The Indianapolis Colts were down six starters Thursday night when they played the Jaguars in Jacksonville, but you never would have known based on the game's outcome. Vontae Davis and Jerraud Powers -- Indy's two starting cornerbacks -- were out, along with outside linebacker Robert Mathis. It didn't matter much, as the Colts easily got past the Jags, 27-10.
Indianapolis (6-3, 2-1 AFC South) had its way with Jacksonville (1-8, 1-2 AFC South), despite the cobbled-together defensive secondary. Without Davis and Powers, Indy was forced to employ Cassius Vaughn, Darius Butler and Josh Gordy in the defensive backfield. Butler made good on his opportunity to play, picking off a Blaine Gabbert pass and returning it for a score.
The usual suspects -- QB Andrew Luck and WR Reggie Wayne -- were their normal, productive selves, and rookie running back Vick Ballard was again impressive. Luck finished 18 of 26 for 227 yards with a pick, but had two more rushing touchdowns, bringing his team-leading total to five. Wayne, meanwhile, had eight catches for 96 yards. Ballard, who saw the majority of the action out of the backfield in place of a banged-up Donald Brown, finished with 14 touches for 59 yards.
The Jaguars were never really able to mount much of a comeback or threaten at all. Gabbert finished just 18 of 31 for 209 yards and a pick. Jacksonville was again without RB Maurice Jones-Drew, and his absence was felt. MJD had 193 total yards when these teams first met, a 22-17 Jaguar win, and their only win of the season.
When the game turned: By game's end, this moment didn't have much significance, but a missed Josh Scobee field goal -- his first of the season -- in the first quarter ended up being a 10-point swing. Following Scobee's miss, which would have tied the game, Indianapolis marched back down the field for a touchdown, giving it what felt like an insurmountable 10-0 lead.
Highlight moments: Very few in what ended up being something of a dull game. Luck hit wide receiver Donnie Avery on a deep ball, and Butler's INT return was at least somewhat different and unexpected.
Maybe the best was when Luck scored on the fourth-and-goal play to make it 17-0. It wasn't clear that he had crossed the goal line because the pile-up shielded all cameras from a clear review. The call stood and Jags coach Mike Mularkey threw his clipboard and headset while mouthing a clear obscenity. He was given an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty.
What they said:
- Colts QB Andrew Luck, to NFL Network, on getting to 6-3: "It's nice to be 6-3, but that's just one step in the journey. It's no end-goal by any means. We know it only gets harder from here."
- Luck on his "tackle" of Jaguars CB Dawan Landy: "If I'm gonna be the one turning the ball over, I damn sure better be the one that at least tries to stop the guy from getting into the end zone."
- Luck on the Colts' mindset: "We have a lot of confidence in ourselves. We're prepared to win football games; we're prepared to lose football games."
- Colts WR Reggie Wayne, to NFL Network, on Luck: "I'm glad I'm on his side. He's been able to do some things I'm not used to. He's been able to use his legs. I think he throws better on the run...I just want to help him be the best he can."
Top shelf performances:
- Colts CB Darius Butler: 4 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 TD
- Colts QB Andrew Luck: 18 of 26, 227 yards, 7 carries, 11 yards, 2 rushing TDs
- Colts WR Reggie Wayne: 8 catches, 96 yards
- Jags CB Dawan Landry: 8 tackles, 1 INT
Numbers you should know: 5 and 2 -- The first being the number of rushing touchdowns produced by Luck this season, and the latter being the combined number of rushing TDs by the rest of the Colts offense. Though Brown and Ballard have been effective out of the backfield, the Indianapolis red zone offense could struggle against quality opponents with a suspect rushing attack.
Injury update: Jags -- Gabbert left in the fourth quarter with a bum shoulder, but he isn't expected to miss any time in the future. Colts -- Defensive tackle Drake Nevis left with a hand injury. His status is unknown.
Going forward: Jaguars -- They'll endure a long week before traveling to Houston and then getting the Titans at home. Colts -- A trip to New England comes next week before Buffalo visits Lucas Oil Stadium.
