BLUE 1,026 Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) By ALAN FERGUSON STATS Writer (AP) -- Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and coach Chuck Pagano have experienced back-to-back losses for the first time in their two-plus seasons with the team. History suggests another defeat this week would make it nearly impossible for the Colts to reach the playoffs for a third consecutive year. The Colts will try to avoid dropping to 0-3 in Sunday's road game against the winless Jacksonville Jaguars, who are expected to keep Chad Henne as their starting quarterback over rookie Blake Bortles. Luck looked like he was guiding Indianapolis to victory against Philadelphia on Monday, throwing two touchdown passes in the first half and putting the Colts ahead 20-6 with less than seven minutes to go in the third quarter. Indianapolis couldn't hang on, allowing the Eagles to rally for a 30-27 win. After making an ill-advised quarterback sneak in 31-24 loss in Denver on Sept. 7, Luck threw an interception with 5:15 remaining Monday that took away the chance at a potential clinching field goal and started Philadelphia toward a tying touchdown. "It appeared we had that game won and we let it slip away," coach Chuck Pagano said. "I'll start with myself. I've got to do a better job. We've got to coach better, we've got to play better." Trent Richardson's fumble late in the third quarter also led to a TD, and Indianapolis is 0-2 for the first time since 2011, when it lost its first 13 games while Peyton Manning sat out with a neck injury. That start put the Colts in position to draft Luck with the No. 1 pick. Indianapolis is already facing difficult odds to reach the postseason. Only 12 percent of teams that have started 0-2 since 1990 have made it, and an 0-3 start has proved significantly more daunting to overcome. Since 1970, five of the 197 teams that have dropped their first three games have reached the playoffs (2.5 percent) and none have done it since the 1998 Buffalo Bills. "You can point out every week if we did this, this and this we'd be 2-0," Pagano said Tuesday. "We have 14 games left and the only that matters right now is Jacksonville and that's the next one. The record is the record. We're not going to sit there and dwell on anything other than Jacksonville." The Colts have struggled to overcome the absence of reigning NFL sack champion Robert Mathis, out for the season with a torn Achilles. They have one sack and might not have one of their top free-agent signees, defensive lineman Arthur Jones, available for the next few weeks because of a sprained right ankle. The team signed undrafted rookie Kelcy Quarles to replace Jones, but Sunday's matchup could provide a boost to the scuffling pass rush. Jacksonville gave up a team-record 10 sacks in a 41-10 rout by Washington on Sunday and has retooled its offensive line for this game. Sam Young will start at right tackle after Cam Bradfield was waived, and Luke Bowanko will make his first career start at center. The Jaguars will keep Henne as the starting quarterback with No. 3 overall draft pick Bortles staying on the sidelines. With Henne at the helm, the Jaguars produced 148 yards against the Redskins. "It's too early to push the panic button," said running back Toby Gerhart, who had eight yards on seven carries. "We're 0-2, two games on the road. Starting off against two good defenses on the road. We're looking forward to playing at home, right the ship and get rolling." Henne won't have tight end Marcedes Lewis to target after he was placed on short-term injured reserve, but the team's top receiver from 2013, Cecil Shorts III, is expected to make his season debut after being sidelined with a hamstring injury. Marqise Lee, who is tied with Lewis for the team lead with eight receptions, has also been ruled out after hurting his hamstring in Wednesday's practice. Safety Jonathan Cyprien (concussion) has been cleared to resume activities, but it's uncertain when he'll return to a unit that's given up a league-worst 75 points and the fourth-most yards (869). The Colts have allowed the third-most points at 61 and rank just below Jacksonville in yards allowed at 819. They've won three in a row over the Jaguars, however, and another victory would give them the longest win streak in the series since taking the first five meetings. Indianapolis will also be trying for a series high-tying third consecutive victory in Jacksonville. Source: Hosted.Stats.com Edited September 19, 2014 by BLUE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RazorStar 4,025 Posted September 19, 2014 Let the losing streak continue! For Jacksonville... 14 40 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 19, 2014 Good news: I get to see the game Bad news: I get to see the game 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Favre4Ever+ 4,476 Posted September 20, 2014 Jacksonville gonna come in with the upset over a downtrodden Indy team. Feel the magic! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted September 20, 2014 It was looking like the Jags were gonna have only 3 healthy WRs leading up in the week. One of which they just signed off the Panthers — the team that barely has WRs themselves — practice squad. But now I guess Cecil Shorts, and Allen Hurns will play. However it seems like the Jags secondary for whatever reason is completely lost, or Bob Babich has infected the defense with his stupidity because they've been getting scorched and most of it is all mental mistakes or being out of position. Luck could have a great day out there. 27 17 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theMileHighGuy 656 Posted September 20, 2014 Luck can't go 0-3 to start the season where some picked the Colts as AFC champions. It seems every week though they have more questions on defense. I would probably pick the Jags if they would get over this Henne business. - 30 - 15 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dutch 874 Posted September 20, 2014 Don't see the Colts going 0-3 against the jags. 34 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 21, 2014 Hakeem Nicks (illness) is active for Sunday's Week 3 game at Jacksonville. Nicks missed some practice this week, but is ready to go. He'll play far behind T.Y. Hilton though, and is a WR4 at best. The Colts inactives: Da'Rick Rogers, Jerrell Freeman (hamstring), Khaled Holmes (ankle), Lance Louis, Joe Reitz (ankle), Art Jones (ankle) and Chris Carter. Allen Robinson is listed as a starter opposite Cecil Shorts in Sunday's Week 3 game against the Colts. Allen Hurns (ankle) is active, but it sounds like he'll serve as the No. 3 receiver. It's a monster opportunity for the talented Robinson, although he's going to see a lot of shutdown CB Vontae Davis. Marqise Lee (hamstring) is inactive, along with TE Clay Harbor, OL Austin Pasztor, CB Jeremy Harris, G Tyler Shatley, RB Storm Johnson and WR Tavvares King. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vin+ 3,121 Posted September 21, 2014 Sometimes I hate this team. This is one of those times. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bay 2,003 Posted September 21, 2014 What do you do going forward? Suffer with Henne or let the kid play. Fixing the O-line first would be nice of course. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025 Posted September 23, 2014 Bortles in? Completely saved my day Wasn't sure there was a way to feel good after a game where your team get's blown out of the water (again), but that did it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
