INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts play the final of two of a short AFC South Division swing in Week 7, when they play host to the Jacksonville Jaguars.
It'll be a shortened week for the Colts, who will be coming off a Monday Night Football contest against the Tennessee Titans.
With the season right around the corner, let's take a close look at the matchup:**
Week 7:**
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday, Oct. 22; 1 p.m.
Lucas Oil Stadium2016 synopsis:
The Jacksonville Jaguars last season finished with a 3-13 record, placing fourth in the AFC South Division. The team had actually won two straight over the Colts and Chicago Bears Weeks 4 and 6 to get to 2-3, but then lost nine in a row before defeating the Titans, 38-17, in Week 16 in their first game under new head coach Doug Marrone, who replaced the fired Gus Bradley.
The Jacksonville offense ranked below the league average in 2016, gaining 334.9 yards per game, ranking 23rd in the NFL. The team ranked 20th in passing (233 yards per game) and 22nd in rushing (101.9 yards per game).
Quarterback Blake Bortles seemed to take a step back in 2016, as he completed 368-of-625 pass attempts (58.9) for 3,905 yards with 23 touchdowns to 16 interceptions. Bortles, who was sacked 34 times on the year, also ran the ball 58 times for 359 yards with three rushing scores.
The Jacksonville running game was led by T.J. Yeldon (130 rushes, 465 yards, one touchdown) and Chris Ivory (117 rushes, 439 yards and three touchdowns). Wide receivers Allen Robinson (73 receptions, 883 yards, six touchdowns) and Marqise Lee (63 receptions, 851 yards, three touchdowns) led the Jaguars' pass catchers on the year.
The Jags' main strengths last year came on defense, where they allowed 321.7 yards per game, ranking sixth in the league. Jacksonville was strong against the pass, allowing just 215.2 yards per game, ranking fifth in the NFL, and ranked 14th in the league in rushing defense (106.4 yards allowed per game).
They were led by linebackers Paul Posluszny (133 total tackles, 1.5 sacks, one interception, three passes defensed) and Jonathan Cyprien (126 total tackles, 1 sack, four passes defensed, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery). Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue had a team-best eight sacks, while cornerback Jalen Ramsey and linebacker Telvin Smith each picked off two passes.
The Jaguars would have no representatives selected to play in the Pro Bowl last season.Key additions:
Cornerback A.J. Bouye, defensive tackle Calais Campbell, safety Barry Church, tight end Mychal Rivera, defensive end Lerentee McCray, defensive end Malliciah Goodman, linebacker Josh McNary2017 NFL Draft picks:
Running back Leonard Fournette (Round 1, Pick 4), tackle Cam Robinson (Round 2, Pick 2), defensive end Dawuane Smoot (Round 3, Pick 4), wide receiver Dede Westbrook (Round 4, Pick 3), linebacker Blair Brown (Round 5, Pick 4), cornerback Jalen Myrick (Round 7, Pick 4), fullback Marquez Williams (Round 7, Pick 22).Key losses:
Safety John Cyprien (Titans), cornerback Prince Amukamara (Bears), defensive end Dan Skuta (Bears), guard Luke Joeckel (Seahawks), halfback Joe Banyard (Bills), halfback Daryl Richardson (free agent), wide receiver Tony Washington (Patriots), linebacker Sean Porter (free agent), halfback Denard Robinson (free agent), defensive tackle Tyson Alualu (Pittsburgh Steelers), defensive end Roy Miller (Kansas City Chiefs), defensive tackle Sen'Derrick Marks (free agent), tackle Kelvin Beachum (New York Jets), defensive lineman Jared Odrick (free agent), defensive lineman Jordan Hill (Lions), cornerback Davon House (Packers)Series history vs. Colts:
Colts lead, 22-10.Last matchup:
Jan. 1, 2017: Colts 24, Jaguars 20; Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis).
2017 Colts Season Previews:
• Week 1 (at Los Angeles Rams)
• Week 2 (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
• Week 3 (vs. Cleveland Browns)
• Week 4 (at Seattle Seahawks)
• Week 5 (vs. San Francisco 49ers)
• Week 6 (at Tennessee Titans)
• Week 7 (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Week 8 (at Cincinnati Bengals)
• Week 9 (at Houston Texans)
• Week 10 (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
• Week 12 (vs. Tennessee Titans)
• Week 13 (at Jacksonville Jaguars)
• Week 14 (at Buffalo Bills)
• Week 15 (vs. Denver Broncos)
• Week 16 (at Baltimore Ravens)
• Week 17 (vs. Houston Texans)
The analysis from those producing content on Colts.com does not necessarily represent the thoughts of the Indianapolis Colts organization. Any conjecture, analysis or opinions formed by Colts.com content creators is not based on inside knowledge gained from team officials, players or staff.
