Jags @ Colts

[BLUE 1,026]

By JEFF MEZYDLO

STATS Senior Writer

 

(AP) -- Hosting the worst team in a division they continue to dominate, the Indianapolis Colts have good reason to remain confident despite dropping two of three and losing their top running back to a season-ending injury.

 

The Colts can rebound by extending their AFC South winning streak to 11 games Sunday when they try for a fifth consecutive victory over the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Indianapolis (6-4) is the only team in the South with a winning record, but its lead was trimmed to one game following a 42-20 home loss to New England and Houston's 16-point win at Cleveland last Sunday.

 

After allowing more than 40 points for the second time in three games and yielding a season-high 246 rushing yards, the Colts were left battered but not broken.

 

"It's up to us to execute," defensive end Cory Redding said. "Look, it's a tough pill to swallow, but let's make it clear - we've got to go out and play winning football."

 

That means improving on a defense that allowed Ben Roethlisberger to throw six touchdowns during a 51-34 loss at Pittsburgh on Oct. 26 and Patriots rookie Jonas Gray to rush for 201 yards and four TDs.

 

Indianapolis, which ranked among the top 10 with 98.1 rushing yards allowed per game entering Sunday, has allowed an average of 39.0 points in three contests since a five-game win streak in which it yielded 75 points and shut out AFC North-leading Cincinnati.

 

"It's definitely frustrating because we're a good defense," injured defensive tackle Arthur Jones said. "We just have to be consistent."

 

Facing the Jaguars (1-9), however, could help the Colts get back on track and extend a winning streak that dates to their last division loss on Dec. 16, 2012.

 

Jacksonville ranks 31st at 15.8 points per game, 27th with an average of 315.1 yards and has been outscored 138-40 during a four-game skid against Indianapolis.

 

The Colts led 30-3 before Blake Bortles threw two fourth-quarter TDs in his NFL debut during a 44-17 loss Sept. 21.

 

The Jaguars have yielded 91 points in three games since a 24-6 win over Cleveland on Oct. 19, and now must stop Andrew Luck and a Colts offense that averages an NFL-high 438.3 yards but needs to bounce back after being held to a season-low 322 last Sunday.

 

Luck improved to 4-1 against the Jaguars after throwing for 370 yards with four TDs and no interceptions in September. That began a franchise-record streak of eight straight 300-yard passing games for Luck, who had 303 with two TDs and an INT against the Patriots.

 

The Colts, however, were held to a season-low 19 rushing yards on 17 carries and lost running back Ahmad Bradshaw to a broken leg. In the midst of a resurgence, Bradshaw led the team with 425 rushing yards and eight overall TDs.

 

"We are going to miss his energy, his passion, everything he brings to the table," coach Chuck Pagano said.

 

Though Trent Richardson has done a serviceable job in compiling 594 total yards, his 3.4 yards per carry is 1.3 fewer than Bradshaw's average. Indianapolis signed versatile veteran Josh Cribbs to perhaps provide some depth behind Richardson and backup Dan Herron.

 

Richardson ran for 57 yards and caught three passes for 23 at Jacksonville in September.

 

Tight end Dwayne Allen caught a TD pass in that contest and one in three straight games before suffering an ankle injury last Sunday that will force him to miss this game.

 

Indianapolis also signed tight end Weslye Saunders to provide depth at the position.

 

An ankle injury kept Jacksonville tight end Marcedes Lewis out of action since Week 2, but the veteran was activated from the injured reserve/designated to return list and is expected to play. To make room for Lewis, the Jaguars placed receiver Allen Robinson on injured reserve with a broken right foot.

 

The rookie led the team with 48 receptions, 458 yards and had two TDs.

 

Allen Hurns, who caught a 63-yard TD pass against the Colts this season, is expected to play after suffering a concussion during the 31-17 loss to Dallas in London on Nov. 9.

 

With Bortles continuing to progress as a starter and Denard Robinson rushing for 389 yards, four TDs and averaging 5.4 per carry in the last four games, the Jaguars hope to come out of the bye a bit more competitive than they were against the Colts in September.

 

"The bottom line is it's a performance-based business, and the bottom line is we have to get out there and take care of our business," Lewis told the Jaguars' official website. "Whatever we can control, we have to do a better job of controlling those things and figure out a way to get this tide going the other way."

 

Indianapolis has won six straight division home games since a 22-17 loss to the Jaguars on Sept. 23, 2012.

 

Source: Hosted.Stats.com

[Vin+ 3,121]

Colts have no run game.

 

I'm not afraid of you, Andrew Luck. Jags win. Come at me, bro.

 

 

Edited November 21, 2014 by Vin

[RazorStar 4,025]

How far can Josh Scobee kick a field goal? We're about to find out.

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

How far can Josh Scobee kick a field goal? We're about to find out.

 

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-cant-miss-plays/09000d5d81b0a1d4/Scobee-drills-59-yard-game-winning-FG

[CampinWithaMissingPerson 2,025]

[Vin+ 3,121]

 

Colts declared TE Dwayne Allen, LCB Greg Toler, OG Lance Louis, OL Khaled Holmes, DT Kelcy Quarles, RT Gosder Cherilus, and DL Zach Kerr inactive for Week 12 against the Jaguars.

Allen (ankle) is week-to-week. Toler suffered a concussion last week, forcing Darius Butler and Josh Gordy into heavier snaps against Cecil Shorts and company. Cherilus a shoulder injury. Joe Reitz will start at right tackle.

 

 

 

 

Jaguars declared DE Andre Branch, MLB Jeremiah George, WR Mike Brown, RB Storm Johnson, OT Sam Young, OG Tyler Shatley, and WR Teddy Williams inactive for Week 12 against the Colts.

Branch tore his groin in Week 7. Brown and Johnson are healthy scratches.

[RazorStar 4,025]

At least Luck is getting the piss taken out of him.

[Favre4Ever+ 4,476]

That's always a good thing. I just really can't stand Andrew. CRUSH HIM.

[Vin+ 3,121]

This team is killing me one failed drive at time.

[Bay 2,003]

Trent Richardson is the master of the unearned touchdown.