To finish off their regular season, the Indianapolis Colts will head south and play in one last divisional matchup vs. the Jacksonville Jaguars. Even with their playoff hopes ended after Week 15, it didn’t stop the Colts from quickly coming out of the gates and dominating the Carolina Panthers in their 38-6 win last Sunday.
Whether it was Nyheim Hines having an all-time performance as a punt returner or the defense having their best success in several weeks, the Colts are looking to bring those factors and then some down to Jacksonville for their final game in 2019.
Here are three key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 17 bout:
RB Leonard Fournette vs. Colts’ defensive front seven
As I mentioned in this same piece in Week 11, when these two teams faced off, the Colts would have to put a lot of emphasis on defending running back Leonard Fournette. The LSU product has been the Jaguars’ best offensive player this season and is currently seventh in rushing yards (1,152).
But even with the fact, the Colts successfully contained Fournette in their first matchup (eight carries for 23 rushing yards), it doesn’t mean the Jags could allow that to happen again. Ever since the total number of Fournette’s carries have lowered since Week 11, the Jaguars are 1-4 and struggling to generate much offensive success.
So with an increased chance of Fournette getting much action on Sunday, the Colts’ defensive front seven needs to quickly contain him in order to greater pressure on rookie quarterback Gardner Minshew II.
QB Jacoby Brissett vs. QB Gardner Minshew II
While both teams will rely on their running game and defense’s to win on Sunday, it doesn’t mean the two starting quarterbacks won’t have a say in the end. Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II are two, young quarterbacks that have seen everything this season, but they’re still standing and both of their teams believe in them.
As Minshew II is a creative and risk-taking gunslinger at his position, the Colts QB1 is the complete opposite. Despite the criticism that comes his way (and rightfully so to an extent), Brissett is a turnover-free quarterback, who possesses real arm talent and can make all of the throws when needed.
On Sunday, we’re going to see which quarterback between JB7 and GMII can do just enough to lead their team to victory. They might not be asked to do much, but you just never know. Especially in the case of Minshew II, as this will be his first time starting against the Colts’ defense and vice verse.
The Colts’ offensive line vs. the Jaguars’ defensive line
If there’s anything that’s been consistent about this particular divisional rivalry, it’s the battle in the trenches. Over the last three seasons, the Jaguars have become one of the league leaders in sacks and quarterback hits and their reputation has stayed the same this season. Their current total of 44 sacks are only eight behind the league leader in the Carolina Panthers.
But the same can be said about the Colts’ offensive line. Over the last two seasons, the Colts have built an elite group upfront as the group of Castonzo, Nelson, Kelly, Glowinski, and Smith have greatly improved this team’s pass protection and run-blocking and they’re only getting better.
By season’s end, the Colts have only given up the ninth-fewest sacks (29) across the league and are ranked fourth in rushing yards per game (133.2)
