After last week’s embarrassing loss to the Miami Dolphins at home, the Indianapolis Colts desperately need a rebound on Sunday when the Jaguars visit Lucas Oil Stadium. This is the first time these two teams meet this season.
The Jaguars will be going through a quarterback change this week as Nick Foles will be making his first start since he broke his collarbone Week 1 against Kansas City. Gardner Minshew has held down the fort but has ultimately struggled in recent weeks.
The offense will look different with Foles under center no doubt, but the way this season has gone anything can happen. Outside of the quarterback position, there are plenty of talented players on Jacksonville’s roster.
Here are four Jaguars the Colts must game plan to win in Week 11:
RB Leonard Fournette
The Colts have been getting better in run defense, but Fournette may be one of the better backs the Colts get to face this season. Averaging 4.8 yards per carry, he is a tough, downhill runner who can not be brought down with arm tackles.
Fournette has 831 yards on the year but only has gotten in the end zone once. The Jaguars struggle in the red zone and rarely turn to their running back in key third-down situations. Regardless, the Colts front seven must be able to stop Fournette if they want to pick up a win. By stopping him, the rest of their offensive scheme will suffer.
WR D.J. Chark Jr.
Emerging as Jacksonville’s number one receiver, Chark has had a breakout year and is really cementing himself as one of the best young receivers in the AFC. The second-year wideout out of LSU has 43 catches for 692 yards and six touchdowns on the season. He is also averaging 16.1 yards per catch.
Stopping Chark will be huge for the Colts secondary, which has struggled in recent weeks with less talented receivers. Pierre Desir will most likely be on Chark if he is healthy, but look for rookie Rock Ya-Sin to also be on the outside in coverage as well.
Locking up Chark in the red zone will be an objective for the Colts defense on Sunday.
DE Calais Campbell
Every year Campbell is one of the best defensive players in the league with none of the adoration or awards. The 33-year-old defensive end is having another solid season with 38 total tackles, 5.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss, one forced fumble and one blocked kick.
The laundry list of stats is something the Colts offensive line has to account for. The matchup of the day might be Anthony Castonzo vs Campbell on the outside. Given whoever is under center time to throw will be key in this game and Campbell loves to disrupt opposing offenses.
The Colts will also have to be weary of Campbell moving inside to line-up against right guard Mark Glowinski, which is a matchup the Jaguars can exploit.
LB Myles Jack
Leading the team in tackles, Myles Jack is an unbelievable talent for Jacksonville. He has 50 total tackles on the year to go along with 0.5 sacks and one interception.
Jack will be a big factor in the Colts trying to run the ball effectively again. He will need to be picked up in blocking schemes if Indy wants to have any success on the ground with Marlon Mack. Watch for Jack to be used for blitz options as well, coming from the outside on up the middle.
