INDIANAPOLIS -- A few thoughts on the Indianapolis Colts' 23-3 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday:
What it means: This was supposed to be a bounce-back game for the Colts. After the way New England beat them last week, they had to do more than simply win. But that wasn’t the case, as the Colts struggled for more than a half before they got going by scoring 14 points in the third quarter. The Colts shook off giving up five sacks and fumbling six times, losing three of them. Houston’s loss to Cincinnati gives the Colts a two-game lead over the Texans in the AFC South with five remaining.
Stock watch: The offensive line was atrocious in the first half, giving up five sacks. Jacksonville's Chris Clemons had three sacks and a forced fumble in the first half. The offensive line did play better in the second half, not giving up a sack in the final 30 minutes of the game.
Luck’s streak ends: Andrew Luck's streak of consecutive games with at least 300 yards passing ended at eight games. He finished with 253 yards and a touchdown on 21-of-32 passing.
Boom starts: In what could be looked at as surprising decision, Daniel “Boom” Herron started at running back over Trent Richardson. Herron had been the third running back most of the season behind Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw. Herron moved up on the depth chart after Bradshaw was placed on injured reserve with a fractured fibula. Herron finished with 65 yards on 12 carries, while Richardson had 42 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries.
Cribbs’ presence felt: It didn’t take long to realize Josh Cribbs was an immediate upgrade over Griff Whalen as the Colts’ return specialist. One kickoff, in fact. Cribbs, whom the Colts just signed last week, took the opening kickoff 9 yards deep in the end zone and returned it 46 yards. Cribbs thought he had a punt return for a touchdown in the third quarter when he fumbled the ball, picked it up and took off for an apparent 82-yard touchdown, but the touchdown was nullified because Josh Gordy was called for unnecessary roughness on the play. Cribbs finished with 64 yards on two kickoff returns and 48 yards on five punt returns.
Game ball: Receiver T.Y. Hilton stayed true to his word when he said he wanted to score a touchdown for his newborn daughter, Eugenia. Hilton caught a 73-yard touchdown pass, then cradled the football in the end zone like it was his daughter. Hilton finished with four receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.
What’s next: The Colts complete their three-game homestand when they host the Washington Redskins at Lucas Oil Stadium on Nov. 30.