INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – No Fournette? No problem.
That was the case Sunday, with the Jaguars pulling away for a one-sided victory despite rookie running back Leonard Fournette missing the first game of his NFL career.
Blake Bortles completed 18 of 26 passes for 330 yards and a touchdown with no interceptions – and the Jaguars' defense tied the franchise record for sacks in a 27-0 victory over the Indianapolis Colts in front of 63,104 at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday.
The Jaguars outgained the Colts, 518-232. It was the Jaguars' first shutout since a 41-0 victory over the Jets in Jacksonville on October 6, 2006.
The Jaguars' 10 sacks Sunday brought their league-leading total to 33. Defensive end Yannick Ngakoue led the Jaguars with 2.5 sacks, and defensive end Calais Campbell registered two sacks and now has a career-high nine this season.
The 33 sacks are the most in franchise history through seven games, and their 10 sacks Sunday tied the franchise record set in Week 1 at Houston.
The Jaguars moved to 4-3 and remained in at least a tie for first place in the AFC South entering their 2017 bye week. The Colts fell to 2-5.
The Jaguars are now 3-1 away from EverBank Field this season, including a 2-0 road record in the division. They beat AFC South rival Houston in Houston in Week 1.
Fournette, who entered Week 7 as the NFL's second-leading rusher, missed the game with an ankle injury sustained last week against the Los Angeles Rams. Fournette scored touchdowns in each of the season's first six games and had accounted for more than 30 percent of the Jaguars' offense.
The Jaguars scored on their first four possessions Sunday, driving 75 and 70 yards for touchdowns on their first two drives, then 67 and 66 yards for field goals on their second two drives. The Jaguars had a 277-61 total-yardage advantage when they took a 20-0 lead with 1:56 remaining in the first half.
The Jaguars won for the fourth time in 17 all-time games in Indianapolis.
Running back T.J. Yeldon rushed for 122 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Step by step:
*The Jaguars dominated early, taking a two-touchdown lead in the game's first 10 minutes while holding the Colts to 19 yards in that span. They took an early lead with a 75-yard drive on the game's opening possession, with running back Chris Ivory's one-yard touchdown run making it 7-0 with 9:30 remaining; Bortles completed four of five passes for 41 yards on the drive. The Jaguars forced a punt on the first Colts possession, taking a 14-0 lead when Bortles passed five yards to tight end Marcedes Lewis with 5:01 remaining in the first quarter; Bortles' 52-yard pass to rookie wide receiver Keelan Cole set up Lewis' touchdown. …
*The Jaguars stayed in control early in the second quarter, taking a 17-0 lead with a 42-yard field goal by newly-signed kicker Josh Lambo with 7:38 remaining in the half; the Jaguars held a 192-53 total-yardage advantage at that point. A 33-yard field goal by Lambo with 1:56 remaining in the first half made it 20-0, Jaguars.
*The Jaguars pushed the lead to 27-0 when Yeldon scored on a career-high 58-yard touchdown run with 5:58 remaining in the third quarter. The Jaguars had outgained the Colts 459-79 at that point. The Jaguars held the Colts' offense on downs at the Colts six-yard line with 1:43 remaining in the third quarter.
Notable: The Jaguars drove 75, 70, 67 and 66 yards on their first four possessions Sunday. … The Jaguars have scored on their first drive in six of seven games this season; they have scored touchdowns on their first possession in three of the last four games. … The Jaguars' touchdowns on their first two possessions marked the first time they had accomplished the feat since a 27-14 loss to Arizona in December 2013. … Cole's 52-yard, first-quarter reception was the Jaguars' longest pass play of the season; the previous long pass was 35 yards.
Injury report: Rookie left tackle Cam Robinson sustained a left ankle injury in the first quarter and did not return. … Wide receiver Marqise Lee (knee) and safety Tashaun Gipson (neck) played after being listed as questionable on the Friday injury report. … Jaguars inactives Sunday: Fournette, wide receiver Jaelen Strong, cornerback Lafayette Pitts, cornerback Jalen Myrick, center Brandon Linder (illness), offensive lineman Josh Walker and offensive lineman William Poehls; center Tyler Shatley started a third consecutive game for Linder.
What's next:The Jaguars have a bye next week and are scheduled to play the Cincinnati Bengals in Jacksonville Sunday, November 5.
