Colts Win Ugly Surviving the Jaguars in OT 16-13

By Dave McKee | Oct 5, 2015

The Colts survived several scares from Jacksonville winning in overtime, 16-13. Without Andrew Luck under center, the Colts proved the old adage “age and wisdom prevails over youth and exuberance”.

The Colts, with Matt Hasselbeck starting, remained competitive throughout the game never trailing by more than seven points. Jacksonville had several opportunities to put the Colts away late missing one field goal at the end of regulation and another in overtime. Instead it was the play of savvy 40-year-old veteran Matt Hasselbeck setting up 42-year-old Adam Vinatieri for the game winning field goal.

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This game severely lacked in style points but it was a needed this win. Facing a divisional opponent without your franchise quarterback and needing a win is usually not a recipe for success. Jacksonville came to play on Sunday and quarterback Blake Bortles showed poise and calm on every possession. Bortles conducted two game-winning drives only to have them fall short with missed field goals.

Meanwhile, Adam Vinatieri nailed three field goals from 27, 32 and 54 yards out. In doing so, Vinatieri became the first player in NFL history to score 1,000 points with two different franchises.

The other 40-something, Matt Hasselbeck played like he was still in his prime, sliding in the pocket and spinning out of sacks. Hasselbeck was sacked three times and took several big shots standing in pocket but he delivered the ball every time.

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The best example was the hit he took sliding to the right before taking a shot on the chin and delivering a sidearm dart to Coby Fleener for the tying touchdown in the second quarter.

The Jaguars came into Indianapolis with a game plan designed to take away the Colts running game and force Hasselbeck to win with his arm. Hasselbeck did exactly that.

The accomplished backup, Hasselbeck was 30-off-47 for 282 yards and one touchdown. Hasselbeck utilized a hurry-up offense that was predicated on the short passing game before evolving into intermediate and deep routes later in the game.

Hasselbeck relied heavily on tight end Coby Fleener. In total, Fleener caught 9 passes for 83 yards and made several big plays in the game including his previously mentioned touchdown.

Oct 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

Jacksonville’s game plan against the run was effective holding Frank Gore from 9 carries for an underwhelming 6 yards. Gore and the rest of the running game gained traction in the second half and overtime.

In fact, it was Frank Gore’s 22-yard run in overtime that put the Colts within a chip-shot range for Vinatieri’s game winning field goal. For Gore, the 22 yard carry was redemption for an earlier fumble at the goal line that could have gave the Colts the lead for good. Gore finished the game with 17 carries for 53-yards.

Defensively, D’Qwell Jackson continued his high-level performance tallying 17 tackles for the game. Jackson is playing much more comfortably within the defense this season and his numbers show it. Jackson currently leads the NFL with 47 tackles.

Much of that success can also be attributed to the guys in front of Jackson eating up the blockers and giving Jackson and fellow inside linebacker Jerrell Freeman lanes to rush the passer or stuff the run. The combination of Kendall Langford, David Parry and Henry Anderson have been a bright spot through the first four games of the season.

On the downside, the Colts need Greg Toler back sooner than later as Darius Butler continues to be abused on the outside. He was targeted heavily by Blake Bortles and Butler failed to prevent several deep passes despite giving a 10+ yard cushion to the receiver he was over. Butler is a great nickel corner but lacks the size and speed for playing outside the numbers.

The Colts look to have Andrew Luck back under center despite having a short week. Luck was inactive against Jacksonville with a shoulder subluxation, which is doctor-speak for a partially dislocated shoulder. The Colts travel to Houston to play the Texans on Thursday Night Football. The primetime matchup will be broadcast on CBS. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:20 pm EST.

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