Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts Preview

By Darrell Laurant | Saturday, September 17, 2005 | ( 0 )

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After lackluster preseason performances, both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts enjoyed convincing victories in week one. It just goes to show you that the pre-season rarely means a thing.

The Jacksonville Jaguars protected RB Fred Taylor's gimpy left knee during the exhibition schedule, permitting him only four carries, veteran WR Jimmy Smith kept dropping passes, and DE Reggie Hayward was singled out for his lack of production. Then the regular season opened, and Smith caught two touchdown passes from Byron Leftwich, Taylor had 20 carries, and Hayward kept a consistent pass rush on Matt Hasselbeck during a 26-14 victory over Seattle.

Now the Jacksonville Jaguars face the AFC South favorite Indianapolis Colts, whose 24-7 cruise past Baltimore was surprisingly easy. Peyton Manning was, well, Peyton Manning - 254 aerial yards, two touchdowns. The receiving corps looked sharp, and LB Gary Brackett led a strong defensive effort with nine tackles and two interceptions.

Jacksonville was only one of four teams to beat the Colts last year, and they did it at the RCA Dome. Indy's defensive backs are current banged up, and TE Dallas Clark is coming off a concussion. But with Manning under center, it's hard not to look at the Colts as the favorites.

Kickoff is at 1 p.m EDT.

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