Ewers throws 3 TDs as Jaguars beat Colts 28-21

Jacksonville, FL - Quinn Ewers threw three touchdown passes, and the Jacksonville Jaguars protected an advantage through a competitive finish to defeat the Indianapolis Colts 28-21 in Week 8.

Ewers completed 11 of 18 passes for 165 yards and finished with a 130.7 passer rating. Jacksonville did not produce the bigger passing total or the larger overall yardage figure, but its quarterbacks combined for four touchdown passes and its offense scored touchdowns on two of three red-zone trips.

That efficiency stood out in a game Indianapolis often moved the ball between the 20s. The Colts finished with 409 offensive yards, 20 first downs and 293 passing yards, surpassing Jacksonville’s totals of 362 offensive yards, 15 first downs and 202 passing yards. The Jaguars, however, established an advantage and kept Indianapolis chasing the margin before the Colts narrowed it to one score.

"I liked the way we finished possessions," Ewers said. "We didn’t have the biggest yardage total, but when we got opportunities to put points up, we were able to finish. That’s the part you feel good about."

Brian Thomas Jr. was Jacksonville’s primary scoring target, catching six passes for 59 yards and three touchdowns. Trevor Lawrence also contributed 37 yards and a touchdown on 3-of-5 passing, giving the Jaguars productive work from both quarterbacks.

Jakobi Meyers supplied the biggest downfield production for Jacksonville. He caught two passes for a team-high 76 yards and a touchdown, including the game’s longest reception at 62 yards. That play also accounted for Ewers’ longest completion.

The Jaguars complemented their passing efficiency with 160 rushing yards, 44 more than Indianapolis. Joe Mixon gained 49 yards on seven carries, while LeQuint Allen Jr. added 41 yards on six attempts. Each broke a 26-yard run, sharing the longest rush of the game.

Jacksonville’s balance gave the game a different shape than the raw passing totals suggested. The Jaguars created separation without requiring Ewers to carry a high-volume workload, then continued to generate enough offense as Indianapolis pressed back into contention.

Will Levis kept the Colts productive through the air, completing 24 of 38 passes for a game-high 246 yards and two touchdowns. He posted a 99.2 passer rating and delivered a long completion of 50 yards, with Indianapolis repeatedly working its way back against Jacksonville’s advantage.

Deion Burks caught five passes for a game-high 86 yards and a touchdown, including that 50-yard completion. Tyler Warren was another steady option, finishing with seven receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown. Together, Burks and Warren accounted for both Indianapolis receiving scores and 167 yards.

The Colts also received 85 rushing yards from Kareem Hunt, the game’s leading rusher. Hunt handled a game-high 16 carries and broke a 20-yard run as Indianapolis finished with 116 yards on the ground.

"There was a lot that worked, but we didn’t get the result," Levis said. "We moved the football and gave ourselves chances. When you get down there, you want touchdowns, and that’s something we have to be better about."

Indianapolis reached the red zone three times but did not score a touchdown on those possessions, coming away with one field goal. Jacksonville also made three red-zone trips and scored two touchdowns. The contrast was notable in a seven-point game, even as the Colts held advantages in yardage and first downs.

The Colts converted 9 of 18 third downs and both of their fourth-down attempts. Jacksonville went 4-for-9 on third down. Neither defense recorded an interception, while the Jaguars registered four sacks and Indianapolis finished with three.

Those numbers reflected a game in which Indianapolis sustained more offense but Jacksonville was sharper in turning its opportunities into touchdowns. The Jaguars did not need a frantic final sequence to explain the outcome; they built an advantage, absorbed the Colts’ push and finished with their fourth touchdown providing the difference on the scoreboard.

"We had different guys contributing, and that matters," Thomas said. "When the ball came our way, the goal was to finish the opportunity. Four touchdowns through the air says a lot about how well the group worked together."

Jacksonville entered the week on a two-game losing streak, making the 28-21 result a needed change in direction. Indianapolis arrived after a loss of its own and left Jacksonville with another defeat despite producing more offensive yards, more first downs and a better third-down conversion rate.

Up Next

The Jaguars will try to build on the victory when they travel to face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9. The Colts return home looking to rebound against the Dallas Cowboys.