JACKSONVILLE – The raid continues.
This time it happened in a remarkably impressive – and one-sided – way.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence was remarkably efficient, the Jaguars’ defense was remarkably dominant — and a remarkable streak continued Sunday afternoon when the Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 24-0 to 58,360 at TIAA Bank Field in the home opener of the 2022 regular season.
“It was great,” Lawrence said. “It was much fun.”
The Jaguars (1-1) have won eight straight home games against the Colts (0-1-1), with Sunday’s win being the first for Doug Pederson as Jaguars head coach.
Pederson took over as head coach in February, with the Jaguars losing to the Washington Commanders in Week 1.
“Just very proud of this group, how resilient they are,” Pederson said.
Lawrence completed 25 of 30 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions in a preseason win that put the Jaguars 1-0 in the AFC South.
“It’s a big deal,” Lawrence said. “It’s a division win. We played really well, dominated the game. We should celebrate but when we come in tomorrow we have to turn the script around and get ready to start.”
Wide receiver Christian Kirk caught six passes for 78 yards and also both Lawrence touchdown passes — a 10-yarder in the first quarter and a five-yarder late in the third. Running back James Robinson rushed for 60 yards on 23 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown in the second quarter.
The Jaguars beat the Colts 331-218 – and led that category 308-113 going into the fourth quarter – the Jaguars were leading the final score at that point. The shutout was the first for the Jaguars since a 6-0 win over the Colts in Jacksonville on December 2, 2018.
“They played extremely well,” Pederson said of defense. “We know Indy lost some of their pass catchers (wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce). hats off [defensive coordinator] Mike Caldwell: Great defense plan. They did it in practice during the week. There you win football games during the week. Then you go out and carry out the plan. Things are starting to click for guys, I think.”
Colts running back Jonathan Taylor, the NFL’s leading rusher in 2021, rushed for 54 yards on nine carries. He rushed for four yards on five first-half carries.
Colts quarterback Matt Ryan completed 16 of 30 passes for 195 yards and no touchdowns with three interceptions.
“It’s huge,” said Jaguar safety Rayshawn Jenkins, who recorded one of Jaguars’ three interceptions. “That’s just the beginning. The ball is with us right now. It is our job to keep it that way. That’s our whole mindset. We’re just trying to stay on top of this thing and keep it going.”
Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen registered two sacks and forced a fumble for the second time in as many games. Defensive linemen Adam Gotis, Arden Key and Roy Robertson-Harris also registered sacks for the Jaguars, who finished the game with five sacks.