Jags @ Colts

[Vin+ 3,121]

The Indianapolis Colts are thrilled with how Andrew Luck looks just two games into his NFL career.

 

The Jacksonville Jaguars can't afford for Blaine Gabbert's second season in the league to look like his first.

 

Luck will try to help the Colts match last season's win total Sunday when the visiting Jaguars try to rebound from one of the worst performances in team history.

 

Picked No. 1 overall in this year's draft as the replacement for Peyton Manning, Luck already has delivered the Colts (1-1) a victory, throwing for 224 yards and two touchdowns in last Sunday's home-opening 23-20 win over Minnesota.

 

The former Stanford star drove the team 45 yards in 23 seconds to set up Adam Vinatieri's game-winning 53-yard field goal with 8 seconds left. Luck did not commit a turnover after throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble in his NFL debut, a 41-21 loss at Chicago on Sept. 9.

 

"It's just amazing that the guy's able to go out there and do the things he does as a rookie," first-year coach Chuck Pagano said.

 

Gabbert did not fare as well last Sunday, finishing with 53 yards passing - his fewest as a starter - in a 27-7 loss to Houston.

 

Jacksonville (0-2) totaled a franchise-low 117 yards. It was not what Gabbert, or the Jaguars, expected after the second-year signal-caller showed positive signs in a 26-23 overtime loss to the Vikings in Week 1, throwing for a career-best 260 yards and two TDs.

 

"We killed ourselves," said Gabbert, the league's lowest-rated passer in 2011 at 65.4. "We were 0 for 9 on third down, just a lack of execution. Had a bunch of mental mistakes. We just shot ourselves in the foot. And you can't win football games in the NFL by doing that."

 

Gabbert was replaced by Chad Henne in the fourth quarter last Sunday due to a glute injury, but he's expected to play in Week 3 after tests Monday did not reveal any significant damage.

 

"I think it's going to be something that's going to get better each day," coach Mike Mularkey said.

 

The Jaguars can only hope the same is true of a banged-up offensive line that was without left guard Eben Britton (ankle) and right tackle Cam Bradfield (ankle) last week. If they can't go, Herb Taylor, Mike Brewster and Guy Whimper should get plenty of snaps.

 

That group will face a Colts defense that could be without Dwight Freeney for a second consecutive week. He's day-to-day with a sprained left ankle.

 

Fellow star pass rusher Robert Mathis, who along with Freeney has moved from defensive end to linebacker as part of the Colts' new 3-4 scheme, has stepped up with a team-high three sacks. Plus, Indianapolis has done a respectable job against the run, holding Chicago's Matt Forte and Minnesota's Adrian Peterson to a combined 140 yards.

 

Reigning rushing champ Maurice Jones-Drew may see even more than his usual workload because backup Rashad Jennings could miss a second straight game with a knee injury. Jones-Drew, the Jaguars' only non-quarterback with a rushing attempt last Sunday, has averaged 15.5 carries and 68.5 yards after holding out all of training camp and the preseason.

 

Jones-Drew has faced the Colts 12 times, rushing for 101.0 yards per game with nine TDs. He ran for 283 yards and a score in 2011 when the Jaguars swept this AFC South series for the first time.

 

While protecting Luck is a priority - he's been sacked five times - the Colts want to do a better job opening up a running attack that's averaging just 3.3 yards per carry. Donald Brown could be more effective against a Jaguars run defense that's given up 339 yards.

 

Indianapolis, though, needs to shore up an offensive line that was without right tackle Winston Justice (concussion) and left guard Joe Reitz (knee) last week. Those two are questionable Sunday, and it's uncertain if center Samson Satele will play after suffering a knee injury in Week 2.

 

Colts receiver Austin Collie's status is day-to-day as he's yet to see game action following a concussion last month.

 

Reggie Wayne has been targeted a team-high 25 times and leads the Colts with 206 receiving yards, but the Jaguars' secondary needs to keep an eye on Donnie Avery. The first-year Colt caught nine passes - tying a career high - for a team-best 111 yards in Week 2.

 

Indianapolis, winner of three straight at home, didn't post its second victory in 2011 until Dec. 22.

 

The Colts were denied a three-game win streak to end last season with a 19-13 defeat at Jacksonville on New Year's Day.

 

Copyright 2012 by STATS LLC and The Associated Press.

Edited September 25, 2012 by Vin

[AllYouNeedIsLovie 377]

I think the Jags get their first win of the season here and Gabbert outplays Luck. You heard it here first.

[TDJacksonville 31]

should be the battle of who has the better qb. also heard the Jags are considering all Alternatives for the 2 injured starters so Maybe Baldridge starts at RT over whimper . anyways Cox Looks to be healthy now with him practing full.

[Barracuda 629]

Could go either way, I'll take the home team.

[Dutch 874]

26

 

 

20

[housemd 338]

20

 

17

[Vin+ 3,121]

Jaguars LG Eben Britton (ankle) has been ruled out for Week 3.

 

Journeyman Herb Taylor will likely see another start this week against the Colts. The good news for Jacksonville is that the Colts have a banged up defensive front, with Dwight Freeney (ankle) and Corey Redding (triceps) listed as questionable.

[RazorStar 4,025]

Jags are gonna get raped in the bum...

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

I want to find something nice to say about the Jaguars... but I just can't, really. That of course means that they will find a way to win.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Austin Collie is active for Sunday's game against the Jaguars, but Donnie Avery is in the starting lineup over him.

 

The two may form a rotation opposite Reggie Wayne, making the Colts' No. 2 receiver position a dicey investment from a fantasy perspective. Collie's return is great news for his fantasy outlook long term, but we couldn't recommend using him in an already difficult matchup without a guaranteed full complement of snaps.

 

 

The Colts' Week 3 inactives are DE Dwight Freeney, QB Chandler Harnish, CB Josh Gordy, RB Delone Carter, LB Pat Angerer, OT Bradley Sowell, and OG Joe Reitz.

 

 

 

Jaguars declared RB Rashad Jennings, LG Eben Britton, RT Cameron Bradfield, DEs George Selvie and Austen Lane, SLB Daryl Smith, and DT Jeris Pendleton inactive for Week 3 against the Colts.

 

This is a banged up squad. Jennings is out with a knee injury, Britton and Bradfield are dealing with ankle issues, and Smith has a groin ailment. Mike Brewster will get the start at left guard and Guy Whimper will line up at right tackle.

 

 

At least Derek Cox is going to play.

Edited September 23, 2012 by Vin

[RazorStar 4,025]

Just have Luck run it every play... he's toasting the Jags with his legs.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

Mojo tearing it up... Just direct snap it to him, he could probably throw it better than Gabbert. Looks like another season where Jones-Drew has to contribute 50% of the teams yardage. Ron Jeremy Kahn needs to take out his damn check book. Rich cheeky bastard.

[Zack_of_Steel+ 3,014]

Love seeing Mewelde Moore score. Always loved seeing him make clutch plays for the Steelers.

[Vin+ 3,121]

Cardiac Cats, baby. Aw yeah.

[BwareDWare94 723]

Love seeing Mewelde Moore score. Always loved seeing him make clutch plays for the Steelers.

 

He's always been a very underrated player. He was a few less injuries away from becoming a star in Minnesota early in his career. He sort of lost his opportunity and played third string in Minny before finally getting out. I loved seeing him succeed with Pittsburgh.

[karl 3]

Not surprised at all that our defense had, what, less than a minute to blow it and completely did. I think our D should just all sit in the middle of the field next time and all proceed to push as hard as they can and shit their pants. Honestly, I'm not even angry I had us winning a max of 6 games but expected about 4 or 5. But really, that last TD was a pathetic show by us