Colts Fall 42-7 to Jaguars in Jacksonville

The Indianapolis Colts suffered a 42-7 defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, dropping their 13th game in their last 15 contests. The loss in northeast Florida stands as the biggest margin of defeat for head coach Shane Steichen since taking over the team. With the Colts now sitting at a 2-6 record, the result has sharpened questions regarding the coaching staff and the roster as the season approaches its midpoint.

The game featured a notable execution error in the first half. Trailing 7-0, Steichen called a trick play on first down. The play involved a handoff to running back Jonathan Taylor, followed by a reverse to wide receiver Josh Downs. In the rain, Taylor threw the ball to Downs, hitting the receiver in the facemask. The ball bounced loose, and the Jaguars recovered the turnover. This play was part of a pattern for the Colts, who have struggled against divisional opponents in recent weeks, with the previous loss leading to the firing of general manager Chris Ballard.

Quarterback Daniel Jones continued his poor start to the season, finishing with 144 passing yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions on 19 of 28 attempts. One interception near the end of the first half was a deep pass intended for tight end Tyler Warren that resulted in a pick-six. Jones was benched early in the fourth quarter, allowing backup Anthony Richardson Sr. to enter the game for the first time in 2026. Despite the loss, Steichen did not appear pressured to start Richardson earlier in the game, maintaining his trust in Jones.

The defensive unit struggled against the Jaguars' offense, allowing five touchdowns in nine drives. The Jaguars opened the game with a 98-yard scoring drive fueled by coverage breakdowns. Rookie linebacker CJ Allen recorded a team-high 10 tackles and a sack on a blitz. Defensive end Jaylahn Tuimoloau forced a fumble with a spin move, though the Jaguars recovered. The defensive performance raised questions about coordinator Lou Anarumo as the team faces its first competent opposing offense in several weeks.

With the NFL trade deadline set for Tuesday, November 10, the Colts are expected to evaluate their remaining assets. The team had no surprise healthy inactives on Sunday, indicating key players were available for potential trades. Jonathan Taylor, who had only five carries in the first half and finished with eight total, is not being actively shopped but is listening to offers. Wide receiver Josh Downs scored the team's only touchdown, a play that occurred the same week he expressed openness to being traded. The Colts appear likely to trade up for a top-five or top-10 pick in the 2027 draft, possibly sending that selection to the New York Jets.

The loss extends the Colts' losing streak against Jacksonville, a rivalry that dates back to the 2015 season. This marks the 12th straight loss for Indianapolis against teams with a winning or .500 record. The Jaguars, now 5-2, hold the top spot in the AFC South. The Colts are 2-0 in home games and 0-6 on the road in this stretch, having lost nine consecutive road games.

The 35-point loss is the largest for the Colts since the 2017 season opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Inactive players for Sunday's game included wide receiver Anthony Gould, cornerback Justin Walley, linebacker Bryce Boettcher, offensive lineman Dalton Tucker, tight end Pharoah Brown, defensive tackle Kevin Givens, and offensive tackle Charlie Heck. Several players left the game due to injury, though specific details were not provided in the immediate post-game report.

The Colts will return home next week to host the Dallas Cowboys. The game is scheduled for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff. The Cowboys currently hold a 3-5 record. The trade deadline will occur two days after that contest, on Tuesday, November 10. The result against the Jaguars places the Colts at the halfway point of the season with a 2-6 record, effectively ending any realistic chances of ending their five-year playoff drought this year.

The team's next opportunity to improve its record comes against Dallas. The coaching staff will review the Jacksonville game to determine if changes are needed to the offensive or defensive schemes. The front office will finalize trade decisions before the November 10 deadline. The season continues with the Cowboys visit, providing a home stand opportunity for the team to stop its four-game losing streak.