The Indianapolis Colts' up-and-down 2015 season has took an ugly left turn on Sunday in a 51-16 road loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here's some notes, quotes and observations from the Colts' disastrous loss.
Notes:
With Sunday's loss, the Colts (6-7) fall a half game behind the Houston Texans for first place in the AFC South. It'll likely be division title or bust for Indianapolis, with three 8-5 teams currently vying for the AFC's two Wild Card spots.
The Jaguars' offense has been a revelation over the past two weeks, dropping 90 combined points on the Titans and Colts. Don't count Jacksonville out of the AFC South race. If the Texans lose to the Pats on Sunday night, Jacksonville (5-8) will be one game behind Indy and Houston with three to play.
Indianapolis' 16-game division winning streak is over, in large part due to an awful defense performance and two turnovers. The Colts last lost a division game at Houston in December of 2012.
Seven different players scored for Jacksonville. Bortles connected with three of them (Allen Hurns, Allen Robinson, Julius Thomas) on touchdown passes.
Indianapolis QB Matt Hasselbeck was hurt twice in this one, including a slip on the Jacksonville sideline after which he promptly slammed his helmet on the ground. He finished the game.
Quotes:
“It starts with me, OK, and everybody else. We’re in this thing together. This team will stick together, I know that. We’ll go back to work. That’s where this team is at.’’ -- Colts HC Chuck Pagano
"It was really good." -- Jags QB Blake Bortles about the team's 42-3 run in the second half.
“What makes you think they won’t? You tell me. I’m asking you. What makes you think they won’t? They’ll stick together, trust me. We have what we have. Believe it or not, you still control your own destiny.’’ -- Chuck Pagano on whether the team will rally for a fourth straight playoff berth.
"We did some good things with the run and the pass. It was a complete game." -- Jags HC Gus Bradley
Observations:
Chuck Pagano's job may be as good as gone. This is the 7th time during Pagano's tenure that the Colts have lost by 29 or more. With the collection of talent this team has, a 6-7 record and a blowout loss to Jacksonville isn't going to cut it. Even if Indianapolis rallies for a playoff berth, it'll take a Super Bowl appearance to save his job.
Don't look now, but the Jags are a much improved squad. We're not prediction that they'll make the jump to a playoff team this year, but there's enough signs of life with this team (especially the offense) to suggest that Gus Bradley's job will be safe for another offseason. Kudos to QB Blake Bortles. After taking so much criticism after his rookie year, he's rebounded in a big way for Jacksonville in 2015.
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