Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Game Preview

Here we go again, Indianapolis has clinched home field advantage, they have won their division and for the seventh straight year they have won twelve or more games, so what more is there? This is the time when Indy has always chosen to rest those players that need to get healthy. Now that doesn’t make for an exciting finish to the season for Colts fans but it does get them ready for the task at hand, trying to win a Super Bowl. Is this year any different? Indianapolis is now undefeated and on the verge of a perfect season, but what is the big picture, the big picture is division, home field, and getting players healthy and two-thirds of that equation is done. I would love to see the Colts come out and play their regulars, I would love to see Manning be the general and run the table and Clark and Wayne finish their regular seasons on a high note. But will it happen, guess we will see beginning on Thursday night.

Key Match-ups:

Indianapolis Defensive Line vs. Jacksonville Run Game

The Indianapolis Colts know Jacksonville very well they are in the same division, the Colts know Maurice Jones- Drew real well when he gashed them for a big game a couple of years ago. With the Jags struggles as of late with a 7-6 record they have relied heavily on Jones-Drew this season and he has produced. Jones-Drew has carried the ball 251 times for 1,136 yards and 14 touchdowns he is among the league leaders in the National Football League. He will be a tough back to stop but the Indianapolis defense could be well up to the task. The Colts defense is ranked 17th in the league in rushing allowing around 110 yards a game and only allowing on average 16 points per game but more than that Indy remembers what happened in the game where Jones- Drew ran wild against them. The battle will be on that front line can Freeney and Mathis (if they play) get into that backfield to disrupt the timing of that Jags offense. If Jacksonville can establish the run that will setup the passing game and will make it very difficult for the Indy defense. If the Colts can shut down the run and jump out to a big lead, Jacksonville will have to pass and the Colts secondary are a bunch of ball hawks and they will find a way to make the big play.

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Keys to the Game:

Jacksonville: Jones-Drew, Jones-Drew and more Jones-Drew

Indianapolis: For the defense stop the run, watch the pass

There is an old saying ‘he did it before and he can do it again’ at least that is what Jacksonville hopes for with Jones-Drew on the ground. MJD is an all-world running back that can do it all and if he gets loose he can make you pay. The Jags must do a good job at involving MJD not only in running the ball but also in the passing game that could be the key to keeping that athletic Indy defense off balance. For the Colts they must cut off Jones-Drew and make David Garrard beat them. Indianapolis must fly to the ball and stop the run of the Jags and use that speed to create turnovers and big plays.

I look for Indianapolis to get going early on offense to make a statement, as always this is a division game so the intensity is a little bit greater. For Jacksonville to win they must be clicking on all cylinders and the run and the pass must be solid. Indianapolis could have starters playing the whole game or because it is all wrapped up for them let the second and third stringers get some action. This should be an awesome game, filled with all the big hits and big plays that we have come to expect. For me I always enjoy watching Indianapolis they are exciting and they always find a way to win, for myself and all Colts fans I hope the pursuit for perfection continues.

By Sam Adams
Pro Football Fans Indianapolis Colts Correspondent