They say takeaways come in bunches.
That certainly held true on Thursday night for the Colts’ defense, which, after creating three takeaways in its first eight games — and none since Week Five — doubled that total in a 27-10 victory over the Jaguars.
Backup CB Darius Butler, pressed into action with starters Vontae Davis (knee) and Jerraud Powers (foot) inactive, picked off a pair of passes — including a pick-six of QB Blaine Gabbert early in the second half — and recovered a Laurent Robinson fumble, forced by nickel LB Moise Fokou.
A lack of impactful plays on defense was the biggest knock on the Colts coming into the game. The fact that they finally erupted despite having so many key defenders missing — Indianapolis was also without its best pass rusher, Robert Mathis — is a very encouraging sign for the AFC’s leading wild-card team.
Another reason to be encouraged by these upstart Colts is that, coming off a convincing road win on “Thursday Night Football,” their best showing away from Lucas Oil Stadium this season, they will have 10 days to get healthy before a trip to Foxborough, where it’s safe to say they will need all hands on deck to knock off the Patriots and improve to 7-3.