Finally, it’s over.
The Jacksonville Jaguars concluded their 2020 season Sunday after falling to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium by a score of 28-14. As a result, the Jags finished the season with the worst record in the league and in their franchise’s history, while the Colts will advance to the playoffs.
Sunday’s game was one in which the Colts started hot and never looked back. They got off to a 20-0 start against the Jags with the first touchdown coming from T.Y. Hilton early in the first quarter. As for their second touchdown, it came as the result of Indy taking advantage of a Mike Glennon fumble (caused by Darius Leonard) at the Jags’ 36-yard line. The Colts were also able to add two field goals before the half courtesy of Rodrigo Blankenship.
However, before the half could end, receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. put the Jags on the board after scoring off a slant pattern where he beat cornerback TJ Carrie. As a result, the Colts went into halftime up 20-7.
After the half, Shenault would continue his success through the air by snagging another touchdown during the Jags first drive of the third quarter. He was able to link up with Glennon on an outside post where he got a step on Leonard and was hit with a perfect pass from his veteran cornerback. Of course, that was the last score of the game for the Jags and also was the only score of the quarter, putting the game at a score of 20-14.
With their playoff hopes being threatened, the Colts went ahead to finish the job thanks to rookie tailback Johnathan Taylor. With the ball at around the mid-field point, Taylor was able to bust a 45-yard rush open and take it to the house, putting a dagger in the heart of the Jags. Afterward, Hilton was able to help with a 2-point conversion, which gave Indy a two-touchdown lead and put the game at its final scoring figure.
The loss marked another game in which the Jags’ defense allowed over 400 yards (437 to be exact), which is an issue that has been an ongoing problem all year. A majority of those yards came from Taylor, who had a whopping total of 30 carries for 253 yards and two touchdowns.
As for the Jags, it was pretty much a roller-coaster day for Glennon, who took the field for his fourth start of the season and finished his day 26-of-42, for 261 yards, and two touchdowns. Meanwhile, receiver Chris Conley led the way in receiving with seven catches for 87 yards and Dare Ogunbowale was the rushing leader with 14 carries for 50 yards.
With Week 17’s game in the books, it’s now on to the 2021 offseason, which will involve many changes. That includes the fate of coach Doug Marrone, who will meet with ownership Monday and is expected to be fired in the coming days.
Afterward, they will be tasked with finding his replacement and a new general manager, then it’s on to the 2021 NFL Draft where the Jags have 11 selections, including the No. 1 overall pick.