The Jaguars win the first game of 2024, defeating the Colts 37-34

The Colts entered the weekend having lost every road game against the Jaguars since 2014.

Indianapolis put up a valiant effort, but Jacksonville kept that special streak alive with a 37-34 victory.

The Jaguars had a 34-20 lead when Tank Bigsby took a carry 65 yards to the end zone with 5:09 left in the fourth quarter. But under the leadership of backup Joe Flacco, the Colts weren’t done yet.

Flacco connected with Alec Pierce for a 46-yard pass to the 1-yard line on the ensuing drive. Trey Sermon went into the end zone on the next play, making the score 34-27 as the Colts failed to go for a two count despite trailing by eight.

A quick three-and-out by the Jaguars gave the Colts the ball back to their own 23-yard line. After a run by Sermon, Flacco hit Pierce again, this time for a 65-yard touchdown to tie the score at 34-34.

But as was the case most of the day, Indianapolis couldn’t get a hold when it needed it most. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence moved Jacksonville into opposing territory with an 11-yard pass to tight end Luke Farrell. Then a 14-yard pass to Christian Kirk put the Jaguars within field goal range.

Rookie Cam Little hit his 49-yard field goal to give the Jaguars a three-point lead with 17 seconds left.

Taavon Walker, who had given Flacco a strip sack early in the contest, finished with a sack to win the game.

Walker finished the game with five total tackles, including three for a loss, with 3.0 sacks, a pass defensed and a forced fumble.

Lawrence set a new career high with 371 passing yards, surpassing his previous high of 368. He completed 28 of 34 passes with two touchdowns and one interception.

Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. had five catches for 122 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown in the second quarter.

On the other hand, Flacco finished 34 of 44 for 359 yards, three touchdowns, no picks and a lost fumble. The Colts played without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, running back Jonathan Taylor and center Ryan Kelly due to injuries.

Right defender Will Fries also had to leave the game due to an injury to his right leg. He was carried off the field in the air.

At 1-4, the Jaguars will travel across the pond to play the Bears in London next week.

The 2-3 Colts will play on the road against another AFC South opponent, the Titans.