INDIANAPOLIS – Starting Sunday the Colts will play two games in five days, both in the AFC South.
The Colts will meet the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week Four, in a 1:00 p.m. EST kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium.
What should fans be looking for when the Colts take on the Jaguars in Week Four?
1. Healthy Luck
-All signs point to Andrew Luck playing on Sunday, but you know that right arm of his will be closely monitored. Trying to gauge the health of Luck is nearly impossible considering practice is closed. What we do know is this---the injury occurred in the Titans game and Luck was at his best during the fourth quarter (11-of-13 for 144 yards and two touchdowns), so the adrenaline within the game was obviously working.
2. Make Jaguars Play From Behind
-The Colts got off to a great start in Tennessee, taking an early 14-0 lead in the second quarter. They could not put the Titans away though and the tide quickly turned. With the Colts back at home on Sunday, an early lead would do wonders. The Jaguars have to be reeling a little bit after a 34-point loss to the Patriots, so taking control early is the ideal recipe in forcing a young Jaguars offense to play from behind.
3. Keep Gore Going
-Frank Gore's day in Tennessee was indicative of why the Colts so highly coveted him this offseason. The Colts offensive line deserves some credit, too, for opening up some gaping holes that Gore slashed through for 6.1 yards per carry against the Titans. Having a similar type of outing versus the Jaguars will be challenging. Jacksonville ranks second in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per carry at 3.3 YPC.
4. Consistent Pass Rush
-With injuries still impacting the cornerback position, a more consistent pass rush would help the back end of the Colts defense. We saw Robert Mathis get his first sack last week as the Colts all-time sack leader played 20 snaps against the Titans. Mathis' play count should continue to grow going forward and that will definitely enhance the pressure the Colts get on opposing quarterbacks.
5. Keep Luck Upright
-Injured or not, this should be a key every week. It is even more vital this week with Luck nursing a right shoulder injury. The Colts play two games in the next five days so any extra hits the Colts franchise quarterback can avoid would go a long way in Indianapolis trying to move their record to 3-2.
6. Seize South Control
-The Colts are in the midst of playing three straight AFC South games. Heading into Week Four, all four AFC South teams sit at 1-2. If the Colts can beat Jacksonville and win in Houston on Thursday, they will be 3-0 against the division and have early control over the division they've captured each of the last two seasons.
7. Short Turnaround
-When the final gun goes off on Sunday afternoon, there will be no time to celebrate (win or loss). The Colts will play their Thursday night game of the year next week in Houston. In the past three years, the Colts have won all three of their Thursday night contests, but they have not been easy road wins. Going 2-0 in the next week would place the Colts at 3-2, with 10 days off before you know who comes to Lucas Oil Stadium in Week Six (the Patriots).
