Jaguars vs. Colts: Breaking Down Jacksonville's Game Plan

How do you slay a giant? It’s a tough question and one that the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) will have to figure out quickly as they travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (6-4) in Week 12.

The Jaguars have had a run of tough luck lately, as they’ve seemingly regressed as a team over the past few games. Coming off a bye, they’ll need a complete, focused effort if they plan to defeat the Colts.

It will be up to head coach Gus Bradley to ensure that he’s deploying the perfect strategy for a victory. Let’s take a look at where Bradley should focus.

Offense

The key to the offense is rookie quarterback Blake Bortles. Thus far, Bortles has done little to inspire confidence in the Jaguars fanbase, but in Week 12 he faces a Colts defense that ranks 27th in the league in passing yards allowed.

The Colts have surrendered big performances to opposing quarterbacks all season, like the 331 yards from Nick Foles in Week 2 and the 522 yards from Ben Roethlisberger in Week 8.

Despite a shaky start to his rookie campaign, that has Blake Bortles leading the league in interceptions, there have been signs of hope (Bortles is sporting a 63 percent completion percentage). Additionally, Bortles has really improved his footwork in the pocket, his mobility out of the pocket and is your quintessential gunslinger.

So far this season when offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch has opened up his playbook, Bortles has thrived pushing the ball downfield. 

The Jaguars will need a lot of that on Sunday. 

Let's take a look at what I mean. 

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

In this play you’ll see Blake Bortles lined up in the pistol formation with running back Denard Robinson behind him.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

After the snap, Bortles conducts a beautiful play-action fake and rolls out to his right. Bortles is being heavily pursued by defenders but keeps his eyes downfield.

Credit: NFL Game Rewind

He then delivers a perfect strike to Allen Hurns despite the fact that he wasn't properly set. Hurns is able to complete the catch and trot in for the touchdown.

What's great about Bortles is that he possess the ability to beat you in a lot of ways. He's perhaps most dangerous in the pocket, but at the same time he's capable of making plays anywhere on the field.

Bortles' big arm will play a huge role in the Jagaurs' Week 12 matchup. The Colts have proven that when challenged through the air they struggle to keep offenses in front of them. 

In this matchup, the Jaguars should throw early and often, and lean on Bortles' ability to make big plays. As he's shown us plenty of times, he has all the tools, and if he can put them together he'll be the key to a successful day offensively. 

Defense

From a defensive perspective the key work is “pressure.”

The Jaguars have shown that they can be a dominant pass-rushing team (28 sacks this season). Led by Sen’Derrick Marks, the team has a bevy of defensive linemen who have a knack for getting to the quarterback.

That being said, Jacksonville has a tough challenge in Week 12.

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

For the most part, Andrew Luck sports a flawless game, but if there is a small (microscopic even) weakness in his abilities it’s when he’s under pressure. According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Luck is only completing 50 percent of his passes when under pressure. That being said, the Colts have only allowed 14 sacks all season.

For the Jaguars to have any shot at winning this matchup, they’ll have to get consistent pressure on Luck. It’ll be up to Gus Bradley to ensure he’s keeping fresh legs on the defensive line and to dial up some well-designed, well-disguised blitzes in order to confuse Luck.

Let’s hope Bradley dials up the blitzes.

Conclusion

This is as tough of a matchup as the Jaguars will face all season. The Colts aren’t just a playoff-caliber team—they’re a hated division rival.

Nevertheless, the Jaguars are coming off their bye week and have had plenty of time to prepare for this matchup. I expect their best effort this Sunday and hopefully an upset victory.

*All stats courtesy of NFL.com unless otherwise noted.