Colts Light Up Jaguars on Monday Night, 42–28

 

INDIANAPOLIS – Under the bright lights of Monday Night Football, the Indianapolis Colts turned in a statement performance, powering past the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 42–28 shootout that featured explosive offense, timely defense, and more than a few highlight-reel plays.

The Colts, behind Peyton Manning’s precision passing and Edgerrin James’ bruising runs, improved to 3–0 on the young season. Jacksonville, meanwhile, was undone by turnovers and costly mistakes that overshadowed a strong start.

A First-Half Shootout

The fireworks started early. On the opening drive, Manning orchestrated a flawless 8-play march, capping it with a 14-yard strike to Marvin Harrison in the corner of the end zone. Jacksonville answered immediately, as Mark Brunell found Jimmy Smith on a slant that turned into a 55-yard sprint down the sideline for the tying score.

The teams traded blows throughout the first half. James powered in from the goal line after a 30-yard reception set up by Marcus Pollard, while Jacksonville’s Fred Taylor ripped through the Colts’ front seven for a 42-yard touchdown run that silenced the RCA Dome.

By halftime, the game was knotted at 21–21, both offenses moving at will, both defenses looking for answers.

Colts Defense Finds Its Spark

The second half was a different story. After the Jaguars opened the third quarter with a field-position advantage, Brunell was intercepted by Chad Cota on a tipped ball intended for Smith. Manning wasted no time, hitting Harrison again on a 27-yard post route to give Indy a 28–21 lead.

From there, the Colts’ defense began to tilt the game. Rookie pass rusher Robert Mathis pressured Brunell into hurried throws, while linebacker Mike Peterson stuffed Taylor on a critical 3rd-and-2. The Jaguars, who entered the game converting nearly half their third downs, went just 2-for-7 after halftime.

Jacksonville’s mistakes piled up: three turnovers, including a fumble by Taylor deep in Colts territory, swung momentum firmly toward Indy.

James Closes It Out

With the defense finally settling in, Manning and James went to work. James finished with over 150 yards from scrimmage, including a 21-yard touchdown scamper that made it 35–21. Jacksonville struck back once more — Brunell to Smith on a fade — trimming the lead to 35–28, but the Colts’ offensive line imposed its will late.

On a back-breaking 11-play drive, Manning converted two third downs, including a dart to Jerome Pathon, before James plowed in from 4 yards out. That touchdown, his third of the night, pushed the score to 42–28 and ended Jacksonville’s comeback hopes.

By the Numbers

• Third Downs: Colts 6-for-11 (52%); Jaguars 7-for-14 (50%), but just 2-for-7 in the second half.
• Turnovers: Jacksonville 3 (2 INT, 1 fumble); Colts 2.
• Giveaways/Takeaways swing: Colts turned two of Jacksonville’s mistakes into touchdowns.
• Penalty Yardage: Jaguars flagged 9 times for 80+ yards, including a costly roughing-the-passer call on a Manning touchdown drive.
• Key Duo: Manning (280 yards, 3 TD) and James (125 rush, 2 TD; 40 receiving, 1 TD).

Looking Ahead

The Colts’ win reestablishes them as a contender in the AFC, showing they can combine their offensive firepower with a defense that forces mistakes when it matters most. Jacksonville, now 2–2, has the talent to rebound but must clean up turnovers and penalties if they want to keep pace in a loaded AFC Central.

On this Monday night, though, the spotlight belonged to Manning, James, and Harrison — a trio that looked every bit like the heirs to the Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf.”