NFL Media and Jaguars Media Analyst Bucky Brooks on Jaguars' Win vs. Colts | Scout's Take

Oct 09, 2024 at 10:54 AM

Bucky Brooks

Jaguars Analyst

JACKSONVILLE – In a weekly feature for the 2024 season, NFL Media and Jaguars Media analyst Bucky Brooks breaks down the Jaguars' performance in a 37-34 Week 5 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium

BIG IMPRESSION

The Jaguars finally got into the win column due to an effective execution of a complementary game plan. The game-changing plays created by the offense, defense and special teams sparked the effort, with the Jaguars' new and old stars playing a key role in the impressive win. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wide receiver Christian Kirk, defensive end Travon Walker and defensive end Josh Hines-Allen are expected to produce splash plays weekly, but wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., running back Tank Bigsby, wide receiver/returner Devin Duvernay and kicker Cam Little deserve high marks for delivering momentum-changing plays in crucial moments. The contributions from the team's "blue-chip" players are a positive development for a team that needed its stars to step up.

KEYS TO VICTORY

The Jaguars' stars showed up and showed out against the Colts. The team got key contributions from its best players, leading to its best performance in the 2024 season. From Lawrence's 371-yard game to Walker's 3.0-sack hat trick to Bigsby and Thomas, Jr. posting the first 100-yard games of their careers to Duvernay's momentum-changing punt return, the Jaguars' stars played like stars with the season hanging in the balance. Though a frantic fourth-quarter collapse nearly ruined an impressive effort from the offense, defense and specials teams, the Jaguars made enough plays down the stretch to hold off the Colts' late-game surge. With Lawrence closing the show with a couple of big-time throws to set up Little's game-winning field goal, the Jaguars were able to claim their first win of the season.

TREVOR'S TIME

The former No.1 overall pick reminded the football world why he was regarded as a "generational talent" with his spectacular play against the Colts. Lawrence connected on 28 of 34 passes for 371 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The efficient performance showcased the fourth-year pro's potential when he is on his game. From his pinpoint accuracy on short and intermediate throws to his perfectly timed rainbow tosses down the field to Thomas and Kirk, the Jaguars' QB1 attacked the field at every level, displaying arm strength, range and accuracy coaches expect from quarterback with top-five potential.

UNSUNG HERO

Bigsby is carving out a prominent offensive role as the Jaguars' co-RB1. The second-year pro posted the first 100-yard game of his career, exhibiting the strength, power and explosiveness to do the dirty work between tackles. As Head Coach Doug Pederson and offensive coordinator Press Taylor get comfortable utilizing Bigsby as the primary ball carrier, the young runner has started delivering the big plays the offense desperately needs.

OFFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Jaguars finally looked like the offensive juggernaut experts expect. Lawrence led the way with an efficient performance that kept the offense on schedule and in manageable situations. He displayed the discipline and patience needed to attack a defense determined to take away the deep ball with umbrella coverage. While he eventually tossed a few passes over the top of the Colts' soft zone, the young quarterback relied on his playmakers to pick up yardage on "catch-and-run" concepts throughout the day. With the ground game humming behind Bigsby's breakout performance, the Jaguars were able to utilize a balanced approach to overwhelm the Colts in Week 5.

DEFENSIVELY SPEAKING

The Jaguars played well for three-plus quarters utilizing a "bend but don't break" approach with a heavy emphasis on a four-man rush and maximum coverage. Defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen wanted to eliminate the "explosives" (big plays of 20 yards or more) and force the Colts to drive the length of the field on 10-plus plays. Though the Jaguars were willing to concede yardage between the 20s, the goal was to force the Colts to settle for field goals in the red zone. The plan worked through three quarters, with the Colts entering the final quarter with just ten points. However, the defense fell apart in the fourth quarter with a series of blown coverage and miscommunications leading to big plays on the perimeter. The lack of situational awareness and poor late-game execution is a problem that needs to be addressed if the Jaguars are going to creep back into the AFC playoff picture.