A different Jags offense surfaced in Indianapolis, at least in the early going, and in it were a lot of the concepts that excited long-suffering fans since the preseason. Use of tight ends on high percentage routes, a crisp command of play action, and going deep when it was there. That was the Blake Bortles people expected to see earlier than a quarter way through the season. And on Sunday, they saw it. at least early on in the game.
It wasn’t just that. The defense, which had difficulty solving Andrew Luck in previous years, had an easier time with Colts QB Matt Hasselbeck, who obligingly played game manager, as if waiting for Jacksonville to beat itself. Frank Gore (on my fantasy team) for the most part ran like Tipper Gore. Perhaps the PMRC could have put a sticker on their running game.
The tipped balls went the Jags’ way. And the Colts couldn’t figure out how to jump those routes that most teams figure out against Bortles in the second half.
Though we saw the usual diminishing returns in the Jags’ offensive gameplan, Bortles had the last possession of regulation, close to midfield, and this could have been a career defining moment. He hit Lewis just outside the Colts 40. Timeout with 10 seconds to go. Another few more yards to Yeldon.
6 seconds. Jags’ kicker Jason Myers. 53 yards. Wide on the first try, but a Colts timeout voided it.
Wide on the second try. 59:59 elapsed; a 13-13 tie.
Just as the teams traded punts for most of the game, they started off overtime under the same pattern. Then, with just under 12 minutes in the period, Bortles throws a loop to double-covered Allen Robinson, getting the ball into Colts territory. Then, Yeldon takes it inside the 40. Then, a Bortles naked bootleg to the 32.
The murmurs of the Indianapolis crowd suggested the most delightful sound: a season on the brink.
The Jaguars drive stalled out at the 30. Which set up a Jason Myers try.
Wide to the left.
Hasselbeck hit peripatetic tight end Coby Fleener in Jags territory, and the pall lifted from the stadium. Despite the backup quarterback. Despite the breaks going the visitors’ way. After a 23 yard gain from Gore put the Colts at first and goal, it was clear.
This was the one that got away from Bortles. From Bradley. From the Jaguars. From the city of Jacksonville.
This was a chance to knock the Colts back and to be able to take a 2-2 mark out of the first quarter of the season.
And they blew it.
They could have taken 2-2 into two very winnable games with Tampa and Houston. A leg up to potentially win an AFC South that is in serious decline.
Instead, 1-3, and another Monday of AM radio grousing. Callers from the Westside and the Northside to Ponte Vedra and Fernandina, making the same comments.
That it wasn’t enough, again.
That the Jaguars had and blew their chances.
That Jacksonville itself deserves better.
A more reliable kicker might have been enough to have turned what some apologists will spin as a moral victory into what is the only kind of victory that matters in year 3 of the Gus Bradley 3 Year Plan.
A victory on the field.
