JACKSONVILLE – This time, the Jaguars get no break.
As Head Coach Urban Meyer sees it, that's a positive because it means the Jaguars have an opportunity on Sunday to do something they haven't done in a while:
Maintain momentum after a victory.
"I'm glad we're playing," Meyer said Wednesday as the Jaguars (2-6) prepared to play the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., Sunday at 1 p.m. "I'm glad we're going instead of sitting. There's a lot of momentum. Guys feel good."
“There’s a really good vibe in that building right now, so let’s go out and practice and keep going.” - Head Coach Urban Meyer
The Jaguars beat the Buffalo Bills Sunday, 9-6, in one of the biggest upsets in franchise history. It was their second victory in three games, with the Jaguars having beaten the Miami Dolphins, 23-20, on October 17 in London, England. The Jaguars had a bye following that game, following that with a 31-7 loss to the Seattle Seahawks.
"I don't know the maturity, especially of our young players, to handle a bye week," Meyer said. "Us as a new staff, with new players in a lot of positions … we could have done things better."
Meyer said center Brandon Linder, on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, is nearing a return; Linder worked on the side Wednesday.
"We're hoping to get him back next week," Meyer said.
Tight end James O'Shaughnessy, also on injured reserve with a high-ankle sprain, also worked on the side Wednesday. Meyer said running back James Robinson (ankle) and linebacker Myles Jack were expected to practice limited Wednesday.
NOTABLE I
The Jaguars held the AFC East-leading Buffalo Bills to two field goals in a 9-6 victory Sunday, but Meyer said Wednesday defending the Colts is a different task. "They're on fire," Meyer said of the Colts, who have scored 137 points in the last four games. "The last four or five games, they have been hard to defend. They're doing a lot of good things right now.' While the Bills entered Sunday No. 1 in the NFL in scoring, they were a decidedly pass-oriented offense with running backs running nine times 22 yards. The Colts are more balanced, with running back Jonathan Taylor a key to the offense along with quarterback Carson Wentz (17 touchdown passes, three interceptions). The Jaguars defended Buffalo largely with zone coverage, which is more difficult to play considering Taylor's presence. "Last week's was a spread offense," Meyer said. "This is a little different." The Jaguars are allowing 103.4 yards per game rushing, which ranks 12th in the NFL this season.
ETC., ETC.
Meyer discussed the Jaguars' 29.79 percent third-down conversion rate, which ranks last in the NFL. Meyer said while the issue is more than one area, he cited execution of quarterback and receivers as contributing to the issue. "It's a combination of dropped balls and just misses," he said. "That's a weakness right now. "We have to fix it." … Meyer said the team feels good about its depth and overall situation at left tackle, where rookie Walker Little played in place of veteran Cam Robinson – who missed the game with a back injury and who is expected to return Sunday. "Trent has done a good job putting depth in the D-Line and the O-Line," Meyer said. "We have some nice depth." … Meyer on tight end Dan Arnold, who has 22 receptions for 248 yards in five games since joining the Jaguars in a trade with Carolina: "He's everything you want." … Meyer on the Jaguars' deep-passing game: "It's nonexistent right now. It's a problem. Big plays are a problem right now. We have to get that fixed. If you don't have big plays, you're not going to win."
