Jaguars return home to TIAA Bank Field, look to get first win of season vs. Indianapolis Colts

“You’ve heard the phrase, ‘You should hate losing more than you like to win,’ especially when it’s self-inflicted."

Those are the words of Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson when he addressed the media Wednesday, following the team's Week 1 loss against the Washington Commanders.

The way Jacksonville lost last week wasn't anything short of gut-wrenching for the players and staff, especially knowing they let it slip away — self-inflicted.

The Jaguars (0-1) have put their demons to rest from last week, moving on to this week's opponent, the Indianapolis Colts (0-0-1), a matchup that has seen Jacksonville come out victorious in Jacksonville (or London) since 2015, at least at home.

“They were able to take last week and make the corrections and put that to rest and focus on another set of circumstances, another game plan," said Pederson.

"Coming out Wednesday and understanding the base game plan on Wednesday, and yesterday was a good practice. It’s just a matter of stacking days and being consistent, improving, and showing that improvement amongst the guys. You just keep building, and each week, you get a little bit better as a team.”

More from the Jaguars: 

• Colts at Jaguars: Everything you need to know about Week 2 showdown

• 'See something, say something': Jaguars notes & quotes ahead of matchup with Colts

• Week 2 staff predictions: Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars

Jaguars ready to cash in at 'The Bank'

TIAA Bank Field, known colloquially as "The Bank," will be filled with fans excited for the regular season and for the new-look Jaguars to showcase what they can do in front of the home crowd.

For a newcomer, receiver Christian Kirk, playing at home, in the regular season, is something he's been looking forward to.

"Excited," Kirk told the Times-Union on Friday when asked about playing at home this week. "Every opportunity we get to play in front of our fans at home, we take pride in that. That's one of our goals, one of our commandments here is, 'win every game at home.'

"So, the level of intensity and the energy, it's definitely raised a little bit. But for us, we got to be poised. Especially this Sunday going against a disciplined defense. We got to make sure we're on it and we're not, I guess, too juiced up with that energy. But, we're definitely excited to get back in front of the fans and hopefully get our first win."

For rookie linebacker Devin Lloyd, it will be the first opportunity to perform in front of the home crowd after missing the team's home preseason games in August.

On Friday, Lloyd told the Times-Union that he couldn't wait to feel the energy from the fans.

"All football environments, I love and enjoy, but especially being at home too," said Lloyd. "Whenever they're actually on your side and fans are cheering for you. You know, it's just that extra boost of ... just exhilaration really just out and trying to play your best for the guys watching, all the people watching."

Rookies will be in spotlight yet again

The Jaguars went heavy on defense in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft in hopes of becoming dominant against teams like the Colts this season. Indy is a significant threat on the ground with Jonathan Taylor at running back. Last week, Taylor ran for 161 yards and a touchdown on 31 carries.

Pederson was asked about the team's efforts this spring, bringing in players to stop a team like the Colts, a divisional foe.

"We’ve got some great running backs in this division, and obviously, stopping the run is imperative," said Pederson. "It’s a key to winning football games in the AFC South, so it was a focal point in the spring, through free agency, and the draft to try to put some pieces in place to help slow down the run.”

In the draft, the Jaguars selected both outside linebacker Travon Walker (No. 1 overall) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (No. 27 overall) to help the team get better in the middle of the season.

Against the Commanders last week, both players got the start and played a significant number of downs, with Lloyd leading the team in tackles with 11 combined on the day. Walker led the way with a sack and an interception. The latter set the team up for a touchdown to give momentum back to Jacksonville.

"He is a competitor, and he wants to help the team win," Jaguars defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell said earlier this week when asked about Walker. "The sack, the interception, those are plays that help us win, and he wants to make those, and he’ll continue to do that.”

As for Lloyd, Caldwell was pleased with how the rookie performed, but understands that it was his first full game in the NFL, and there's plenty of room to grow.

“He started off — I was excited to see him out there — and he started off, had some great moments and had a couple that he can learn from. I think, again, he was excited," Caldwell said of Lloyd. "He was really trying to make every play. He’ll settle down, and the plays will come to him, and he’ll continue to do it.”

Jacksonville will be depending on both players to get the job done this week.

Colts will come in motivated

There's no question that the Colts will come into Sunday's game with a chip on their shoulder. The team was one win away from the playoffs last year before the opportunity slipped through their fingers with a Week 18 loss to Jacksonville.

The loss forced the Colts' hand, opting to move on from now-Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz, turning to seasoned veteran Matt Ryan.

Even with a new QB, the leaders in Indy remain, and Jonathan Taylor hasn't forgotten about the missed opportunity from a season ago, telling the Colts' local media this week that last season's final loss motivated him "a ton," heading into this year.

“Especially when you kind of had that opportunity to earn a right to play for a chance to be in the big dance and it falls away like that," said during his press conference this week. "Now you just have to figure out what I can do — No. 1, we just got to get into the dance first. What can I do better to give this team the best chance to help get into the dance, to earn that right?”

To Pederson, both teams will be motivated, or at least they should be as the Jaguars get set for its home opener.

“I think it’s important for both teams," Pederson said Friday. "A home game for us, division opponent. We understand what the Colts might be doing, but at the same time, we’ve got to have the same intensity. We’ve got to match that intensity, and our guys are eager to get out on the field. It should be a great football game."

Jaguars injury free, Colts not so much

The Jaguars are entering Sunday's matchup with the Colts injury-free, at least according to the team's Friday game-status report. Jacksonville carried no players on the team's injury report all week, a rarity in the tough game of football, especially at the highest level.

The Colts, however, enter Sunday with a couple of players that won't be playing due to injuries. Perhaps the team's best player, linebacker Shaquille Leonard, practiced in full all week but was ruled "out" for Sunday, working his way back from offseason back surgery.

Meanwhile, Indy will be without rookie receiver Alec Pierce, who was ruled out of the game due to a concussion.

Two notable players, defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and receiver Michael Pittman Jr. are listed as questionable, but it is currently expected that Buckner will play on Sunday, having practiced in "full" on Friday (Indy didn't officially host a practice on Friday).

Pittman's status will be one to watch on gameday.

Quick note: Connection between Lawrence, Kirk building

Though there were plenty of negatives to come out of last week's loss against the Commanders, one of the positives that came out of the game was the apparent connection between Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Kirk, signed to the team in March.

Kirk was targetted 12 times, catching six passes for 117 yards. On Sunday, Kirk will have an opportunity to yet again build on his connection with Lawrence, but he understands that a win is a primary objective.

"I think it's a good building block," Kirk said when asked about his Jaguars debut with Lawrence. It's a good place to start off on. We're our harshest critics. So, for us, it's great statistically but there's a lot that was left out there."

"Us as competitors, we always focus on what was left out there. And I think it's good to have that mentality. I know Trevor's the same way. So we work every day to make sure that we're damn near perfect because that's what we strive for."

Sunday's Game 

Jaguars vs. Colts

Time: 1 p.m.

Where:  TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, Fla.

TV: CBS

Radio: 1010XL, 92.5 FM

Demetrius Harvey is the Jacksonville Jaguars reporter for the Florida Times-Union. You can follow him on Twitter at @Demetrius82.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Previewing the Jaguars' matchup against Indianapolis Colts on Sunday