Even before Sunday's game Jaguars running back Travis Etienne had a strong belief in his playmaking abilities. Confident and determined, Etienne knew that he would make a significant impact when he lined up for a snap in the second quarter."I knew when I ran it in practice, I was going to score," Etienne confidently stated. And score he did.
Etienne proved to be a crucial component of the Jaguars' highest-scoring game of the season. His two second-quarter touchdown runs not only set the tone for the game but also contributed to the team's impressive 37-20 victory over the Indianapolis Colts at EverBank Stadium.
"Offensively, we were able to do our thing and then just kind of keep feeding off each other," said wide receiver Christian Kirk, highlighting the team's strong synergy.
The Jaguars' offense dominated the first half, with three out of their four touchdowns being scored within a span of 12 minutes and 41 seconds in the second quarter. During this time, the team heavily relied on their defense, capitalizing on turnovers to secure their position.
Etienne's contributions were vital during this crucial stretch. He capped off a 75-yard drive with a powerful two-yard run and then extended the Jaguars' lead to 14-3 with a remarkable 22-yard run immediately following a sack/fumble on Colts quarterback Gardner Minshew.
On the play, Etienne positioned himself directly behind the center, while quarterback Trevor Lawrence stood wide left. With a well-executed fake handoff to running back Tank Bigsby, Etienne swiftly changed direction, leaving only one defender to touch him before reaching the end zone.
"I already knew it was getting called," Etienne revealed. "It's a nice red-zone play. We had run it in practice, and the defense gave me a nice, good look."
Etienne emphasized that while the defense may suspect something with Lawrence positioned wide, they still had to respect his presence on the field. The threat of a pass to Lawrence created misdirection, allowing Etienne to exploit the space created by the offensive linemen.
"It was a good misdirection, me just potentially faking the handoff to Tank," Etienne explained. "I can give it, so they've got to respect him also. Just giving me space with the offensive linemen in front of me, I like the odds."
Etienne's exceptional performance not only showcased his skills but also highlighted his potential as a key player for the Jaguars. As the team continues to excel, Etienne's impact on the field becomes increasingly evident.
