With an offseason of questions ahead for both teams, the Indianapolis Colts capped their 2024 season in triumph on Sunday with a 26-23 overtime win over the Jacksonville Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Colts, a week removed from falling out of playoff contention, squandered a 20-13 halftime lead, with Jacksonville tying the game at 23 on a field goal with 1:44 left. A heavy dose of Jonathan Taylor in overtime, though, proved to be a winning formula, as the star running back logged six straight carries to set up a 38-yard Matt Gay field goal for the win.
Taylor, one of three Colts Pro Bowlers, paced an offense led once more by quarterback Joe Flacco with Anthony Richardson sidelined due to a back injury. The Colts finished the season 8-9, missing the playoffs for the fourth consecutive year.
While Indy ended the year on a high note, the Jaguars (4-13) have only a high draft pick and a strong closing performance from standout rookie receiver Brian Thomas Jr. to be excited about. Thomas, who entered with 1,179 yards, finished with seven receptions for 103 yards to become one of four rookie wideouts to record at least 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns (Ja’Marr Chase, Odell Beckham Jr., Randy Moss).
Attention in Jacksonville now turns to potential offseason changes, and whether the Jaguars will move on from coach Doug Pederson after three seasons.
Colts, Taylor end disappointing season on high note
The Colts started fast Sunday, needing just three plays on their opening drive to find the end zone. Flacco connected with Alec Pierce on a 40-yard reception that gave Indianapolis an early lead. Gay’s 38-yard field goal and linebacker Zaire Franklin’s clutch sack on Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones for a 16-yard loss in overtime proved to be the difference.
Taylor did his part, too, with his eighth 100-yard rushing game of the season. The two-time Pro Bowler totaled 34 carries for 177 yards and scored on a 6-yard scamper in the second quarter. Taylor finished the season with 1,431 rushing yards and 11 rushing TDs, both the second-most he’s ever had in his five-year career. — James Boyd, Colts beat writer
Indy set to face looming questions this offseason
Indianapolis ended with a win, but this year will be remembered for what the Colts didn’t do rather than what they did.
They didn’t win their season opener for the 11th straight year, they didn’t beat the Jaguars on the road for the 10th straight year and they didn’t win the AFC South title for the 10th straight year.
Indianapolis’ prolonged shortcomings will lead to big questions regarding the future of general manager Chris Ballard, coach Shane Steichen, defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and Richardson.
Ballard is now 62-69-1 through eight years in Indianapolis. Steichen is 17-17 through his first two years, but he’s failed to speak up in key moments this year, particularly when it comes to Richardson. Bradley’s defense entered Sunday’s contest ranked 26th in points allowed per game after finishing 28th in the previous two seasons. And, finally, Richardson missed his second straight game with a back injury and his missed 17 of a possible 34 games through his first two years with injuries. — Boyd
GO DEEPER
After another lost season, Colts face another crossroads: ‘There’s no vision here’
Jaguars eye top-5 pick as Pederson faces uncertain future
The Jaguars entered Sunday’s contest with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 draft and didn’t change their draft positioning with another loss.
Jacksonville’s four wins this year are the least it has had in a season since 2021. The poor campaign calls into the question the future of Pederson, who is now 22-29 in three seasons in Duval County.
The Jaguars started off 8-3 last year but lost five of their last six to miss the playoffs. They completely bottomed out this season. For what it’s worth, starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence missed seven games this season due to injury. — Boyd
Required reading
(Photo: Grace Hollars / IndyStar / USA Today Network)
