The Indianapolis Colts (0-1) continued without a season-opening victory for the 10th consecutive season, losing 31-21 to the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.
It was a pretty sloppy but competitive bout between these two division mates. Throughout the second half, there were four lead changes before the Jaguars got their dagger touchdown on a 26-yard touchdown run from Travis Etienne with four minutes remaining in the game.
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As we’ll do every week, here’s a look at the snap counts on offense, defense and special teams, followed by our analysis below:
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Offense: 72
Defense: 70
Special Teams: 28
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- WR Michael Pittman Jr. led all skill players with a 97% snap share, followed closely by WR Alec Pierce (92%).
- Meanwhile, rookie WR Josh Downs (79%) had the slot all to himself as WR Isaiah McKenzie played on just one offensive snap.
- Pittman Jr. and Downs combined for 18 of the team’s 39 pass attempts.
- The backfield rotation was clear as it was led heavily by RB Deon Jackson (71%). He was followed by Jake Funk (18%) and Evan Hull (11%), though an argument could be made that Hull was going to see a good chunk of work before his knee injury.
- There was no rotation on the offensive line. LG Quenton Nelson (96%) missed three plays due to a toe injury before returning.
- At tight end, Kylen Granson (61%) led the way pretty heavily over Mo Alie-Cox (42%) and Andrew Ogletree (21%). The latter exited during the second half due to a concussion.
- Granson saw six targets while Alie-Cox and Ogletree saw two each.
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- Three defenders played every defensive snap: S Rodney Thomas II, S Julian Blackmon, LB Zaire Franklin
- An argument could be made that CBs Dallis Flowers (99%) and Kenny Moore II (97%) would have played every snap if they hadn’t collided with each other early in the game. They both missed a few plays being evaluated.
- LB Shaquille Leonard (86%) saw a hefty workload in his season debut, and it’s clear the Colts will be using two-linebacker packages most of the time.
- There was a lot of rotation on the defensive line. DT DeForest Buckner (67%), DT Grover Stewart (66%) and DE Kwity Paye (66%) were the leaders on the defensive line.
- CB Darrell Baker Jr. (69%) was the third cornerback in rotation as the Colts opted to keep Moore on the field in two cornerback packages.
- On his only defensive snap, CB Tony Brown came up with an interception. Meanwhile, S Nick Cross didn’t see any defensive snaps.
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- LB E.J. Speed (89%) led all players in special teams snaps followed closely by CB Tony Brown (82%) and LB Segun Olubi (82%).
- WR Isaiah McKenzie served as the team’s punt returner. He played five special teams snaps while fielding two punts, averaging 10.0 yards per return.
- CB Dallis Flowers (29%) was able to return just one kick return for 19 yards.
- Other players with significant special teams work included: CB Jaylon Jones (64%), S Trevor Denbow (64%), S Nick Cross (64%) and LB Grant Stuard (64%).