Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Final Score: Jaguars 36, Colts 19
Senior Writer: Benjamin Haller (@benjaminhaller1.bsky.social on Bluesky)
After an exciting first quarter in this huge contest atop the AFC South, the Indianapolis Colts suffered their worst few minutes of the 2025 season to hand the advantage to the upstart Jacksonville Jaguars under new coach Liam Coen. Trailing 14-7 after an action-packed first quarter, the Colts saw quarterback Daniel Jones leave the game with a suspected season-ending injury before lead back Jonathan Taylor coughed the ball up in his own territory that Travis Etienne Jr. punished with an immediate 28-yard touchdown run. The Colts then turned the ball over on downs after Taylor was stopped short on fourth down after rookie Jacksonville running back Bhayshul Tuten fumbled the ball away at midfield. It was a chance for the Colts to swing the momentum back in their favor but it wasn’t to be as Trevor Lawrence responded with excellent throws downfield and smart-designed runs in the red zone to march the Jags deep into Colts territory. Lawrence made a brilliant throw on the run to his left to find Tim Patrick for a touchdown with only 7 seconds left in the half to give his team an unassailable 28-10 lead at the end of an action-packed first half.
Rookie Colts stand-in Riley Leonard struggled to move the ball in the second half and the Jaguars played conservatively to add a couple of field goals. Josh Hines-Allen dropped Leonard for a safety before the rookie ran in for a late consolation score to make things look a little more respectable. However, this was all Jacksonville once Jones left the game and Lawrence did just enough again to give his team a direct route to the playoffs.
Three Up
- Travis Etienne Jr. — A perfect day on the ground for the unheralded back, who hasn’t been seen as a valuable fantasy asset this year in drafts but repaid those managers who showed faith him in with two scores and 74 yards on the ground when it mattered the most.
- Brian Thomas Jr. — Welcome back to fantasy relevance, BTJ, who showed quality over quantity with two outstanding over-the-shoulder grabs to make the big plays this team needed.
- Tim Patrick — A great time to produce a season high in fantasy points, Patrick was always available for his quarterback and his touchdown was the icing on the cake — he stepped up in the absence of Parker Washington.
Three Down
- Daniel Jones — A brutal noncontact Achilles injury looks to have ended the resurgent quarterback’s first season in Indianapolis, a tragic and unfortunate injury at the worst time for both the Colts’ season expectations and fantasy managers.
- Josh Downs — The dynamic wideout caught only 25% of his 12 targets and showed little chemistry with Leonard.
- Brenton Strange — It was a tale of what might have been for the Jags tight end, who was caught short of the end zone with an early red-zone target and then dropped another could-be touchdown in the third quarter.
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback
Daniel Jones: 5/7, 60 Yards, INT | 1 Carry, 4 Yards
Daniel Jones was picked off on the first offensive play from scrimmage as his dump-off over the middle went straight into the hands of spying linebacker Devin Lloyd. Jones simply didn’t see the veteran taking up a spot over the middle when he lobbed the ball in the direction of Michael Pittman Jr., a decision that cost his team seven points as the Jags cashed in with a touchdown a few plays later. He then orchestrated a superb 11-play, 76-yard drive that resulted in Jonathan Taylor punching the ball in at the goal line to bring Indianapolis level before exiting the game on the next drive when he planted his leg to throw and immediately felt something buckle in his already injured lower left leg. Jones had been playing through a fracture in his knee and his uncomfortable hobble off the field and into the locker room was the last we saw of the quarterback. The more surprising announcement was that he was ruled out for the rest of the game with an Achilles injury. Brutal.
Riley Leonard: 18/29, 145 Yards, INT, Sack | 2 Carries, 5 Yards, TD
The former Duke and Notre Dame quarterback looked competent on his first drive as he manufactured extra yardage with two nice throws on a 16-play drive that finished with a field goal. Leonard made a nice ad-lib play to flip the ball to Pierce for a 29-yard gain before finding Josh Downs on a perfect sideline throw to move the chains on third down. However, two incomplete throws inside the 9-yard line under heavy pressure took away the chance at a touchdown. After the break things got harder as the Jags’ defense brought pressure and Leonard failed to make throws over the middle to move the chains. He gave up a safety and also was credited with an interception despite Pittman being at fault for allowing the ball to be pulled from him, a play that effectively ended any hope of a Colts comeback. A late consolation score with his legs was a nice moment for the youngster who didn’t let his team down with a determined effort. However, he couldn’t make the big plays needed downfield.
Running Back
Jonathan Taylor: 21 Carries, 74 Yards, TD, Fumble (Lost)
After disappointing fantasy managers pushing for the playoffs with two straight weeks of subpar fantasy performances, Taylor made an immediate impact in the first quarter with a determined run at the goal line to punch the ball in for his 17th score of the season. It was his first on the ground in three games and a welcome sight for those in crucial matchups. Taylor had previously broke off an angry run inside the red zone to get the Colts in touching distance of the end zone. With Jones exiting the game early in the second quarter the Colts looked to their running talisman to take up the charge, however, Taylor fumbled the ball away at his own 29-yard line when reaching out for extra yardage as he was under heavy contact. The Jags scored on the very next play to go up 21-7. Disaster. With the Colts unable to sustain drives in the second half and chances to run a premium playing from behind Taylor failed to help bring the Colts back into the game. He only saw six touches in the second half and zero in the fourth quarter. It was the first time this season he didn’t catch a pass out of the backfield either.
Ameer Abdullah: 1 Carry, 4 Yards | 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 5 Yards
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Alec Pierce: 8 Targets, 5 Receptions, 80 Yards
The former second-round pick out of Cincinnati has enjoyed a productive fantasy season with Jones and he hauled in passes for 9 and 17 yards on the Colts’ first touchdown drive. Working on intermediate routes over the middle, Alec Pierce showed his ability in contested catch situations with safe hands and accomplished finishing. He still managed to be productive with Leonard on the field and was unlucky to have a touchdown late in the fourth quarter overturned on review as he couldn’t quite complete the catch as the ball came loose in a contested situation from 18 yards out. After the play, he was sent to the blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion, something fantasy managers will want to monitor through the week.
Michael Pittman Jr.: 12 Targets, 9 Receptions, 79 Yards
Michael Pittman Jr. was the target for Jones’ ill-advised short pass over the middle that was intercepted on the Colts’ first offensive play from scrimmage. However, the elite wideout kick-started the Colts’ first touchdown drive on the next series with a brilliant 16-yard catch and run over the middle. He continues to be effective whenever the Colts went to him and he also had a touchdown negated by penalty in the third quarter as he was deemed to have pushed off for offensive pass interference. His only blight was allowing the ball to be snatched from him in the air by Greg Newsome that was ruled an interception in the second half.
Josh Downs: 5 Targets, 4 Receptions, 23 Yards
A rough night for Josh Downs, who just couldn’t find any chemistry with Leonard after the rookie entered the game. He did catch a late fourth-quarter pass but otherwise he was an afterthought.
Tyler Warren: 6 Targets, 2 Receptions, 15 Yards | 1 Carry, 2 Yards
The rookie tight end was given the first chance of carrying the ball in at the goal line on a third-down handoff up the middle that fell just short of the end zone. It was enough for a first down and to setup Taylor’s first score. Warren had previously hauled in a catch over the middle for 13 yards earlier in the drive, signaling his integral role in this offense. That all went out of the window when Jones left the game and he could only connect with young Leonard once through the rest of the game. A disappointing outcome for the playmaker.
Anthony Gould: 1 Target, 1 Reception, 3 Yards
Mo Alie-Cox: 2 Targets
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback
Trevor Lawrence: 17/30, 244 Yards, 2 TD | 4 Carries, 16 Yards
A clean, professional game from Trevor Lawrence, who enjoyed the benefit of the Colts’ defense being a shadow of what it was earlier in the season with key absences, including that of DeForest Buckner. Lawrence used that freedom in the pocket and protection to make throws he usually struggles with under pressure. He had success deep as well connecting with Brian Thomas Jr. and Tim Patrick for big gains. He was also smart in the red zone and his deft pass to Jakobi Meyers for the opening score was a good example of his ability as a passer when he has time. With the game locked up by the half, coach Liam Coen didn’t allow him the same freedoms as he only attempted 10 passes in the second half.
Notes
- Lawrence made two excellent throws deep and over the middle in the first quarter that made him look like a high-level NFL quarterback before two dreadful throws on consecutive drives on third down that made him look like a confused rookie. It’s been that type of season (and career) for the former Clemson quarterback.
- With his team needing a play in the second half to seal the win, Lawrence rolled out to his left before firing a dart to Patrick in stride that moved the chains and led to a score that won the game undoubtedly. This was this kind of play we need more of if we are to believe in him as a long term option.
Nick Mullins: 1/1, 3 Yards | 3 Carries, -1 Yards
Running Back
Travis Etienne Jr.: 20 Carries, 74 Yards, 2 TD | 1 Target, 1 Reception, 8 Yards
A workhorse night for the former fantasy star who has faded from the top fantasy backs conversation over the past year. Indeed, this performance was a surprise and only the second time this season he has been given 20 carries. Travis Etienne Jr. did most of his damage on two plays in the first half, both off of turnovers and both resulting in scores — the second was a lovely, patient 28-yard outside zone run in which he waited for blocking before darting into the gap and streaking away to hit paydirt. With running mate Bhayshul Tuten coughing the ball up late in the second quarter, Etienne was entrusted with the rock in the second half. It was only his second multi-touchdown of the game but his second in the last four games. He has a great matchup against the Jets next week for the first week of the fantasy playoffs.
Bhayshul Tuten: 2 Carries, 5 Yards, Fumble (Lost)
Wide Receiver/Tight End
Brian Thomas Jr.: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 87 Yards
It’s been a while since we saw this version of the exciting wideout, who has battled injuries all through the 2025 season. Brian Thomas Jr. missed a month of the season but returned last week and only managed two grabs. He achieved that feat in the first quarter with two magnificent catches, the second a one-handed grab over the shoulder for 39 yards that resulted in a Jags score a few plays later to take the lead. He popped up when needed once again in the second half with a 30 yard grab that was sent upstairs for review but replays gave him the benefit of the doubt in completing the catch. An encouraging performance that could act as a stepping stone for him to be a fantasy standout in the coming weeks.
Tim Patrick: 6 Targets, 5 Receptions, 78 Yards, TD
Catching only four passes across the first 10 games of the season, Tim Patrick was off the fantasy radar. However, he flashed his playmaking ability a couple of weeks ago against the Chargers and with the absence of Parker Washington saw more opportunities in this game. His route running stood out and he made himself a target deep downfield on multiple broken plays. His touchdown at the end of the first half was crucial but it was his beautiful grab 37 yards downfield late in the game from a scrambling Lawrence that really stood out.
Jakobi Meyers: 10 Targets, 4 Receptions, 39 Yards, TD | 3 Carries, 9 Yards
The recently acquired Jakobi Meyers looks at home in this offense and took the first pass of the day from Lawrence downfield for an 11 yard gain. He then ran a perfect wheel route down the right sideline in the red zone that Lawrence rewarded with a pinpoint throw for a 14-yard score at the end of the first quarter to put his team up 14-7. He was hindered by some poor throws in the second half from his quarterback that showed there is still much for the two to work on, however, his use on end-arounds and the volume of targets all point towards an upward trend that continues to benefit fantasy managers who are using him in the flex spot.
Brenton Strange: 6 Targets, 3 Receptions, 27 Yards
LeQuint Allen Jr.: 2 Targets, 2 Receptions, 8 Yards