Good, bad, and ugly from the Jags’ loss to the Patriots

Despite the Jags having their worst performance of the season, we were able to at least find one positive to speak on in a game that wasn’t watchable past the first quarter.

Just when fans were wondering if it could get worse, the Jacksonville Jaguars  put them through the most embarrassing performance they’ve had all year after sustaining a 50-10 beatdown from the New England Patriots.

With the offense taking the field down three starting linemen and their top skill weapon in running back James Robinson, many expected the Jags to struggle with scoring, and that was exactly the case. However, the defense got back several starters from the Reserve/COVID-19 list, but that didn’t make much of a difference as New England moved the ball with ease all game.

Sunday’s game was the Jags’ last away game of the 2021 season, and it gave them a winless road game figure on the season. However, when looking back at the tape, we were able to find something positive to speak on that happened in addition to a game mostly filled with negative moments. That said, let’s evaluate Week 17’s good, bad, and ugly moments from Sunday before we move on to the Jags’ season finale:

Jaguars inactives for Week 17 game vs. Patriots

The Jags have named their four inactive players for Week 17’s game in New England, two of which were the only players on the final injury report Friday.

The Jacksonville Jaguars announced their list of inactive players for Sunday’s game against the New England Patriots and it included four players. Those players were cornerback Nevin Lawson, running back Mekhi Sargent, linebacker Dakota Allen, and tight end James O’Shaughnessy.

Allen (shoulder) and O’Shaughnessy (hip) were on Friday’s final injury report. The former was ruled questionable after being limited all week, while the latter was rule OUT after not practicing at all.

Both players sustained their respective injuries in Week 16’s game against the Jets. Allen’s injury was one that ruled him questionable to return, while O’Shaughnessy was hurt on the Jags’ last offensive drive of the game after hauling in a catch that was converted for a first-down. O’Shaughnessy was visibly in pain afterward and the team had to use a time out as a result.

The Jags just signed Sargent on Dec. 27, so there wasn’t a strong chance for him to play. However, the choice to sit Lawson is interesting as he’s one of the Jags most experienced cornerbacks with Shaquill Griffin on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

As for the Patriots’ list of inactive, they are as follows:

The good, the bad, and the ugly from the Jaguars’ 38-20 win vs. Colts

The Jags ended the season with a victory, but it feels like one that came much too late.

The Jacksonville Jaguars ended their season with a huge victory over the Indianapolis Colts by a score of 38-20 Sunday.

The Jaguars avenged an earlier loss from the Colts back in Week 12 where they were embarrassed by a score of 33-13. Sunday would provide a different story as the Jaguars would go on to set a season-high in points in their win against their division rivals.

Just as the season did, the Jags’ Week 17 game against the Colts had its share of ups and downs. Here’s a look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of the Jaguars’ season finale against the Indianapolis Colts:

The good: Ending the season on a high note

Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

The Jaguars may not have had the season that everyone had hoped for, but at least they gave the fans something to be happy about Sunday — even if only for a week.

The Jags played nearly flawless football on both ends. On the offensive side, Jaguars quarterback Gardner Minshew II played well as he finished the game 27-of-39 with 295 passing yards and three touchdowns.

Although Jaguars wide receiver D.J. Chark Jr. had a modest game, he finished with his first 1,000 yard campaign of his career ending the season with 72 receptions and 1,008 receiving yards to go along with eight receiving touchdowns.

The Jaguars secondary played one of their better games of the season, limiting Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett to a 48% completion percentage (12-of-25) for 162 yards and a 6.0 (out of 100) QBR. It was a complete improvement from their Week 12 matchup where Brissett finished with 15-of-24 passing yards with 148 yards and a touchdown.

The Jaguars played almost perfect ball on the defensive side except:

Watch: Highlights from Jaguars’ 38-20 victory over Colts

Revisit the highlights from the Jaguars’ final game of the decade as they defeated the Indianapolis Colts 38-20.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading into the offseason on a high note with a decisive 38-20 win over their AFC South rivals: the Indianapolis Colts. The Jaguars had a disappointing season in 2019, but Gardner Minshew and company decided to make one last statement as the team rallied in the second half to upset the 7-8 Colts.

Lets revisit the highlights for the final game of the decade:

The game started out in favor of the Colts as they quickly struck first with a field goal, but Jaguars’ kicker Josh Lambo quickly answered with one of his own. After a Colts touchdown and a second Jaguars field goal from Lambo, the Jaguars found the end zone on a 14-yard pitch and catch from Gardner Minshew to Keelan Cole.

The Colts quickly rallied to score 10 more points, retaking the lead 20-13. However, after that point, it was all Duval. Jacksonville fired back with a bomb of a kick from Lambo, nailing a 56-yard field goal to end the half, still trailing 20-16. We all need a hero, and for Jacksonville, no player has answered that call more so than Lambo.

In the second half, Jacksonville started right where they left off and never let off the gas pedal. With Fournette out with the flu, back-up halfback Ryquell Armstead stepped up and filled the void admirably. In the third quarter, Armstead helped Jacksonville retake the lead catching a 3-yard touchdown from Minshew.

After taking a 24-20 lead, the Jaguars pinned Indianapolis deep in their own territory, and as Ngakoue often does, the premier pass-rusher forced a fumble that cemented the Jaguars’ victory.

The fun didn’t end there as Dede Westbrook made the final statement, reeling in a 18-yard beauty from Minshew before the game ended.

Sunday’s win was fun due to the fact that the Jags’ franchise is in an awkward place in time. The team has developing young stars in place like D.J. Chark Jr., Tre Herndon, and Josh Allen to build around. With the right men at the helm, this franchise has all it needs to return to glory.

How to watch, stream, listen to Colts vs. Jags

The Jags will take the field one last time in 2019 and here is how to catch all the action.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will take the field for one last battle in 2019 and it will be against a familiar foe in the Indianapolis Colts. They will enter the game as six-point underdogs and will have an uphill battle to climb as running back Leonard Fournette will sit out with the flu.

Sunday’s game could also mark the last for coach Doug Marrone and general manager Dave Caldwell. Per NFL insider Ian Rapoport, both personnel members had a good chance to return as of last week but the team suffered another double-digit loss after the report surfaced, so both could leave the stadium looking for jobs Week 17.

With fans anticipating an offseason full of changes after Sunday’s game, here is how to watch stream and listen to Sunday’s season finale:

Game Information

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

Streaming

fuboTV (try it free)

Jaguars official smartphone app for select affiliate markets

Television

Action News CBS 47 (locally)

View coverage map here.

Radio

1010XL AM and 92.5 FM (flagship) Jaguars Radio Network

Sirius: Jaguars internet channel 814 (feed channel 135) Colts internet channel 813 (feed channel 108) 

Extras

Connect with us on Twitter (@TheJaguarsWire) and Facebook

Follow our comrades over at Colts Wire

Official page Facebook Twitter

2 Jaguars X-factors to watch vs. Colts

The Jags will look to end a season with a bang and so will Josh Allen, who they will need to have a strong day behind Yannick Ngakoue.

The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking to close the season with a bang against the Indianapolis Colts for Doug Marrone, who may be coaching in his last game with the team. With the Jags being without several key starters and entering the game as underdogs, they will need some significant contributions from some of their non-starters.

Here are two X-factors on the offensive and defensive sides who could aid the Jags to a win Week 17:

DE/LB Josh Allen

Josh Allen has had a phenomenal rookie season and should be heavily considered for Defensive Rookie of the Year. He has the chance to close the season strong and further make his case as Nick Bosa has overshadowed him despite having similar success.

Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett has the tendency to hold on to the ball too long on occasions, and when he does, the Jags pass-rush have to make him pay. That shouldn’t be and issue for Allen, who registered a sack and two tackles against the Colts in the last meeting between these two teams.

WR Keelan Cole

The Jaguars could be down two receivers against the Colts as Michael Walker (hamstring) was ruled out on the final injury report and Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder) is listed as questionable. That could leave the Jags with just four active receivers in DJ Chark Jr., Chris Conley, C.J. Board, and the ultimate opportunist, Keelan Cole.

Cole hasn’t necessarily received a lot of opportunities, but when he’s been called upon, he’s stepped up totaling 21 receptions for 294 yards and two touchdowns on the season. With the lack of scorers on the team, Chark not being 100% and the Colts’ pass defense being mediocre at best, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cole step up like he did against the Oakland Raiders a few weeks ago and lead the team in receptions.

5 Jaguars to watch vs. Colts

The Jags and Colts will duke it out on last time in 2019, and as underdogs, the Jags will need DJ Chark and several other players to step up.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have almost arrived to the most important offseason in franchise history, but before they get there, they must take care of business in their 2019 season finale against the Indianapolis Colts. As the underdogs for Sunday’s game, they will need several players to step up and here are the five we think could play a big role in Week 17’s AFC South battle:

Mandatory Credit: Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

RB Ryquell Armstead

Saturday afternoon, running back Leonard Fournette announced that he wouldn’t be playing against the Colts after he was downgraded to doubtful on the final injury report with the flu. With that being the case, rookie tailback Ryquell Armstead will get his first career start.

With or without Fournette, the key for the Jags will be to control the clock, which means offensive coordinator John DeFilippo should make him the biggest part of the game plan. In the limited time Armstead has seen on the field, he’s also been a solid receiver, so that may be an asset in which DeFilippo may want to consider using as the Colts’ passing defense (No. 22) is significantly worse than their rush defense (No. 8).

Gardner Minshew, Leonard Fournette amongst 6 players ruled as questionable vs. Colts

The Jacksonville Jaguars only ruled out one player for their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts in receiver Michael Walker (hamstring), but there were several starters ruled questionable. On the offensive side, Gardner Minshew II …

The Jacksonville Jaguars only ruled out one player for their season finale against the Indianapolis Colts in receiver Michael Walker (hamstring), but there were several starters ruled questionable. On the offensive side, Gardner Minshew II (shoulder) and Leonard Fournette (neck) will be game day decisions, while A.J. Bouye (wrist) will be one on the defensive side.

Fournette and Walker didn’t practice Friday, however, Bouye and Minshew were limited. That’s likely not a good sign for Fournette, who has played in all of the Jags’ games this year and has done a good job staying healthy. If he’s unable to play, rookie Ryquell Armstead and Devine Ozigbo are the only two other tailbacks on the roster, while Nick Foles would replace Minshew and Brandon Watson or Parry Nickerson would get an opportunity in Bouye’s place.

Another key player who surfaced on the injury report was receiver Dede Westbrook (neck/shoulder), who didn’t practice Friday after fully participating Wednesday and Thursday. If he can’t play, the Jags will have DJ Chark Jr., Chris Conley, Keelan Cole, C.J. Board available at the receiver position.

As for the Indianapolis Colts, they ruled two players out in cornerback Quincy Wilson and tailback Jordan Wilkins. However, it hasn’t been revealed as to what players have been ruled questionable, but we’ll provide an update on their full report when it becomes available.