INDIANAPOLIS –First Quarter Recap
The Jaguars won the toss and deferred to the second half.
It was a three-and-out start for the Colts with a Robert Turbin drop ending things.
Jacksonville took over at its own 14-yard line and drove into field goal range. After a 42-yard reception by Allen Robinson, the Jaguars got a 47-yard field goal from kicker Jason Myers. The Jags lead was 3-0 at the 10:05 mark of the first quarter.
Another three-and-out came from the Colts with Andrew Luck missing a wide open Frank Gore on first down.
It was a very impressive start for the Jaguars. This scoring drive ended in a touchdown after moving 75 yards in 7 plays. The lead for the Jags was 10-0 at the 5:57 mark of the first.
The extremely slow start for the Colts continued with a third straight three-and-out.
Sunday's first punt for the Jaguars came late in the first quarter after a nice pass breakup from Vontae Davis.
The opening quarter ended with the Colts having a fourth straight three-and-out to begin their season finale.
At the end of the first quarter, the Jaguars led the Colts 10-0.
Second Quarter Recap
After crossing midfield on their next drive, the Jaguars had to punt following a false start penalty.
The most promising drive of the day for the Colts took place early in the second quarter. But an Andrew Luck interception halted things at the Jaguars' 18-yard line. The back foot throw from Luck never had a chance to get to his intended receiver, T.Y. Hilton.
Jacksonville would give the turnover right back to the Colts. Erik Walden did his best Robert Mathis' impression, with a blindside strip/sack of Blake Bortles.
The Colts could not take advantage of it though. A sack of Andrew Luck on third down backed up the Colts and Adam Vinatieri missed from 48 yards out.
The Jaguars wasted little time moving down the field. Two plays after the missed field goal, backup running back Corey Grant found a crease and took off 57 yards for the touchdown. The score was now 17-0 in favor of the Jaguars with 5:45 to go in the first half.
Getting T.Y. Hilton involved resulted in the first points of the afternoon for the Colts. Hilton's first catches of the day led to Adam Vinatieri connecting from 45 yards out. Jacksonville's lead was 17-3 with less than three minutes to go in the first half.
The Colts caught a late break right before halftime. With the Jaguars looking to score again, Jacksonville kicker Jason Myers missed wide right from 30 yards out.
At halftime, the Jaguars led the Colts 17-3.Third Quarter Recap
An initial first down from the Jaguars was all they could muster to start the third quarter.
Starting the second half, the Colts saw Frank Gore eclipse the 1,000-yard mark and Robert Turbin find the end zone. Gore's 18-yard run made him the first Colt to reach 1,000 yards since 2007 (Joseph Addai). Turbin's seventh rushing touchdown of the season cut the score to 17-10 with 10:16 to go in the third quarter.
With momentum piling up on the home sideline, the Indy defense got another stop to start the third quarter.
In a far cry from what we saw in Sunday's first half, the Colts controlled things in the third quarter. The quarter ended with the Colts dialing up a 12-play, 89-yard drive. Andrew Luck delivered a strike to Dwayne Allen for a 15-yard touchdown.
At the end of the third quarter, the score was tied at 17.Fourth Quarter Recap
Jacksonville appeared to have an answer following the 17-0 run by the Colts. But Robert Mathis wasn't going to go quietly in his final NFL game. A Mathis strip/sack (the 47th, the most in NFL history, of his career) ended a Jaguars' scoring drive in Indy territory.
A chance for the Colts to take their lead of the game ended on a botched snap. Andrew Luck couldn't handle the under center snap from Ryan Kelly. The score was still tied at 17 with 7:19 to play.
With possession precious, the Jaguars could not take advantage of the mishandled snap by Luck.
Jacksonville kicker Jason Myers shanked one from 54 yards out, giving the Colts the ball back with 3:25 remaining, at their own 44-yard line.
A pair of sacks from the Jaguars quickly led to a punt for the Colts. But the punt never had a chance with Jaguars linebacker Dan Skuta blocking Pat McAfee's punt attempt. The block gave the Jaguars the ball at the Indy 30-yard line with 1:50 left.
Jason Myers' struggles inside of Lucas Oil Stadium finally ended with a 41-yard field goal. The score was now 20-17 in favor of the Jags with 1:33 remaining, but the Colts were without any timeouts.
The late-game drama wasn't at all done. Andrew Luck led a rapid fire drive traveling 75 yards in 8 plays and 1:24, with Jack Doyle catching a one-yard touchdown pass. The TD came with nine seconds remaining and gave the Colts a thrilling season finale win.
The 2016 season has now come to a close for the Colts (8-8). They will miss the playoffs in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1997-98.
Colts In-Game Injuries
S-T.J. Green (AC sprain, questionable)
NT-David Parry (pec strain, OUT)
Colts Inactives
C-Austin Blythe
CB-Darius Butler (concussion)
CB-Rashaan Melvin
WR-Donte Moncrief
OLB-Deiontrez Mount
DE-Kristjan Sokoli
OT-Jeremy Vujnovich
Colts Pre-Game Notes
- Sunday will be the final game for Robert Mathis. After 14 seasons in the NFL (all with the Colts), Mathis will retire as the franchise sack leader.
- The Colts are 2-3 against the AFC South this season.
- For the first time since 1997-98, the Colts have missed the playoffs in consecutive seasons.
Weather Update-Winter is here for New Year's Day in Indianapolis. The roof and window will be closed Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts have teamed up with Uber and ICJI to help fans ride responsibly on game day! Download the Uber app and enter code COLTS2016 for a free first ride up to $15. Make the right call - get home safe with Uber!
