Jaguars vs Colts Preview: 3 Things

10/1/2016

The Jaguars are set to take on the Colts in London this morning. Here's our 3 things to watch for.
By Jordan de Lugo - @jordandelugo

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1. Can Blake Bortles reverse the trend?

Blake Bortles is in the middle of one of the worst slumps of his career and is coming off his worst two game stretch since his rookie year. Bortles does have 5 TD passes on the season, but he also has 6 INTs - That puts him on pace to throw 32 interceptions in 2016. Yikes! His timing is off; his footwork is off; his throwing mechanics are off; his decision making is off - it seems that just about every aspect of Bortles game is just a bit off right now. He actually had a pretty good game against the Packers in week one, but after the 38-14 debacle in San Diego, Bortles was clearly pressing in week 3, which led to 3 interceptions (it could have easily been 4 or 5), 2 of which came in the final quarter as the Jaguars were in position to ice the game against the undefeated Ravens. Now Bortles returns to London where he provided some late game heroics last year in the Jaguars 34-31 victory over the Bills. Bortles needs to regain his form or the noise building about a possible regression for the third year signal caller will only get louder in the coming weeks.

2. Can the Jaguars DBs slow down T.Y. Hilton?

In the last four contests between the Jaguars and the Colts T.Y. Hilton has averaged exactly 100 receiving yards per game. He has been a thorn in Gus Bradley and the Jaguars side for years. A speedy receiver that is hitting his stride this year following an 8 catch, 174 yard performance against the same Chargers defense that shut the Jaguars down in week 2. On top of his big numbers in that one he also was able to get the go ahead TD on a 63 yard catch and run with less than 2 minutes remaining in the game. He did to the Chargers CB Jason Verrett what Allen Robinson could not do just the week before. The bottom line is T.Y. Hilton is a game breaking receiver and the Jaguars will have their hands full later this morning. But this is a new look Jaguars secondary. Jalen Ramsey, Davon House, and Prince Amukamara will be tasked with slowing down the Pro Bowl wide receiver. They could be up for the task as they seem to be finding their wings. Last week against Joe Flacco and the Ravens the Jaguars allowed less than 200 yards through the air - a positive sign for a defense that is still learning how to play with each other. If Ramsey and Co. can slow down Hilton in this one it will go a long way towards a Jaguars victory.

3. Can the Jaguars establish the run game?

Perhaps the most disconcerting thing on a long list of problems for the Jaguars offense is the lack of a run game. Injuries to Chris Ivory, Kelvin Beachum, and Brandon Linder early in the season certainly haven't helped the Jaguars in 2016, but they're all healthy now and should be able to find their footing against the Colts who have given up 4 rushing TDs and an average of 95 yards a game on the ground so far. Without the running game defenses can key on Bortles and the Jaguars long list of receiving weapons. The offensive lineman must get more push and the backs must take advantage. If the ground game can't be established in this one, then the Jaguars will be staring 0-4 right in the face.

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