Jaguars at Colts
RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Ind.
Monday, Sept. 25, 2000
AT A GLANCE: The Colts and Jaguars, both considered Super Bowl threats
to come out of the AFC, have each suffered one loss so far. Indianapolis will be looking
to hand the Jaguars their first-ever loss in a Monday-night game.
|
| OVERVIEW: The Colts (1-1) and Jaguars (2-1) are widely
considered two of the strongest teams in the AFC — if not the NFL. This week these
two teams will do battle on a national stage, appearing on Monday Night Football. This
will be the Colts’ first Monday-night affair since Week Eight of the 1997 season, a
game they lost 9-6 to the Bills. In the 31-year history of Monday Night Football, the
Colts have made 18 appearances, posting a 10-8 record. The Jaguars, on the other hand, are
a perfect 5-0 on Monday nights.
Jacksonville will be looking to get back on track offensively after struggling to amass
just 241 total yards last week vs. the lowly Bengals. QB Mark Brunell has looked very
sharp thus far, and it’s a good thing, because the Jaguars have not been successful
running the ball in their first three games. They have just 249 yards on the ground so
far. Last season the Jaguars rushed for 448 yards in their first three games.
The Jaguars’ defense is coming off a fine performance vs. Cincinnati. Last week
the Jaguars recorded their first shutout in franchise history. With the weapons the Colts
boast on offense, the chances of pitching a second straight shutout are slim to none. The
Colts have not been shut out since 1993.
The Colts, who are coming off a bye, are still steaming over blowing a Week Two home
game to the Raiders. Indianapolis had a 21-0 lead in the first half before squandering it
and losing 38-31.
WHEN THE JAGUARS HAVE THE BALL:
One of the reasons the Jaguars haven’t been able to dominate on the ground so far
has been the absence of RB Fred Taylor, who has missed the first three games with a knee
injury. He is expected to come back vs. the Colts, provided he doesn’t suffer any
setbacks during this week’s practices. The Colts’ defense allowed 152 rushing
yards to the Raiders in Week Two after holding Kansas City to 74.
In his first two games of 2000, Brunell looked nearly invincible, hooking up with the
Jaguars’ receivers for 687 passing yards. Last week in rainy and windy conditions,
Brunell totaled just 176 yards through the air. |
|
|
| RCA Dome |
| Indianapolis, Ind. |
| Date: Monday, September 25, 2000 |
| 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time |
| Type Of Turf: Artificial |
| Meeting Of The Year: Only |
| Season Record: |
| |
Jacksonville |
2-1-0 |
| |
Indianapolis |
1-1-0 |
| Season Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
Jacksonville |
2-0-1 |
| |
Indianapolis |
1-1-0 |
| Home/Road Record: |
| |
Jacksonville (R) |
1-1-0 |
| |
Indianapolis (H) |
0-1-0 |
| Home/Road Record Vs. Spread: |
| |
Jacksonville (R) |
1-0-1 |
| |
Indianapolis (H) |
0-1-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf: |
| |
Jacksonville |
0-0-0 |
| |
Indianapolis |
0-1-0 |
| Record On Artificial Turf Vs. Spread: |
| |
Jacksonville |
0-0-0 |
| |
Indianapolis |
0-1-0 |
|
|
| Brunell’s top two targets are Jimmy Smith (27 catches for 384 yards and four TDs
in three games) and Keenan McCardell (26-284-1). The presence of rookie R. Jay Soward
allows the Jaguars to employ more three-WR sets than in previous seasons. Colts CBs Jeff
Burris and Tyrone Poole are above-average players, but they will have trouble keeping up
with the Jaguars’ aerial assault. If the Colts are going to have success against
the Jaguars’ high-octane offense, they will need to improve their pass rush. The
Colts have netted just one sack in their first two games. DRE Chad Bratzke, who had 12
sacks last season, is a dangerous rusher, but he will be battling one of the best left
tackles in the NFL, Tony Boselli. The Colts are hoping pass-rush specialist Mark Thomas
will be available this week after missing the first two games.
Check the status of PK Mike Hollis (back), who missed last week’s game.
WHEN THE COLTS HAVE THE BALL:
The Colts’ offense centers around the famed "triplets" — QB Peyton
Manning, RB Edgerrin James and WR Marvin Harrison. The trio is largely responsible for the
848 yards and 58 points the offense has scored in two games.
Indianapolis could become even more explosive if it ever finds a solid No. 2 receiver.
While Terrence Wilkins, who started 11 games last season, missed the first two games
because of a concussion, Jerome Pathon and E.G. Green shared time across from Harrison.
Wilkins may be able to return this week. That would not only help the offense, but
probably the return game as well.
Jacksonville’s secondary became one of its strengths last year with the addition
of CB Fernando Bryant. He’s an outstanding young cover man and is joined by Aaron
Beasley, whose 13 career takeaways is the most ever by a Jaguars player.
James does it all. Not only is he a hard runner, he is a superb pass catcher out of the
backfield. The Colts aren’t afraid to go with an empty backfield and put James in the
slot as a receiver. The Jaguars signed LB Hardy Nickerson to help strengthen their run
defense. Nickerson made an impact last week with an interception.
Expect to see the Colts use the no-huddle offense early and often to keep the
Jaguars’ defenders guessing and out of breath.
All game previews and depth charts were compiled as of Sept. 17, 2000 |
|
OFFENSE |
| WR |
82 Ji. SMITH, 86 Whitted |
| OLT |
71 BOSELLI, 78 Fordham |
| OLG |
63 MEESTER*, 73 Je. Smith |
| C |
66 WADE, 65 Neujahr, 73 Je. Smith |
| ORG |
68 STAI, 73 Je. Smith, 77 Wiegert |
| ORT |
77 WIEGERT, 69 Baniewicz, 72 Searcy |
| TE |
80 BRADY, 85 Griffith, 83 DeLong |
| WR |
87 McCARDELL, 81 Soward*, 84 Barlow |
| QB |
8 BRUNELL, 10 Martin, 12 Quinn |
| RB |
28 TAYLOR, 34 Mack, 33 Stith*, 42 Dukes* |
| FB |
31 SHELTON |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
97 WYNN, 92 Meier*, 98 Richie |
| DLT |
96 WALKER, 93 Leroy |
| DRT |
91 PAYNE, 94 L. Smith |
| DRE |
90 BRACKENS, 99 Smeenge |
| SLB |
58 MARTS, 55 Clark*, 50 Storz |
| MLB |
56 NICKERSON, 53 Slaughter* |
| WLB |
51 HARDY, 52 Boyer, 55 Clark* |
| LCB |
25 BRYANT, 29 Craft |
| RCB |
21 BEASLEY, 41 Thomas* |
| SS |
20 DARIUS, 32 Logan |
| FS |
26 STEWART, 45 Olson* |
SPECIALIST |
| P |
4 BARKER, 2 Lindsey |
| PK |
2 LINDSEY, 1 Hollis |
| H |
4 BARKER, 2 Lindsey, 1 Hollis |
| PR |
84 BARLOW, 81 Soward*, 87 McCardell |
| KR |
84 BARLOW, 34 Mack, 86 Whitted |
| LS |
85 GRIFFIN, 65 Neujhar |
* Rookie |
|
|
OFFENSE |
| WR |
86 PATHON, 80 Wilkins, 84 Green |
| OLT |
78 GLENN, 73 Meadows |
| OLG |
76 McKINNEY, 74 Jackson |
| C |
63 SATURDAY, 54 Armour |
| ORG |
50 MOORE, 69 Gilbert |
| ORT |
73 MEADOWS, 74 Jackson |
| TE |
85 DILGER, 81 Pollard |
| WR |
88 HARRISON, 16 Kent, 16 Plummer |
| QB |
18 MANNING, 13 Holcomb, 14 Hobert |
| RB |
32 JAMES, 34 al-Jabbar, 43 McDougal* |
| H-b |
81 POLLARD, 36 Finn |
DEFENSE |
| DLE |
79 HOLSEY, 90 M. Thomas, 91 Nwokorie |
| DLT |
95 WHITTINGTON, 64 Chester |
| DRT |
62 JOHNSON, 96 J. Williams*, 65 Miller* |
| DRE |
92 BRATZKE, 99 Scioli |
| LLB |
97 BENNETT, 53 Washington* |
| MLB |
56 HOLLIER, 94 Morris* |
| RLB |
52 PETERSON, 55 R. Thomas |
| LCB |
20 BURRIS, 28 Macklin*, 41 P. Williams* |
| RCB |
38 POOLE, 31 Muhammad, 21 Miranda |
| SS |
37 COTA, 47 Austin |
| FS |
29 BELSER, 26 Blevins |
SPECIALIST |
| P |
17 SMITH |
| PK |
12 VANDERJAGT, 7 Kight |
| H |
17 SMITH |
| PR |
80 WILKINS, 41 P. Williams* |
| KR |
80 WILKINS, 41 P. Williams* |
| KC |
48 SNOW*, 85 Dilger |
* Rookie |
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