of the player who can carry an offense that needs carrying some days. That was the Colts on Sunday, but it wasn't the time or the place for him to do so.

6. Alec Pierce hasn't had the start to his second season many were hoping for, entering Sunday with eight catches for 124 yards and no touchdowns. But he would be a sizeable loss if the shoulder he hurt in the second half ends up lingering. Even though they might not deploy it a ton with Minshew, he's the best perimeter-deep threat the Colts have. That will need to matter eventually for as much as they are likely to run with Taylor and Zack Moss and with how defenses are going to play them. It's also not a spot where the Colts have much depth.


7. The Colts did a decent job managing Braden Smith's sudden absence on the right side that moved fourth-round rookie Blake Freeland from the left side to the right side on Friday. That can be a disastrous situation in this league, but the Colts ran quick game and used a tight end to help out consistently.

The problem is that limited the threat they posed as an offense. Drew Ogletree had his best game last week, but he was mostly a blocker and a tertiary receiving option in this one, seeing just one target and no catches.

Shane Steichen, head coach for the Colts, after an Indianapolis touchdown against Jacksonville at EverBank Stadium on Sunday, Oct 15, 2023, in Jacksonville.
8. However, if Smith is out long-term, there's reason to be concerned with the youth at the two tackle positions. That concern could ramp up next week against Myles Garrett and Za'Darius Smith of the Browns. Something to really monitor this week.

9. It's odd to see the Jaguars with 37 points and just 234 yards on 3.8 yards per play. They had some short fields and were highly efficient in the red zone, but the Colts did a good job limiting explosive plays and held the Jaguars to just 2.9 yards per carry. This was a game that felt like last year, with the Colts putting too much responsibility on their defense until it breaks.



10. JuJu Brents had another up-and-down game, which is what rookie cornerbacks do. He was a part of the breakdown that led to Christian Kirk's touchdown catch on the left side, though it's hard to discern whose fault that was. He did have a nice breakup in the second half and some more reliable tackles, which is becoming a key part of his profile.

This experience is obviously valuable for him, especially against receivers like Calvin Ridley, and I expect him to stay as their No. 1 outside cornerback for a while.