Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17

As the NFL regular season enters its penultimate week, the Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars face off in a high-stakes AFC South rematch that could reshape the division’s playoff picture. Week 17’s showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium isn’t just another divisional game—it’s a battle for positioning, with the Colts clinging to playoff hopes and the Jaguars fighting to solidify their hold on a wild-card spot. The two teams already met earlier this season, with the Jaguars claiming a 24-17 victory in Jacksonville back in Week 6—a result that left the Colts eager for redemption. This time, the Colts return to familiar territory, where they’ve gone 5-2 this season, feeding off the energy of a home crowd that’s proven to be a distraction for opposing teams. With both rosters dealing with late-season injuries but still fielding competitive lineups, the game promises to be a physical, strategic battle that tests each team’s resilience. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 isn’t just a rematch of rivals—it’s a must-win for the Colts if they want to keep their playoff dreams alive.

The Colts’ offense, led by quarterback Gardner Minshew, enters the rematch with a clear focus on fixing the issues that plagued them in their first meeting with the Jaguars. In Week 6, Minshew struggled with turnovers (throwing two interceptions) and the offensive line allowed four sacks, limiting the team’s ability to sustain drives. Since then, the Colts have made adjustments: Minshew has cut down on mistakes (throwing just three interceptions in the last eight games) and the offensive line, now healthy after losing left tackle Bernhard Raimann to injury earlier in the season, has improved its pass protection. Running back Jonathan Taylor, who was held to 62 yards on 18 carries in Week 6, has also found his rhythm, rushing for over 100 yards in three of his last five games. The Colts plan to lean on Taylor’s ground game to control the clock and keep the Jaguars’ high-powered offense off the field, while Minshew looks to connect with wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.—who had eight catches for 95 yards in the first meeting—for big plays downfield. These adjustments aren’t just about avenging a loss; they’re about proving the Colts can adapt to a divisional rival’s strengths. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 will hinge on the offense’s ability to execute a cleaner, more consistent game plan than they did in Jacksonville.

On the defensive side, the Colts face the challenge of slowing down a Jaguars offense that’s found its stride in recent weeks. Jacksonville’s quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been sharp, throwing for 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns in his last five games, while running back Travis Etienne has emerged as a dual-threat, rushing for 450 yards and catching 15 passes during the same stretch. In Week 6, the Colts’ defense struggled to contain Etienne, who rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown, and allowed Lawrence to convert 70% of his third-down passes. This time, the Colts are emphasizing discipline: defensive coordinator Gus Bradley has implemented new blitz packages designed to pressure Lawrence without leaving the secondary vulnerable, and linebacker Zaire Franklin—who leads the team with 145 tackles—will be tasked with shadowing Etienne in both the run and pass game. The Colts’ secondary, which added veteran safety Rodney McLeod at the trade deadline, has also improved, intercepting seven passes in the last six games. Stopping the Jaguars’ offense won’t be easy, but the Colts’ defense has shown it can rise to the occasion against top competition. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 will require the defense to limit big plays and force Lawrence into costly mistakes.

A critical advantage for the Indianapolis Colts in this rematch is the energy of their home crowd, which has become a secret weapon in late-season games. Lucas Oil Stadium, known for its loud, enclosed environment, can make communication difficult for opposing teams—especially for a Jaguars offense that relies on Lawrence’s ability to audible at the line of scrimmage. In Week 17, the Colts are expecting a near-sellout crowd, with fans eager to cheer on a team fighting for playoff relevance. The crowd’s impact was evident in the Colts’ Week 15 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where noise from the stands forced three false-start penalties on the Buccaneers’ offensive line and disrupted their timing. For the Jaguars, who have gone 3-4 on the road this season, adapting to the crowd’s energy will be a key challenge. The Colts plan to feed off this momentum, using pregame rallies and in-stadium promotions to keep the crowd engaged from kickoff to the final whistle. This home-field advantage isn’t just about comfort—it’s about creating an environment that tilts the game in the Colts’ favor. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 will see the crowd play an active role in the team’s quest for victory.

The Indianapolis Colts’ special teams unit, often overlooked but crucial in close games, enters the rematch with a focus on making game-changing plays. In their first meeting with the Jaguars, the Colts’ special teams struggled: a missed field goal in the second quarter and a short punt in the fourth quarter gave the Jaguars good field position, leading to 10 points. Since then, the unit has turned things around: kicker Matt Gay has made 12 of his last 13 field goal attempts, including three from beyond 50 yards, and punter Rigoberto Sanchez has averaged 48 yards per punt, pinning opponents inside their 20-yard line 15 times in the last eight games. The Colts’ return game has also improved, with wide receiver Ashton Dulin averaging 25 yards per kickoff return—good for sixth in the NFL. Special teams coordinator Brian Mason has emphasized the importance of field position in this rematch, noting that “winning the battle of field position can turn a close game in our favor.” For the Colts, a big return, a clutch field goal, or a blocked punt could be the difference between winning and losing. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 will require the special teams unit to be as consistent as the offense and defense.

Looking ahead, a win in Week 17 would have far-reaching implications for the Indianapolis Colts, extending their season and keeping their playoff hopes alive. With a victory over the Jaguars, the Colts would improve their record to 8-7, moving them into a tie with the Jaguars for the final wild-card spot (depending on other Week 17 results) and giving them the head-to-head tiebreaker. A loss, however, would likely eliminate them from playoff contention, ending a season that showed flashes of promise but fell short of expectations. Beyond the playoff race, the game is a chance for the Colts to build momentum for next season, especially if they can beat a divisional rival on home turf. For players like Minshew, who’s set to become a free agent in the offseason, and Taylor, who’s still establishing himself as a top-tier running back, a strong performance could shape their futures with the franchise. Even for the coaching staff, a win would validate the adjustments they’ve made since Week 6 and reinforce their strategy for building a competitive team. Jaguars Rematch: Indianapolis Colts Defend Home Turf in Week 17 isn’t just about one game—it’s about the Colts’ future, both in 2024 and beyond.