Heading into Sunday’s game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts, there are many players who fans are expecting to put up solid stats. In the Jags’ case, Leonard Fournette, D.J. Chark, Calais Campbell and Yannick Ngakoue all fall in that category. However, in some games, there is an unexpected player who impacts the outcome, also known as X-factors.
Let’s take a look at a player on each side of the ball who could be that player for the Jags in their must-win game against Indy:
WR Chris Conley
With quarterback Nick Foles back, fans shouldn’t rule out the passing game having a good day in general although I tend to think there will be some rust. However, it wouldn’t be shocking to see Foles link up with the target he’s the most familiar with in Chris Conley, who was a teammate of his with the Kansas City Chiefs, too.
Conley has only registered one 100-yard game so far this regular season and that was against the New York Jets. It may remain that way by the end of Sunday’s game, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see Foles and Conley link up for multiple key connections. It also wouldn’t shock me to see Conley get over five receptions, something the hasn’t happened since Week 1.
Safety Ronnie Harrison
In the Jags’ and Colts’ last meeting that resulted in a 6-0 shutout victory for Jacksonville, Ronnie Harrison was one of the players who stood out. He was finding his way as a rookie but managed to accumulate three tackles and a clutch sack on now-retired quarterback Andrew Luck towards the end of the game.
This time around he’ll be facing a different quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, who likely is going to have his share of attempts throwing the ball, especially to tight end Eric Ebron when considering T.Y. Hilton was ruled out Friday. When those opportunities come, Harrison must win his matchups in coverage, and more specifically, his occasional matchups with Ebron because the veteran tight end is essentially the Colts’ X-factor on offense. The Jags may also need a good game out of Harrison as a tackler near the line of scrimmage, too, as Marlon Mack is a dangerous tailback.
For those who need proof, look no further than the Jags’ first meeting with the Colts in 2018 where Ebron absolutely had his way with the Jags’ defense, averaging 23 yards per reception with two touchdowns. Simply put, that can’t happen Sunday as the Jags will be in a must-win situation against their longtime divisional rivals.
