Drew runs Jags past winless Colts 17-3

John Frary, ESPN Radio

Two of the three lowest scoring teams in the NFL played against each other in Indianapolis on Sunday. “It sure didn’t disappoint in that regard” stated CBS commentator Steve Beuerlein at halftime.

The game was tied at 3-3 and both starting quarterbacks didn’t even have 100 yards passing combined. Jacksonville dominated Indianapolis in the second half on their way to a 17-3 victory.

The game was very boring in the 1^st half. Neither team could mount much of a offensive drive. Josh Scobee of the Jaguars even missed his first field goal attempt of the season, after making 15-15 previously. It appeared Jacksonville would score early in the 1^st quarter. Drew Coleman picked off Curtis Painter on the 3^rd play of the game deep inside Colts territory.

The Jaguars turned right around and gave the ball back to Indianapolis two plays later. Rookie Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert threw a ill advised pass from the Colts 21 yard line right into the hands of cornerback Jerroud Powers. Two turnovers in the first 5 plays of the game was a microcosm of both teams offensive struggles all season.

The one offensive highlight all day long was Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Jones-Drew ran hard and through tackles for hard earned yards throughout the game. He surpassed 6,000 rushing yards in the NFL midway through the 1^st quarter.

The run that sent Jones-Drew over the 6,000 yard rushing mark was the first play of a 35 yard drive that led to the initial score of the game. The drive started at Jacksonville’s 40 yard line and Jones-Drew had carries of 8, 15 and 4 yards on consecutive plays.

Eventually the Jaguars stalled at Indianapolis 26 yard line and settled for a Josh Scobee 44 yard field goal. Any score in this game was much larger than normal considering both teams anemic offenses.

The Colts had been outscored 120-24 in their previous three contests and it didn’t get much better on this day. They did manage to tie the game at 3-3 early in the 2^nd quarter on a Adam Vinatieri 42 yard field goal.

Curtis Painter found Jacob Tamme wide open on a 29 yard pass completion and Pierre Garcon got 18 yards on a end around to put Indianapolis in field goal range. The rest of the half was like watching paint dry on a wall- very little offense or rhythm.

The Jaguars came into this contest averaging 12.3 points a game. On most days, that won’t get it done, but this wasn’t one of those days. Jacksonville already won a game earlier this season without even scoring a touchdown and they wouldn’t require one today either.

There was only one long scoring drive in the game. The Jaguars got a huge lift on a illegal hands to the face penalty on a apparent Robert Mathis sack. The violation occurred on a 3^rd down and gave Jacksonville a first down on their 46 yard line. The Jaguars capitalize on the fortuitous break and marched 86 yards and scored a touchdown on a beautiful 11 yard pass from Gabbert to Jarrett Dillard.

It’s the holiday season and Gabbert did go to Dillard’s, but for a touchdown and not a ring as the commercials on TV show. The Jaguars were back in front 10-3 late in the 3^rd quarter and this is all the points they would need.

Blaine Gabbert had completions of 17 yards to DejI Karim on a 3^rd and 17 and 13 yards to

Chastin West that contributed mightly on the scoring march. They ate up 9:40 seconds of the clock and this was much more valuable than usual against the low scoring Colts.

The Colts never seriously threatened to tie the game back up in the 4^th quarter. Curtis Painter was so ineffective that he was replaced by Dan Orlovsky at quarterback with less than 5:00 remaining in the game,

The final score of the game came on a Maurice Jones-Drew 3 yard touchdown run. It was fitting that Jacksonville’s defense intercepted Orlovsky off of a deflection that wound up falling right into the hands of Jaguars defensive tackle Tyson Alualu inside Indianapolis 10 yard line late in the 4^th quarter.

The Jaguars scored three plays later on Jones-Drew vault into the end zone. This was the second game this season that Jacksonville held a opponent to single digits. They had defeated Baltimore 12-7 in October.

Jack Del Rio sounded more relieved than joyous after the game. “Glad to see we finished with a little style” stated Del Rio referring to the Alualu interception. The Jaguars head coach was critical of his rookie quarterback after the game. “Might have to go for high degree of difficulty regarding passes, not making enough of the routine plays” regarding Blaine Gabbert’s performance on Sunday.

Jeremy Mincey had a career day at defensive end for Jacksonville. He made 2.5 sacks and forced the Orlovsky deflection which led to the Alualu interception late in the game. Mincey was asked about facing Indianapolis without quarterback Peyton Manning. “Gives you a chance, Peyton gets rid of the ball, whether it’s complete or not” speaking about his 2.5 sacks after the game.

“He’s a special guy, amazing the way he competes” said Jack Del Rio about Maurice Jones-Drew stellar achievement surpassing 6,000 career rushing yards. This game was ugly to watch at times, but for a team at 2-6 and in search of a victory anyways, anyhow, it was a thing of beauty in Jacksonville.

Game notes: Blaine Gabbert finished 14/21 for 118 yards with one interception and one touchdown for a 77.1 quarterback rating. Maurice Jones-Drew had 114 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown. Chastin West led Jacksonville in receiving with 3 catches for 39 yards. Jarret

Dillard had two receptions for 30 yards and one touchdown. Drew Coleman and Paul Posluszny each had a interception. The Jaguars had 5 sacks. Curtis Painter went 13/19 for 94 yards with 2 interceptions and a 40.1 quarterback rating. Dan Orlovsky went 7/10 for 67 yards and a 88.3 quarterback rating with one interception.

Injury update: Defensive tackle Terrance Knighton didn’t play Sunday and cornerback Rasheen Mathis left the game in the 1^st quarter with a injury to his left knee. It is feared that this could be a torn ACL, but at this time it’s unconfirmed. Knighton is day to day with a strained groin muscle. They will both be reevaluated during the upcoming week.

Upcoming schedule: The Jaguars will remain on the road for the 2^nd consecutive week at Cleveland. The game is at 1p.m Sunday November 20^th and will be broadcast on your local CBS affiliate.

Final analysis: A much needed for Jacksonville. This team has been struggling mightily offensively and a winless Indianapolis team is just what the doctor ordered. That being said, you won’t win many more game with only 118 passing yards. Blaine Gabbert continues to struggle on the routine passes and isn’t accurate enough. Granted he is a rookie and make a nice touchdown pass to Jarrett Dillard late in the 3^rd quarter. The offensive line isn’t protecting Blaine good enough either. The defense continues to shine for Jacksonville in 11 and their two interceptions and 5 sacks were huge in this 17-3 win. The Jaguars must continue to improve in the passing game and score more points for this team to improve and grow.

John Frary, ESPN Radio