Cecil Shorts ran past the Colts defense for the game-winning score. (AP) |
Everything seemed to be going well for the Indianapolis Colts. They were leading 14-3 at halftime, and the Jacksonville Jaguars passing game was nonexistent. Stop Jags RB Maurice Jones-Drew -- a long time Colts nemesis -- and win easily.
But Indianapolis did neither.
Jones-Drew went for 177 yards on 28 carries, and the Jaguars (1-2, 1-0 AFC South) got past the Colts (1-2, 0-1 AFC South) 22-17 in Indianapolis. The rest of the Jacksonville offense was largely ineffective until an 80-yard touchdown pass from QB Blaine Gabbert to WR Cecil Shorts. But even that was nothing special -- just a simple slant pass.
Even with the defensive lapse, the Colts' offense was no better in the second half. Not only did K Adam Vinatieri miss a chip shot, Luck was off, forcing throws and turning the ball over, allowing the Jags back into the game. Still, Luck was impressive driving the ball in clutch situations, including a late first-half drive and two drives toward the end of the game. First, he led the Colts down the field for a go-ahead field goal. Then, after Shorts' touchdown, he drove to the Jacksonville 26, although his final prayer went unanswered.
When the game turned: Although his production has been dutifully compensated for by Donnie Avery, WR Austin Collie's knee injury early in the second half seemingly deflated the Colts offense. Collie, after getting his first catch of the season, went down clutching his knee, and the Indianapolis faithful let out an audible groan. Indy's offense, for whatever reason, was never quite the same.
Highlight moments: Obviously, the catch-and-run score from Shorts, which essentially sealed the game for Jacksonville. Also, rookie T.Y. Hilton had a touchdown catch in the first quarter that was less spectacular than impressive. Hilton, a speedster out of Florida International, did what he did in college -- run past everyone. It seemed easy last year, but that was the Sun Belt. Although it seemed just as easy Sunday. He will be a major weapon for the Colts this season.
Top-shelf performance: Just one -- Jones-Drew: 28 carries, 177 yards and a touchdown. He has long been a Colts killer. Just adding to his legacy.
What they said about the Cecil Shorts touchdown:
- Colts head coach Chuck Pagano: "We make no excuses. Credit Jacksonville for hanging tough and making the play. They made one and we didn't."
- More from Pagano: “We were out of bodies. And again we make no excuses, credit Jacksonville for hanging tough and making the play. They made one and we didn’t. They didn’t have any timeouts, you can sit there and evaluate, hindsight is always 20/20 but we had some guys in there that don’t normally play at those positions. But they’re in that two-deep coverage concept over there and they split us, which can happen. But they made one heck of a play.”
- Cornerback Jerraud Powers: “We were in a zone type. [Shorts] hit the seam and out ran the rest of us basically. They made a play and we didn’t when we had to. Tough way to end a game like that, lose a game like that. We’ll watch film and make corrections.”
- Safety Antoine Bethea: “We were there. It was really just a good pitch and catch and we couldn’t catch him. It’s something we have to learn from and can’t let it happen again.”
- Linebacker Jerry Hughes: “Just a tough play. Everybody is out there fighting. [Shorts]got loose. [Blaine Gabbert] was able to get enough time to see him and the receiver did all the work. It was just a tough play. We were out there fighting but sometimes things happen.”
- Jaguars coach Mike Mularkey: “Great throw, great catch, great call by Bob Bratkowski. He had hit the play earlier to Kevin Elliot that got us out of their territory and came back to it and Cecil, talk about great timing, that thing just whizzed around the ear of the defender. Cecil to catch it with his hands, in stride, and outrun everybody, great play. Those are the kinds of plays we got to make more of in games, so we are not into these games in the end and win them in the last minute.”
- Wide receiver Cecil Shorts: “It was Blaine [Gabbert], Blaine and the offensive line. He threw a great ball. He found the window, made the right read and threw a hell of a ball. He put that ball exactly where it needed to be. It kind of snuck up on me. He put a little mustard on it. Blaine did a hell of a job. With time, we are going to prove people wrong.”
Numbers you should know:
- Each team had the same number of drives -- 12 -- and Indianpolis had 104 more total yards. In a game where the Colts' offense was clearly superior, Jacksonville found a way to win. That is more an indictment on Indianapolis than an accomplishment for the Jags.
- And, obviously, MJD's monster day. The Colts really miss LBs Dwight Freeney and Pat Angerer.
Injury update: Collie, who left the game with a right knee injury, was helped off the field -- he put no pressure on the knee -- and was later carted off. An MRI is likely Monday. Also, C Samson Satele left the game with an apparent knee injury and didn't return. CB Vontae Davis limped off the field late as well.
Going forward: Colts: This is really one the Colts needed. They are heading into their bye week 1-2, and the Packers are coming up after that. This could have been a huge division win, but instead, it's a disappointing loss to what appears to be an inferior opponent. Jags: The Jaguars will get the Bengals and Bears in Jacksonville successively after their first win of the season Sunday. They will then have a bye week heading into a trip to Oakland.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Colts blogger Evan Hilbert, follow @CBSColts.