Colts absorb 35-point loss in Jacksonville

The Indianapolis Colts absorbed a 35-point defeat on Sunday, marking their largest loss since the 2017 season opener against the Rams. The 42-7 result in Jacksonville stands as the biggest margin of defeat in the Shane Steichen era. The loss extends a grim run for the franchise, which has now dropped 13 of its last 15 contests.

The Colts offense struggled to find rhythm against the Jaguars defense. Daniel Jones was benched early in the fourth quarter after completing 19 of 28 passes for 144 yards. He threw one touchdown and two interceptions during the game. One of those interceptions was a back-breaking pick-six near the end of the first half. The ball traveled through the hands of Tyler Warren, ending a promising drive.

Defensive breakdowns allowed the Jaguars to capitalize on every opportunity. Jacksonville scored five touchdowns in nine drives. The Colts defense committed massive coverage errors on a 98-yard scoring drive early in the game. Lou Anarumo’s unit reverted to tackling issues seen earlier in the season. Despite these struggles, rookie linebacker CJ Allen recorded a team-high 10 tackles and a sack.

The trade deadline looms as the team prepares to sell assets. The deadline arrives on Tuesday, November 10, just two days after the Colts host the Dallas Cowboys. The franchise is looking to send a top-five or top-10 pick to the New York Jets for the 2027 draft. Jonathan Taylor, who had only five carries at halftime, is expected to be on the market. The Colts are listening to offers for the running back, though they are not actively shopping him.

The loss continues a long-standing trend against the Jaguars. This marks the 12th straight loss for Indianapolis against teams with a winning record. The losing streak in Jacksonville dates back to the 2015 campaign. The Jaguars now lead the AFC South with a 5-2 record, while the Colts sit at 2-6. The team returns home on Sunday to face the Cowboys, with a kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM.

Shane Steichen’s future remains in question following the performance. The coach has not made the postseason and has lost nine straight road games. The firing of Chris Ballard cleared the way for a fire sale before the trade deadline. A potential firing of Steichen would signal the start of a full rebuild. The team’s next test comes against a Dallas squad that holds a 3-5 record.

Injury reports listed several players as inactive for the game. Wide receiver Anthony Gould was out with concussions, while cornerback Justin Walley missed time due to a knee injury. Linebacker Bryce Boettcher was sidelined with a groin issue. Offensive linemen Dalton Tucker and Charlie Heck, along with tight end Pharoah Brown and defensive tackle Kevin Givens, also sat out. The roster depth issues continue to affect the team's ability to compete.

The Colts’ lone score came from Josh Downs, who found the end zone in the second half. Downs had recently expressed his willingness to accept a trade, making the touchdown a fitting moment for his tenure in Indianapolis. The team’s struggles on special teams and execution contributed to the blowout. The Jaguars controlled the clock and the scoreboard throughout the afternoon.