The Tantalizing Ten: Jaguars Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts return to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Jacksonville Jaguars?
For the first time since the 2014 playoff loss in New England, Robert Mathis was back to sacking quarterbacks on Sunday afternoon. His fourth-quarter sack of Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota was another step forward in Mathis' return from last year's Achilles injury. The Colts would like to see a more consistent pass rush and Mathis gives Greg Manusky's defense an individual rusher like no other.
The "MVP" from Sunday's comeback win against the Titans was Lowery. His fourth-quarter interception set up the Colts game-winning touchdown. Despite all the injuries among the Colts cornerbacks this season, Lowery and veteran Mike Adams continue to be the steady veteran presences in the back end.
For the first time in his 51-game NFL career, there is doubt about Andrew Luck's health heading into a football game. Luck is on the Colts injury report with a right shoulder injury, but both No. 12 and Chuck Pagano have plenty of confidence in the Colts quarterback being under center on Sunday. It goes without saying, Luck's right arm will be watched very closely all day Sunday.
The Jaguars head coach enters his third season at the helm with a young offense and a veteran defensive front. Jacksonville knocked off Miami in Week Two but suffered a big set back last week in a 34-point road loss to the Patriots. The thought was the Jaguars would challenge for a .500 mark this season but injuries have hindered those offseason expectations.
Lost in the shuffle of the Colts comeback victory in Nashville was the exceptional play of Frank Gore. In averaging 6.1 yards per carry and moving the chains on seven of his 14 runs, Gore put up numbers the Colts haven't seen from a running back in years. The challenge for Gore and the Colts running game goes up in difficulty this week. The Jaguars rank second in the NFL in allowing just 3.3 yards per carry.
The Colts offense saw a seismic shift in its personnel last week with three new starters in different spots. Thornton had several penalties on Sunday but was a key opener of holes for Frank Gore. It looks like the Colts will have the same offensive line together this Sunday.
Last season in Jacksonville, the Colts got their first glimpse of the Jaguars future at quarterback. Blake Bortles, the No. 3 overall pick in 2014, struggled through his rookie season. He enters his first full season as a full-time starter with plenty of youth around him. It looks like Bortles will still be without Pro Bowl tight end Julius Thomas (hand injury) this weekend.
The Colts appear to be getting healthy at the cornerback position at just the right time. While Greg Toler remains "week-to-week", the Colts did get Darius Butler back to practice this week. That is a welcomed sign to Vontae Davis, who had an up and down Week Three contest in Tennessee, ending on a strong note with key pass deflections in the fourth quarter.
Last week the question was how would the Colts get the tight ends more involved? This week Andre Johnson has received those questions. Johnson spoke like the pro he is earlier this week, pointing out he knew production would be hard to come by in such an explosive Colts wideout group. Johnson has seven catches in 18 targets this season. In a 16-game NFL season, you know the Colts will inevitably rely on Johnson for a greater role.
When Blake Bortles looks for a big play there's a good chance the ball is going to Allen Robinson or Allen Hurns. Robinson is averaging an eye-popping 22.7 yards per catch and Hurns isn't far behind at 18.0. With the Jaguars struggling a bit to get the ground game going, hitting on some chunk plays will be key against the Colts.
