Colts vs Jaguars: 3 keys for the offense in Week 11

Keys for the offense in Week 11.

The Indianapolis Colts offense has been sputtering recently. The recent lack of success has been due to injuries, undisciplined play and more specifically, the offensive line hasn’t played up to their standard. It’s a combination of factors leading to the recent production.

Unlike previous years when Jacksonville had one of the best defenses in the NFL, they’re about middle of the pack this season statistically. They’re 13th in points allowed per game (21), 16th in total yards allowed (350), and 19th in yards per play (5.6).

So this Jaguars defense can be had on Sunday if the Colts focus on these three areas:

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

1. Win upfront

This Colts offensive line has not been playing up to par the past few weeks, and some of that could be due to the defensive lines that they’ve faced. And while there could be other reasons, but right now they’re getting whipped upfront.

Over the past three games, the Colts run offense has taken a step back only averaging 4.2 yards per rush attempt. The pass protection also hasn’t been as good, the offensive line has given up 10 sacks over the last three games while only giving up six sacks in the first six games.

The Jaguars still have a very talented front four with Calais Campbell, Taven Bryan, Josh Allen and Yannick Ngakoue. On the season Allen leads the team in sacks with seven and second is Campbell with 5.5. They get after the quarterback too, 8th in the NFL in sack percentage on 8.8% of pass plays. But they aren’t a great run defense. They are 22nd in rush yards allowed (120), and 29th in rush yards allowed per attempt (4.9).