AFC South Blog: Jags v Colts--a big game?

by Bill Young

While the Jaguars and Colts games have been close every year, most of the country has ignored them mostly because the Jaguars never seem to win the games or the division. This year however the Jaguars have a realistic chance to sweep the Colts and win the division. The question is whether the Jaguars will perform at the level they are capable of and successfully implement a winning gameplan.

For many years, coach Jack Del Rio has enabled the Jaguars to overachieve despite a wide receiving corps that ranks in the bottom half of the league. Against the Colts this weakness is not as evident due to the brilliance of the Jaguars running attack (ranked 2nd in the NFL). The real question in this game is whether Jacksonville's defense will show up.

Last week the Jaguars gave up a whopping 31 points to the Raiders at home at one pm when the Raiders were still feeling the effects of jetlag. The "sluggish" Raiders offense piled up over 450 yards of total offense. To make matters worse, Jason Campbell looked like an elite quarterback out there--throwing for over 300 yards.

While the Raiders can run the ball far better than the Colts can at this point in the season, Peyton Manning should have a field day in the passing game. In addition, Austin Collie and Joseph Addai could return for this game which could greatly boost the suddenly turnover prone Indianapolis offense. Most importantly, Manning would not have to force passes in or not have continuity with such no-name receivers as Blair White constantly being shuffled on and off the field.

If Jacksonville does win this Sunday, it will be an upset because it has always been that team that can never get past the last obstacle to make the playoffs. If the Jaguars are ever gonna make it back to the playoffs, they have to make this opportunity count. Who knows if the Colts will ever be this injured or be struggling this much in the next 5 to 10 years? If they fail, the defense will have to be improved. If they succeed, they build on a good foundation. This is a key game for Jacksonville for the future not just the present playoff implications.