Never thought I'd find myself channeling Ice Cube, but considering what the fan sentiment could have been coming into the game, today was a good day. 

My thoughts:

1.  One of the biggest and most pleasant surprises of the day was how well the defense played.  Taylor had a couple of big runs, but generally he was bottled up, and to be honest, neither of those two big runs should have amounted to anything.  On top of that, the team pressured Carson Wentz all day, to the tune of some six (6) sacks!  To accomplish that against a Colts team with such a strong offensive line...who looked to be a formidable playoff opponent because of their running attack...made me especially happy.  Josh Allen came out of his post Buffalo hibernation and looked dominant.  Smoot and Gotsis also had some impressive games.  The team also forced a couple of turnovers, and showed heart and pride in stoppjng some short yardage runs by a strong Indy rushing team.  This defense still has some problems, but their play today made me proud.  It's sad I can't say that even half of the time, but I'm glad to be able to say it after today.  Why couldn't they have done this against the Jets, Pats, Texans or 9ers?

2.  I thought the offensive game plan and execution were also quite good.  Exploiting the Colts' zone and giving TL early confidence by throwing underneath was smart.  The few times they attacked deep were well timed, and the deepest pass should have been caught.  On that topic, there weren't the plethora of drive killing drops that has so crippled this team (though I would have liked to see Shenault and Treadwell catch those passes), and aside from Taylor's holding penalty, there were no drive killing penalties, either.  That said, I don't think Bevell should be interviewed for the head coach position, but I liked the overall offensive approach today.

3.  Ryquell Armstead was far more impressive running the ball than #33, who went down far too easily on contact.  Especially when you consider the seriousness of the injuries suffered by Robinson and Etienne, I firmly believe no matter who the coach is next year, Armstead should be kept next year.  He unquestionably provides the between the tackles bulk and hard nosed style the team will need to help establish balance, toughness, and identity.  Besides, Robinson may not be ready to start the year.  Keeping Armstead around might mean the difference between having to utilize another draft pick on a RB or not.

4.  Wilson is one of those cogs in the LB corps that need to be replaced next year, I thought he had a very good game today, showing good depth and awareness in getting that INT and getting an early pressure on Wentz.

5.  While certainly I don't hold him in the same esteem as I do past Jaguars' greats like Smith or McCardell-or for that matter A Robinson and Hurns-seeing Marvin Jones involved heavily in the game plan was damn near the football fan equivalent of seeing a long lost friend.  If we get competent decision making from the Jaguars' brass next year, he will be our 4th WR at best.  But he has been a help to TL when the team has been able to get him involved.

6.  I'm looking forward to getting a kicker with a stronger leg to handle kickoffs next year, because the kick coverage was not good.  It did not induce projectile vomiting like the Jets and Texans game, but seeing those long returns today made me queasy.

7.  Rookie Watch-Let me preface this by saying today's rookie watch was the kind of rookie watch I have wanted to write all season long.  We had multiple guys making quality contributions, rather than this effectively being a one player report.



     A.  Trevor Lawrence-had his best game as a professional by far.  Without the slew of penalties putting him in bad down and distance situations, without the WRs dropping passes and botching routes left and right, and getting good protection throughout the game, TL flourished.  He hit something like his first 15 or so passes, threw two TDs and no INTs.  His TD to Marvin Jones where he recovered the high snap, rolled to his right, and hit Jones in the back of the end zone in a finish to the play reminscent of Montana to Clark's "the catch" 40 years ago (egads I'm old as hell) was clearly his most exciting play all year and woke me up from my season long Jaguars induced lethargy.  He could have had a monster game but for two drops-one by Treadwell down the left sideline on a deep pass, and the other by Shenault trying to put the ball over the goal line before securing the catch.  T perform like this against a strong Colts' defense with everything to play for made me even prouder than I was of the defense.  This was closer the Trevor Lawrence we've wanted to see this year.  Just imaging if the coaching, protection, and receivers are upgraded.  That thought makes me smile..even if for a moment.



     B.  Travis Etienne-DNP.  Hoping he'll be fully recovered by training camp.



     C.  Tyson Campbell, after a slow start to the season, Campbell continued his solid play.  The Colts wideouts really didn't do much, and Campbell was a reason why.  He also had good run suipport on an outside run by Taylor.  I think if utilized properly, he will be an asset for this team.



     D.  Walker Little-When he was picked, I said he could be the second ost important player in the 2021 draft behind Trevor Lawrence because if the position he plays and where he was drafted.  It took him a while to get into the lineup.  I imagine rust took much of the season to come off, and early in the season, the OL was not awful, so there was no need to rush him.  He had a last minute start against the Bills and had some good and bad moments.  but the last two weeks, both starts at LT, illustrated why I had so much hope for him when we drafted him.  Now I don't think Judon played too much for the Patriots last week in their blowout win, but Little played well against NE, and followed that up with another good outing today.  He got beat inside by fellow rookie DE Kwity Paye, but aside from that play, there was nothing negative that stood out to me.  Again, to do that against a defense like the Colts was another reason for pride.  I don't know what position he will play-either LT or RT-but I expect him to be a starter next year.



     E.  Andre Cisco-For the second time in three weeks, Cisco almost created a turnover with a near INT against the Jets and a forced fumble today.  While technically he did not make either play, he was at least in position to make them, which is more than I can say for a lot of the Jaguars DBs this year.  As he gains more experience, as he and the rest of the defense play with more leads and in better down and distance situations, with better coaching, he will make some of those plays.



     F.  Jay Tufele-Got playing time and got some pressure on one of the sacks on Wentz.  Without looking at the stats, he may have gotten credit for a half sack.



     G.  Jordan Smith-this is the second game in a row he has been active and got some playing time.  He didn't do anything, but heck him getting on the field at all represents progress.



     H.  Luke Farrell-Got some PT, and drew a PI penalty.  Also blocked well on an outside run to the left.



This is how these rookie watch sections should read every week, at least until this team is a perennial winner and it's hard for rookies to start.


8.  Bottom line-Despite arguably the worst season in Jaguars history, one that caused unprecedented discontent from the Jaguars fans, this game gave us lots of reasons to smile.  TL had his best game so far.  The defense played with a sense of pride and were relentless in getting after Wentz and stuffing the run on most plays.  The team dominated the Colts and knocked out a divisional foe from playoff contention.  To top it off, despite our win, we managed to hold onto the #1 overall pick in next year's draft.  I am actually smiling somewhat after this disaster of a season and the possibility that Baalke may ruin future seasons.  I will enjoy this while I can...and hope for better days in the future.

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