Colts beat Jags. Remain Undefeated

I wanted to write about this game last night when I got home from it, but felt it wouldn’t be in my best interest to write a post when filled with so much emotion. I didn’t want the anger to affect my writing. The Indianapolis Colts (13-0) came into the Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4) house and dominated them from minute 1 to minute 59. Manning threw for 300+ yards and 2 tds against what is supposed to be one of the top passing defenses in the NFL. He picked us a part and had his way with us. This was one of the most embarrassing games I have ever been to. After last year’s day after Christmas shutout against the Texans to miss the playoffs, this is right there.

Don’t let the 26-18 score fool you. Until late in the 4th quarter the Jags were only able to put up 3 points. Del Rio wanted to play ball control and pound the ball. That was his game plan and he stuck to it until it was too late. Del Rio is so scared to deviate from his plan. How he managed to get this team to a 9-4 record is beyond me. If you want to play tough pound the ball football, then at least attempt it with the right running back. Del Rio kept rotating in Fred Taylor and Greg Jones. Fred is either A. Hurt or B. Washed up and done. He just isn’t the Fred of old and needs to be released in the offseason.

Turnovers were key in this game. Kyle Brady had 3 fumbles, one of which luckily flew out of bounds. David Garrard had a fumble in the red zone that cost the Jaguars a possible score that would have tied the game. Outside of that fumble, you have to be impressed with the way Garrard plays the game. He ended with a 103 QB rating. He was able to get the ball away before taking the sack. He throws tight spirals that are on the money. He throws soft lobs when he needs to. He’s getting his timing down with the receivers and should improve each and every week.

Jimmy Smith became the 13th player in the history of the NFL to reach 12,000 yards receiving. His great moment was over shadowed by the amazing play of Marvin Harrison. Harrison was able to burn Mathis on every play. Rashean Mathis is supposed to be a pro-bowler this year. His case for the probowl may have just ended has he got embarrassed by Harrison on several occasions. Mathis bit on every move and got lit up for a 70 yards td catch. The Jags defense as a whole got shown up. All week Marcus Stroud was calling people’s houses telling us to “bring the noise”. The players hyped themselves up too much. They came out too hot. They thought they could beat the Colts and punish them on defense. They played soft and too aggressive causing 3 personal fouls on defense, one on Peterson and one on Henderson for shoving someone’s face in the ground. Way to play with honor guys.

I believed in the Jags. I bought the hype. And so did 70,000 other fans that packed into the sold out stadium. We brought the noise, but the players didn’t bring the game. The stadium was down to 40,000 during the 3rd quarter, and then about 30,000 during the 4th when the Jags actually started to play aggressive. Why do the Jags always wait until the 4th quarter to start throwing the ball? They looked amazing late in the game. They looked like a different team. They played with no heart in the first 3 quarters. They need to watch some 4th quarter film and look at what they did right. It’s always too little too late for us. One thing is for sure, I don’t ever want to hear the Jags hype themselves up and talk like they’re actually going to play and win a game that counts. Don’t get the fan’s hope up. Let us be the underdogs. We are much better in that role.

I predict the Jags will lose 1 more game to probably the Texans. We have never swept the Texans.