Jaguars vs. Colts: Run defense could be tested by the Colts

by Adam Stites on Nov 8, 2011 3:30 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview

In the 20 times the Jaguars and Colts have faced each other in history, only once in 1995 did the Colts not have Peyton Manning starting at quarterback. Instead the Colts led by Craig Erickson accumulated only 129 yards of passing offense.

In the following 19 games, the Colts won 14 of them and Peyton Manning averaged 276 yards passing, two touchdowns and 0.68 interceptions per game. Far more than the 182.8 yards and the 0.78 touchdowns they're averaging this season. To say the Curtis Painter led Colts are struggling would be an understatement, but they haven't been terrible in every facet of the game.

In fact, the Colts rushing offense, despite having missed Joseph Addai for three games this season, has done relatively well. While they rank 23rd in the NFL in yards/game, the Colts also have averaged 4.5 yards per carry. That ranks 10th in the NFL and is much better than the 3.8 yards/carry that the Jaguars average.

The rushing duo of Addai and Delone Carter have had the luxury of running behind the Colts 5th ranked run blocking offensive line according to Football Outsiders. The reason the Colts rank so low on the rushing charts has been due to the fact that the Colts have run the ball just 22.3 times per game. That ranks 30th in the NFL and is much fewer than the 31.1 times the Jaguars run the ball in an average game.

One of the biggest reasons the Colts haven't ran the ball much is that their offense has struggled to keep teams off the scoreboard. While the Jaguars have a struggling pass offense, as do the Colts, the Jaguars have benefitted from having a defense that has kept them close in just about every game this season. The Colts have not had such luck.

Their defense has struggled and has forced the Colts offense to rely on their deficient pass game to lead them back into contention. As is evident by their record, it hasn't worked.

For the Jaguars to make the Colts one-dimensional and rely on their weak passing game, the offense will have to score early and often. Something they haven't done all season. But if they can't do it against one of the league's worst defenses, then when will they?

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I never thought I'd hear the words "Colts" and "effective ground game" in the same sentence

You would think the Jags would be able to do handle and shut down their running game but the Jags did mightily struggle against an injured Rashard Mendenhall and I think the last meeting between the Jags/Colts last season the Jags struggled shutting down their run game. Hopefully the Jags dont struggle

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 3:55 PM EST via mobile reply actions

I think that was partly due to

being worried about Ben Roethlisberger and those WR’s.

by pksiv on Nov 8, 2011 3:58 PM EST up reply actions

True

But you would expect the Jags to have been able to stop them with their front 4, it’s not like the Steelers O’ Line is all that good

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:02 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

and Linebackers when not in coverage

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:03 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Really

if you go back and watch the game, we did fairly well against the run outside of the 60 something yard run where someone held Poz at the point of attack. Take that run out, and Rashard had a fairly pedestrian day.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 9, 2011 12:30 AM EST up reply actions

Good find

Wasn’t able to watch that game. Was skewed by reading mere stats. I thought I had heard about the Poz hold but wasn’t sure

by Jags85 on Nov 9, 2011 7:41 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

But we had no problem handling Rice, Benson,

by KillJag on Nov 9, 2011 7:50 AM EST up reply actions

Horsefeathers.

The Colts will not cause us a moments worry on the ground.
This game is a win.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 8, 2011 4:10 PM EST reply actions

You mean "ColtsFeathers"? Lol

Any team we face bothers me, even As bad as the Colts have looked this season. I really, really like our D’, but I really, really DisLike our Offense (with the Obvious exception of MJD). Until they prove they can Consistently catch the ball AND score points, every team scares me. Even the “obvious” teams that we play that we should beat I’ll remain skepticaland I wont mark it as a “win”

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:24 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Pressure's On

I think there’s more pressure on the Jaguars in this game than previous 8 games because a loss against a winless team will really sink our ship. The O-line, QB, and wide receivers have to rise to the occasion; otherwise, if we have to rely on holding the Colts to 10 points or less to win the game, then we may not be able to score enough to win. We can’t expect Scobee to kick 7 field goals to win the game.

by three finger on Nov 8, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

If the Jags lose to the Colts

ESPECIALLY embarrassingly, I’d hate to see the Next home game at EverBank

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:33 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

If we lose, I still get happy...

Since Colts will no longer be leaders for Luck.

Fidelis Ad Mortem

by JPQ! on Nov 8, 2011 4:45 PM EST up reply actions

Luck may not even declare for the 2012 Draft (still a junior in NCAA)

But regardless, I want the Jags to Always win

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:48 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

He already said he is declaring.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Lol he can always change his mind

Not set in stone. I’m not saying he wont and hes not a man of his word but its not guaranteed until he officially declares

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:54 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

fair enough

Would be quite a shock though. I think he finished his degree this year anyway.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 4:55 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed also

He has. It does suck though for the situation Luck will be put into if the Colts do take him. Will be like the Favre-Rodgers situation all over again…but I dont think it would last nearly as long

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 4:59 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

not so sure

First, Favre was kind of a d!ck to Rogers from the sound of it. I trust Peyton to have the professionalism to get beyond that.

Second, the more talk I hear the worse the situation sounds with Peyton’s neck. If I were putting odds on it, I think it is only 60-40 that he ever plays again… and maybe less that he plays as a Colt.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

Your a Colts man

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 5:07 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

*Know more about the Colts it seems

So il trust your knowledge. I’m just going by what I’m hearing. I know Peyton’s a competitor and wants to play, and drafting a QB 1st overall he knows his end is coming so he might request a trade/release IF healthy (enough to play)

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 5:10 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Peyton Manning

…as a Redskin? The thought boggles the mind.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 5:18 PM EST up reply actions

Or a Dolphin!

They finally found a replacement for Marino! Lol

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 5:29 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Peyton

anywhere other than with the Colts is a weird though.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 9, 2011 12:34 AM EST up reply actions

he graduated,

why would he stay?

"...I'm not trying to act giddy but the guy is a stud.'' - Terry McDonough, Director of Player Personnel, Jacksonville Jaguars

by TmannZOU on Nov 8, 2011 10:58 PM EST up reply actions

To Not get drafted by the Colts or Dolphins

Lol jp. Colts probably best case scenario for him in all seriousness

by Jags85 on Nov 9, 2011 7:32 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

Oh the Irony

Peyton Manning advised Andrew Luck on returning to Stanford

http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/01/07/peyton-manning-advised-andrew-luck-on-returning-to-stanford/

Would be actually quite funny if the Colts did draft Luck and Peyton were forced out…

by pksiv on Nov 9, 2011 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

sadly...+1

by CheapSeat on Nov 8, 2011 4:49 PM EST up reply actions

Actually...

I think the Colts would still be ahead of the Dolphins since the Dolphins have a stronger schedule. The Rams might be #1 at that point though. Doubt they take Luck but they would trade out of the pick.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions

Runing Man

Carter has been a great addition to the Colts ground game. Runs with more power than anyone we have seen in a while. Better vision and shiftiness than I would have expected too. Some of the changes they tried to make on the OL were in the right direction, but it’s hard to say how effective since it is a MASH unit again this year. The rookies have looked good when they played and Saturday is having an All-Pro season (shame it’s wasted.)

That said, Curtis Painter is epically awful. Easily the worst QB be start in the NFL in the last 5 years (at least.) The offense is inept, the defense is uninspired, and this team has more or less quit on Jim Caldwell (not that I blame them.) We are in full on Suck4Luck mode now. My one hope is that they don’t get hyped up for a division game against a sub-par team like the Jags and actually win a game. Time to think of the long term future of the franchise.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 4:51 PM EST reply actions

Luck as Savior?

If Luck has the same problems as Gabbert, even if the Colts get lucky, they may not be an immediate threat to the Jags’ forthcoming dominance of our division. I think Houston is still the Jags’ competition. Hasselback is on the down hill side of his career. Soon the Titans will also have to deal with the trials and tribulations of a young QB. That should set the Titans back a couple of years.

by three finger on Nov 8, 2011 5:20 PM EST up reply actions

Gabbert vs. Luck

Not just trying to torpedo the other team’s guy, but as a prospect Gabbert is/was not on the same level as Luck. I was somewhat underwhelmed with the QB class as a whole last year. Not to say that Luck would be an instant savior, Peyton struggled in his first season too, but his upside is well beyond Gabbert. I agree that the Texans are the team to beat in the division at this point (unless Peyton comes back.) They are the only team with any stability at QB for the moment. As the other three QBs develop it will leave the division wide open as each team goes through their struggles. Luck would easily be the best of the three in terms of talent, but would be a year behind the others in development and possibly has the weakest cast around him. I’m not ready to annoint anyone as the heir apparent to this division until the young QBs show their colors.

by invisibulman on Nov 8, 2011 9:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

For all we know

You guys could have a turn-around much like the Titans did a few seasons ago and get “hot” and win like 6 out of the next 8 games and finish with a better record than us lol (leaving you without the #1 pick and Luck). Im very surprised how your team is doing. Not having Peyton is a huge blow but should still have been tied with us record wise. I know your D’ is more built to play with a lead but its just been pretty bad, much worse than I think anyone really anticipated. Same with the O’, still have talent (Wayne, Garcon, Clark, ect..). Reggie Wayne is starting to show his age but is still a good player

by Jags85 on Nov 8, 2011 10:19 PM EST via mobile up reply actions

Supposedly

Luck doesn’t have the arm strength that is always desired?
I mean, its good, but not top level is what I have heard

"...I'm not trying to act giddy but the guy is a stud.'' - Terry McDonough, Director of Player Personnel, Jacksonville Jaguars

by TmannZOU on Nov 8, 2011 11:02 PM EST up reply actions

I get where you are at in terms of these QB's as prospects

not being biased here, but Gabbert has every bit the upside that Luck does. Luck is stronger physically as a runner and he’s more accurate as a deep ball passer than Gabbert, but otherwise Gabbert has Luck beat in most aspects of being a prospect. Gabbert has a bigger arm, quicker release, more speed as a runner, etc Luck is more of a gamer than Gabbert, but as prospects one is just as good as the other. Gabbert just needs to develop a little bit more.

by Ewdtrey on Nov 9, 2011 12:43 AM EST up reply actions

Gabbert v Luck

The real test is poise. Who will be able to best stay cool in the pocket and resist the temptation to scramble? I think both players have all the physical and mental tools. I hear that Gabbert did very well on the Wunderlich (?) test and I’m sure that the Stanford guy will also do well. All other things being equal, poise may be the difference in these QBs and the determining factor as to who the dominant QB will be in this division. Right now, Schaub is #1.

by three finger on Nov 9, 2011 2:54 PM EST up reply actions