Playing without star quarterback Andrew Luck, the Indianapolis Colts are having to find other ways to win. Sunday, against the Atlanta Falcons, a heads-up play by linebacker D'Qwell Jackson helped spark the team's 24-21 comeback victory.
With the Colts trailing 21-14 in the fourth-quarter, Jackson picked off Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan and returned the ball six yards for the game-time score. The Colts, who were down by 14 at two different points in the game, never trailed after that.
Jackson bit on a play fake from Ryan, but dropped back into coverage in time to make the interception.
“I had good vision. I stopped my drop when (Ryan) stopped his,” Jackson said, per the Indianapolis Star. “I was surprised that he threw it to me, but I don’t think he saw me.”
The 10-year-veteran followed up his pick-six with a sack later in the quarter. The NFL's leading tackler, Jackson finished the game with seven tackles to go along with the sack and the interception.
The Colts have won two straight as they try to stay atop the AFC South without Luck. The quarterback is expected to miss up to six weeks with a lacerated kidney. Indianapolis enters Week 12 tied for the division lead with the Houston Texans at 5-5.
“Around this time, teams get hot,” Jackson said. “And right now, we’re finding a way to win. That’s the beauty of this team right now. We don’t win in one particular way. We find ways to win.
