The Jaguars suffered major breakdowns in both rushing offense and defense during a 34-24 loss to the Colts that robbed them of the chance to control their own playoff destiny.
An audio malfunction in QB David Garrard’s helmet helped contribute to the Jaguars’ failure to convert a fourth down early in the third quarter.
Said Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio, “If we’re going to beat these guys, we have to be able to get a hard yard when we need it.”
Jaguars PR Mike Thomas took one kick back for a touchdown, but fumbled another when a Colts player hit him after being blocked in the back during a fair catch.
Garrard set a Jaguars single-season record by throwing his 21st and 22nd touchdown passes of the year.
LB Tyjuan Hagler picked up an onside kick and scampered 41 yards for a touchdown to put the final touches on a big Colts victory.
Colts WR Austin Collie had eight catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns before suffering another concussion, and the Colts dropped from 6.6 yards per play to 4.6 after he left the game.
S Antoine Bethea’s interception in the second half helped the Colts build a two-score lead in the second half.
Said Colts LB Pat Angerer of the team’s unexpected success against the run, “It just shows the experts really aren’t experts.”
Colts RB Donald Brown broke a pair of runs of more than 40 yards en route to topping 100 yards for the first time in his career.