Key Match-ups Revisited: Colts vs Jaguars Week 11

Rock Ya-Sin and Marvell Tell vs D.J Chark

The Colts were without their top cornerback, facing one of the best young receivers in the NFL. D.J Chark has been having himself a breakout season with the Jaguars in his second year, and actually started off the game by burning Marvell Tell III en route to a 34-yard touchdown. After that, however, the Colts rookie cornerbacks managed to keep him quiet for most of the game. Make no mistake, even though Chark’s final stat line shows 8 receptions for 104 yards and 2 scores, he made little to no impact after his first touchdown. 18 of those yards came on a dump-off with 1 second remaining the first half, and the other touchdown came late in the 4th in garbage time. The Colts rookie cornerbacks have looked solid in recent weeks.

Colts offensive line vs Jags defensive line

What a matchup this one was. The Colts offensive line had not been good in recent weeks leading to this matchup against a vaunted Jags defensive line which features edge rushers Yannick Ngakoue and Josh Allen, while also having Calais Campbell on the inside. Even though the Colts struggled a bit in pass protection, allowing 3 sacks and several quarterback hits, the run blocking was absolutely dominant this game, opening up holes all day long and allowing the Colts running back to go for 236 yards and 2 scores.

Colts front 7 vs Jaguars running backs

First of all, a PSA for everyone, Leonard Fournette is not a good NFL running back. His season numbers are extremely deceiving and they are up there only because he has a trio of explosive running plays that ballooned his YPC numbers. He only has one rushing touchdown this season, even Tom Brady has more than him. The Colts front 7 did a wonderful job against him and contained him to just 23 yards on 8 carries. The return of Jabaal Sheard and the emergence of Grover Stewart as the starting 1-tech defensive tackle has transformed the Colts run defense.

Colts vs Injuries

What is up with the injury bug here in Indianapolis? The Colts can’t seem to catch a break on the injury front, as star running back Marlon Mack suffered a fractured hand and emerging safety Khari Willis suffered a concussion late in the game. The injury report for this week is beyond ludicrous, and with a crucial game against the Texans coming up, let’s just hope some players can get healthy enough to play come Thursday.

Adam Vinatieri vs Footballs. His special teams unit. The uprights.

It seems like the Colts finally got their kicking situation together. After yet another crucial missed PAT against the Dolphins, the field goal unit made some changes in their process and the results showed on Sunday. Not only was Vinatieri perfect on all 5 of his kicks (1 FG, 4 PATs), but the ball also came out different from his foot. Before, it seemed like the ball spun sideways, and it looked very awkward, against the Jags, the ball finally looked okay, which might suggest that the changes worked and the field goal unit has refound its groove.