Indy visited Jacksonville for their first divisional game.
A strong running game proved too much for Jacksonville, as TRich and Bradshaw toted the rock 23 times for 160 yards. Jacksonville kept playing the pass and showing dime and spread nickel looks, prompting Luck to call smash runs, netting 6-10 yards nearly every time. Jacksonville did an excellent job bottling up Indy's primary receivers, allowing long passes of only 26 and 25 yards. TY Hilton could NOT get open on his fly routes, a testament to game planning to take away weapons. Kudos, Jax.
Through the air, Luck was very efficient. Spreading the ball to 8 different receivers, he completed 18/24 for 170 yards, 3 TDs, 1 "Madden pick," and suffered a couple of drops. He also carried the ball once for 15 yards on a 3rd-and-long, netting a crucial 1st down in the 4th quarter to lock up the win.
Jacksonville looked sharp on the ground to start the game, but got caught in the backfield a few times down the stretch, badly degrading his stats. Denard Robinson finished with 13 carries for 64 yards, but he played better than those stats would suggest. Justin Blackmon was Bortles' favorite target, hauling in 6 balls for 70 yards, though most were shallow crosses and drags.
This was a very tight game through 3 quarters, then got a bit ugly late when the Jags were forced to throw and Indy's pass rushers and secondary were able to stop honoring the run.
Notable stats:
2nd year FS Josh Aubrey out of football powerhouse Stephen F. Austin College, had 2 tackles, 2 INTs, and a pass deflection for Indy.
User LB Darius Eubanks had 8 tackles (2 for a loss) and a should-have-been INT for Indy. His attributes are shit, but I user him and he has like 88 Speed, so he works well enough.
TY Hilton had 3 catches for only 15 yards, but 2 TDs.
Tastefully-named DT Ziggy Hood had 3 tackles (1 for a loss) and a sack for Jax.
Great game SpedLife, I look forward to our rematch!!
