Matt Hasselbeck played mistake-free football and kept the Colts in contention all game long. (Getty)
FINAL SCORE – OT
Jacksonville Jaguars 3-10-0-0-(0) — 13
Indianapolis Colts 3-7-0-3-(3) — 16
FINAL: Colts Survive Sans-Luck, 16-13
Bortles finished with 298 yards and a TD, but was unable to get the winning score vs. Indianapolis. (Getty)
The didn’t have Luck on the field, but it was sure on the Colts’ side on Sunday.
The Jaguars missed two late field goals, one in overtime, to keep the Colts alive for a 16-13 win in Indianapolis. After Jason Myers second miss of the day, Matt Hasselbeck led the Colts down the field, but it was Frank Gore who put the game away. Gore gained 22 yards on the game’s final drive, in what was a devastating blow for a Jaguars defense that played hard all day.
The loss won’t feel good for Jacksonville, who let the game slip through their fingers. Leading early, penalties, especially on defense, kept the margin close all game. Bortles had his best game of the year, and T.J. Yeldon had his first 100 yard game in the NFL. But 13 flags against Jacksonville is inexcusable, and the Jaguars fall to 1-3 on the season.
Matt Hasselbeck did a good job managing the game in Luck’s absence, finishing with 282 yards and a TD. He didn’t throw an interception, but two fumbles by Colts running backs are a cause for concern. It is unknown if Luck or Hasselbeck will start for the Colts next week.
Frank Gore Carries the Colts to Victory
After such a maddening, frustrating day, Frank Gore rips off a 22-yard run to the Jags’ 7. #Colts on verge of ending this.
After a fumble in the endzone for the second straight week, Frank Gore has redemption. After a 28 yard pass to Fleener got the Colts moving, Gore ripped off his longest run of the day, a 22 yard carry down to the Jaguars seven yard line.
The Colts took two kneeldowns, and Adam Vinatieri put the game away for the Colts. Finally.
Myers Misses Again
THIS GAME WILL NEVER END
With a second chance to win the game, Jason Myers has missed his chance again. First wide right at the end of regulartion, this time Myers has missed wide left. Colts take over with just over eight minutes left in OT.
Field Position Game Gives Jaguars a Chance
Last 3 #colts drives: 9 plays, 18 yards, 3 punts
After stop on defense and a decent return, the Jaguars are within striking distance starting at their 39 yard line. After a missed chance down the sidelines, Bortles hit Robinson for 14 yards to move the chains. After Yeldon’s carry that took him over 100 yards, Bortles called his own number for eight yards and another first down.
The Jaguars were faced with a 3rd and 11, and chose to run up the middle with Yeldon. The safe bet makes for a 48 yard attempt for Myers.
Jaguars Win Coin Toss & Elect to Receive
Can you return free football?
After running out of time on their last drive, the Jaguars will look to get back into their rhythm as they start OT with the football. They need to avoid penalties, but should definitely look to the big play ball, something that was working earlier in the game.
A 36 yard sprint by Yeldon has the Jaguars threatening right away.
Unfortunately, a run by Toby Gerhart on the next play resulted in a loss and set the Jaguars back.
“It’s kind of interesting to put Gerhart in at this point.”
— CBS, speaking for everyone
Two incompletions later, and the Colts are taking over at their own 16 yard line.
Jacksonville Defense Forced a Punt With :45 Remaining
After neither offense could sustain a drive in the fourth quarter, the Jaguars have one last drive to get in field goal range. Jacksonville’s kicker, Jason Myers, is a former Arena League kicker and has crazy range. The Jaguars need to get to at least the Colts’ 40 yard line for a chance at the win.
On the Jags first play, Bortles completed a pass to Mercedes Lewis for seven yards and took a timeout.
On the next play, Bortles looked deep for Robinson but couldn’t connect.
Facing third and long, Bortles felt the pressure and scrambled, picking up 14 yards and spiking the ball. Inching closer to Colts territory, Bortles hit Lewis again for 12 yards but Jacksonville burned their final timeout. After a short pass to Yeldon, Jason Myers had a chance to win it from 53 yards out. After a freeze attempt cancelled out his first miss, Myers narrowly missed the kick and the game will continue into overtime.
Colts Drive Again, But Fumble in Endzone
Jaguars defense with a huge turnover. Evans knocks ball loose from Gore, Abry Jones recovers fumble in the end zone.
Jacksonville caught a huge break here, as a Frank Gore fumble has kept the game tied at 13. It took the Colts five plays to drive to Jacksonville’s 10 yard line, but Frank Gore fumbled down at the goal line for the second time this season. The ball bounced into the endzone, where the Jaguars hopped onto it for the touchback. We’re still tied with 10 minutes to go.
Another Flag Hurts Jaguars Offense
FIRST DOWN CATCH BY WALTERS NEGATED BY ILLEGAL FORMATION! GO JAGUARS! t.co/a0nz66flRS
Driving in the fourth quarter of a tie game, the Jaguars are in unfamiliar territory. On their first drive of the fourth quarter, their inexperience showed. Bortles appeared to have a completion on third down that moved the chains, but an illegal formation penalty negated the play. The Jaguars were unable to convert, and were forced to punt back to the Colts.
Paul Posluszny Hurt, Jaguars D Bends
Poz probably done for day. Standing next to coaches on sideline without a helmet. #Jaguars
The Jaguars defense has spent a ton of time on the field in the second half, and they’ll do so without their best player for the rest of this one. Poz has an ankle injury, and it’s unlikely he returns today. That doesn’t bode well for the Jags, who have surrendered multiple long drives already this half.
To start the fourth quarter, the Colts were unable to finish a 12 play drive to take the lead. They settled for a short field goal, and the game is tied with 12 minutes remaining.
Penalties Kill Momentum for Jaguars
Penalties killed the Jaguars on defense in the first half, and it cost them on offense to start the second. A solid drive for Bortles was killed by a holding penalty, raising the foul total to eight today. Jacksonville punts, but are still ahead 13-10.
On the Colts next possession, Hasselbeck hit Moncrief for 21 yards and the Colts moved into Jacksonville territory. The Colts advanced all the way to the 29 before a sack took them out of field goal range.
HALFTIME: Luck-less Colts Trail at Break
Matt Hasselbeck has completed passes to five different receivers in the first half. (Getty)
The last time the Colts started a game without Andrew Luck, they were capping off a 1-15 season. They’ve played like a one-win team thus far today.
Penalties have hurt the Jaguars, who lead 13-10 but should feel like it could be more. Jags kicker Jason Myers has two field goals inside of 32 yards as Jacksonville was unable to finish a pair of drives.
The Colts aren’t seeing their franchise QB, but the Jaguars are getting exactly what they want from theirs. Bortles had one of his best halves of NFL football, going 14/18 for 179 yards and a TD. He had a stretch in the first half where he completed nine straight passes, and has been accurate from all ranges.
There is no doubt this is Jacksonville’s game to lose. Another solid half from Bortles without turning the ball over, and the Jaguars will be leading the division by day’s end.
Hasselbeck Puts Colts Ahead
That play was wild. Late, across the body in traffic throw.
Like the veteran he is, Hasselbeck navigated the defense on a 13 play, 80 yard drive for the Colts. After a pass interference penalty gave them a new set of downs in the red zone, Hasselbeck made a nice play on the TD pass to Fleener.
It’s clear the Jaguars will force Hasselbeck to win this game. So far, Colts running backs have 12 rushes for 8 yards. Gore’s first carry was for 5 yards, meaning they have 3 on their last 11.
Fumble Leads to Hurns TD
Without Luck, the Colts are expected to work the ground game today. The Jaguars are ready for it. The Colts handed off to backup runner Josh Robinson and midfield, but he was hit by Dan Skuta of the Jags in the backfield and the ball came out. Jacksonville picked up the ball, and was on the movie in enemy territory.
On the fourth play of the drive, Bortles rolled right before firing a pass to Hurns for the game’s first TD.
Bortles Dials Up Allen Robinson
.@Thee_AR15 making plays early. #MOREJAX http://t.co/aCchLcCBfB
Darius Butler beaten deep again. #Colts nickel corner reminds why he’s just a nickel corner. Gain of 48.
When Jacksonville beat Miami two weeks ago, one of the biggest praises for the Jaguars was their aggressive playcalling. They’ve stuck with it so far today, as the Jaguars are gaining yards in bunches.
Bortles started the drive by hitting Hurns for 26 yards. On the next play, he hit Robinson running a straight fly down the sidelines for 48 yards.
The Jaguars had first and goal, but were forced to settle for the tying field goal.
You’ve gotta think Julius Thomas would be a huge factor when the Jags get inside the 10-yard line like that. #Jaguars
Hasselbeck Moved the Colts Early
This five-wide spread look for Hasselbeck is wild. No blocking help. Surveying the field. Would never have thought it was a good idea.
The Colts aren’t going to change their gameplan because Luck is on the sidelines. They came out aggressive, and Hasselbeck picked up three first downs with his arm early.
Hasselbeck spread the ball around well in the early quarter, and put the Colts in field goal range. Vinatieri put home a kick from 54 yards out, and the Colts are up early.
Game Preview
Allen Robinson has developed into the Jaguars’ top receiver. (Getty)
Opportunity knocks for Jacksonville when they head to Lucas Oil Stadium Week 4 to face the Colts. With every team in the AFC South locked at 1-2, a win against division powerhouse Indianapolis could go a long way in the standings. They haven’t beaten the Colts since 2012, when they beat Indy in Andrew Luck’s third NFL game. Luck has now beaten the Jaguars in five straight games.
Luck could be on the Jaguar’s side this Sunday.
If the Colts QB is unable to play due to a shoulder injury, it will be a huge break for the Jaguars defense. Indianapolis has had problems with their offensive line, which won’t make things too comfortable for 40-year-old backup QB Matt Hasselbeck. Expect to see good things from the Jacksonville offense, and maybe even a career day for T.J. Yeldon.
For the Colts, the injury to Luck comes at a critical time in the Colts season. Sitting at the aforementioned crossroads in the standings, the Colts have a chance to surge in the standings over the next five days. After Sunday’s game with Jacksonville, the Colts must turnaround and prepare for a Thursday night showdown against the Houston Texans.