JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars roller coaster continued, and this week, that meant a win. Jacksonville dominated the Colts 27-0 in Indianapolis, turning in the first shutout for the team since 2006. Here's how the team answered my four biggest questions going into the game:
1. Can they get a lead?
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They did, and they just kept piling on. The Jaguars took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter and led 20-0 by halftime. They were able to tee off on the Colts with 10 sacks, the second time this year that the Jaguars have turned in 10 sacks. They were able to run the ball. T.J. Yeldon enjoyed a career game with 122 yards, including a 58-yard touchdown run. Even without Leonard Fournette and Brandon Liner and with Cam Robinson leaving the game on the Jaguars first drive with an ankle injury, the Jaguars offense just did what they wanted to against the Colts in the first half. After that, it was just about not letting Indianapolis back in the game.
2. Will the defense score?
They did not. It didn't matter. Against a Colts defense that came into the week ranked last in the NFL, the Jaguars offense dominated. Even Blake Bortles enjoyed a career day with over 300 yards passing.
3. Will the Jaguars win the turnover battle?
How bad was Indianapolis on Sunday? They won the turnover battle with the Jaguars, but only once drove as deep as the Jags 30 yard line. Without Andrew Luck, the Colts are a bad offense. With him, they might be decent. The Colts looked like the worst team in the division on Sunday. Some of that was their own doing, but a lot of it was what the Jaguars did to them.
4. Can the special teams eliminate mistakes?
Punter Brad Nortman was terrific, averaging 53.5 yards per punt, including a 61-yarder. New kicker Josh Lambo made both field goals and all three extra points and the Colts longest kickoff return was 36 yards. It was an enormous bounce-back after last week's disastrous special teams performance.