Eyes in the Backfield-Jaguars

Written by Nate Dunlevy | 30 December 2011

6 Things to Watch For in Sunday's Colts Jaguars Game

I never get tired of watching this.

Last week the Colts toppled the Texans and turned an otherwise forgettable week 17 game into one of the most important games in franchise history. Or something like that. Here's what to watch for this week:

1. Watch for hyperbole. Look, if Andrew Luck turns out to be Peyton Manning, Part Deux, then yes, this game is a franchise changer. However, there's a solid chance he won't be. He could be a run of the mill Pro-Bowl QB. That would be great and all, but those come along far more often than "once a generation". With talking heads yapping about whether the Colts should tank, the point needs to be made that Indy has the #2 at worst, and that pick may also be worth a hefty haul. Let's all just calm down a bit. This is an interesting game, but hardly one that will forever curse or bless the Colts future for a thousand generations.

2. Watch for a silver lining. If the Colts do miss out on the top pick, then it could end up being a franchise saver. First, instead of being tempted to cut Peyton Manning, he'll almost assuredly be back. Second, they won't be tempted to carry two elite QBs. Robert Griffin III is an amazing talent, but I don't see him running a Mannning style offense. You can't carry two guys that different on your roster, so Indy will STILL have the option of dealing the #2 pick for a tidy haul or taking someone who will actually help them win in 2012 and 2013. Suddenly, the Colts course of action is that much clearer going forward. I'm honestly not that worried about the #1 or #2 pick because my preference is that Indy deal the pick and I think that's more likely at 2 than at 1. Beyond that, splitting the season series with the AFC South without Peyton is a major 'eff you' to the whole division. Nothing says, 'we own you' like splitting without Peyton Manning. It's ironic, because the Colts aren't the worst team in football. The Rams are clearly worse. The truth is that they 'deserve' the #1 pick.

3. Watch for a fitting end. The Wayne Weaver era is almost up in Jacksonville, and it will end with a horrible team with no coach, a bad quarterback, and a lot of empty seats. That basically sums up the Jags. The team made a massive mistake in drafting Gabbert with Del Rio in a lame duck situation. Now Gabbert, who may well be terrible, will have to learn a whole new system next year. The dumpster burns bright in Jacksonville like the burning soles of so many discount shoes.

4. Watch for sleepy eyes. Dan Orlovsky's wife had triplets, so it's been an exhausting and emotional week for him. Statistically, Jacksonville and Houston have very similar defenses in terms of overall quality, so don't expect a point explosion from the Colts. Indy dominated the clock and the ball against the Texans, but couldn't put up touchdowns until the end. This is going to be a 17-12 kind of game. The team that wins will be the one that puts up two touchdowns instead of four field goals.

5. Watch guys playing for their jobs. You don't think the boys in blue and white know that this team could be totally overhauled next year? Don't think they know that not getting the top pick greatly increases the chances that Peyton Manning is the man in Indy for four more years? I expect there to be some serious scrapping on the field on Sunday. The Colts want this game, and I expect there to be a lot of passion.

6. Watch for the top pick. I don't think Orlovsky is good enough to do it two weeks in a row. The Colts drop a squeaker and the angst subsides for about 5 hours as fans go on the Caldwell watch. Then the real angst will begin. Jags 17 Colts 12.

Note: this is possibly the last major article I'll write for 18to88.com. Thanks. It absolutely won't be the last Eyes in the Backfield, though. I promise that it will be back in 2012.

Happy New Year, everyone. I'll see you on the other side.