National Football League
Jacksonville 30, Indianapolis 10
When: 1:00 PM ET, Sunday, December 3, 2017
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
Temperature: 70°
Head Official: Bill Vinovich
Attendance: 61207

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- When quarterback Blake Bortles plays well, the Jaguars are nearly impossible to beat.

Bortles threw for 309 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions as the Jaguars defeated the Indianapolis Colts 30-10 Sunday at EverBank Field.

That was more than enough for the NFL's top-ranked defense.

The Jaguars (8-4) remain tied for first place in the AFC South with Tennessee and rebounded well from a disappointing 27-24 loss at Arizona last week. The Jaguars have yet to lose consecutive games this season.

"I really think the quarterback had an excellent game," Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said. "He really played well. I thought the receivers made some really good strong catches, good hand catches, which was good to see."

Jacksonville has also locked in its first non-losing season since 2010 and will have four chances to achieve its first winning season in a decade.

Bortles led the Jaguars to a sweep over the Colts (3-9), completing 26-of-35 passes and elevating his play on third down. The Jaguars converted nine times in 15 situations.

"Everyone says the identity of our team is go out, play good defense, run the football and control the clock," Bortles said. "I think we've been put in a couple of situations where we've had to throw the ball, and I think we've delivered. Last week was kind of uncharacteristic of our passing game, so it felt good to be able to get back on track. I thought it was a good day all around."

Jacksonville put the game away with a 67-yard touchdown drive to open the second half. Bortles was perfect on all four passes on the drive for 55 yards.

"You just can't make the mistakes that we're making and win football games," Colts head coach Chuck Pagano said. "Defensively, we did a nice job against the run. Held them pretty much in check, but we didn't hold up very well against the pass game. They threw for a bunch of yards on us."

Rookie running back Leonard Fournette capped the march with a 5-yard touchdown run. He walked in as Indianapolis' defense wilted. Fournette ran for 57 yards on 20 carries.

The score gave the Jaguars a 24-3 lead with 10:34 to play in the third quarter.

"It's December and it's going to be hard to score, hard to get into the end zone," Fournette said. "Blake was doing a tremendous job. The wide receivers were making plays. That's what we need."

Fournette and several of his teammates celebrated the touchdown by simulating a free throw. Fournette shot it over the crossbar, while right tackle Jermey Parnell boxed out the lane.

Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett did find receiver T.Y. Hilton for a 40-yard touchdown on fourth-and-2 with 6:40 to play in the third quarter, but Indianapolis never threatened again.

The Jaguars added two field goals to cruise to the victory.

The Jaguars sparked their first touchdown drive by successfully faking a punt. Punter Brad Nortman completed a 29-yard pass to tight end James O'Shaughnessy to the Colts' 22-yard line.

"Our guys blocked well and O'Shaughnessy did a nice release out there," Nortman said. "I was able to hit him. It was good throughout the week of practice and I've got to give credit to our coaching staff for calling it at the right time."

Bortles completed a 4-yard touchdown pass to receiver Marqise Lee to give the Jaguars a 7-0 lead with 6:18 left in the first quarter. Bortles has thrown 12 touchdowns and no picks in the red zone this season.

The teams traded field goals. Jacksonville's Josh Lambo hit a 30-yarder before Indianapolis' Adam Vinatieri was true from 27.

The Jaguars built a 16-3 lead at halftime. Bortles delivered an excellent pass to the back corner of the end zone to receiver Keelan Cole for an 8-yard touchdown with 1:55 to play in the second quarter.

The Colts drove into Jaguars territory before cornerback Jalen Ramsey picked off Brissett at the 6-yard line with 33 seconds left to end the threat.

Indianapolis running back Frank Gore was able to make some history in the loss. He moved to fifth on the NFL's all-time rushing list, passing former Pittsburgh running back Jerome Bettis and former San Diego running back LaDainian Tomlinson. Gore ran for 42 yards in the first half, eclipsing Bettis in the second quarter and moved past Tomlinson in the third. Gore finished with 61 yards and has 13,696 yards in his 13-year career.

"It's a blessing," Gore said. "I respect all the guys I passed -- especially the one today, L.T. ... When you look back on my career coming out of college with all the ups and downs, I got here. There were a lot of doubters that thought I wouldn't be here long. I'm still here and still competing."

NOTES: Jaguars DE Calais Campbell broke the franchise's single-season sack record in the first quarter. Campbell sacked Colts QB Jacoby Brissett to push his total to 12.5. Tony Brackens (12 in 1999) had owned the mark. The Jaguars played a tribute on their video boards in the second quarter to honor Campbell. The 10-year-veteran smiled and raised up his arm in appreciation. ... The Jaguars swept the Colts for the first time since 2011. ... Indianapolis CB Pierre Desir suffered a shoulder injury in the first quarter and did not return. ... RT Jermey Parnell returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with a knee injury. LB Telvin Smith (shoulder) and WR Allen Hurns (ankle) were inactive. Smith became the first Jaguars defensive player to miss a start this season. ... The Colts were without CB Rashaan Melvin (hand) and C Ryan Kelly (concussion).
Top Game Performances
Rushing
Indianapolis   Jacksonville
Frank Gore Player Leonard Fournette
13 Attempts 20
61 Yards 57
4.7 Avg Yards 2.8
0 Touchdowns 1
16 Long 24
Receiving
Indianapolis   Jacksonville
T.Y. Hilton Player Marqise Lee
3 Receptions 7
51 Yards 86
17.0 Avg Yards 12.3
1 Touchdowns 1
40 Long 22
Team Stats Summary
 
  Yards Scoring Defense
Team Tot Rus Pas TD FG INT Sck FF
Indianapolis 290 141 149 1 1 0 1.0 1
Jacksonville 426 96 330 3 3 2 4.0 1
Upcoming Games
  • Jacksonville will play their next game at home against Seattle. The Jaguars have a W/L % of .500 after a win and 1.000 after a loss.
  • Indianapolis will play their next game on the road against Buffalo. The Colts have a W/L % of .000 after a win and .375 after a loss.
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