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JACKSONVILLE -- No one in the NFL level ever embraces a moral victory.

But as good as the Jaguars’ season has been, their talent simply doesn’t yet match up against the Colts'.

A win Thursday night would have qualified as quite an upset. An exciting, narrow, 35-31 loss is one they shouldn’t kick themselves about for very long.

I asked Torry Holt if the Jags could view it as a building block.

“It’s good for this football team as young as we are to come out and compete with those guys,” he said.” They’ve been dominating all year and we’ve kind of been up and down. To come out on national TV and play the way we played on national TV I think should be exciting for this team as we move forward.

“These guys played their tails off. Again, just like we did in Week 1 against these guys, we had an opportunity on the last drive to drive, to win the ball game, and didn’t execute. But it’s good to see this football team battle with the Indianapolis Colts the way we did.”

The team announced 63,753 tickets were distributed for the game, 14,739 more than for any of the previous seven Jaguars' home games.

Asked about the potential for any consolation in front of the big crowd, David Garrard found some.

“I think it’s something for the fans to say, ‘We need to come out and support this team more because these guys are playing their butts off,’” he said. “It may not have worked out for us tonight, but you can see we can give you a great show.

“We don’t like to have moral victories. We definitely want our fans to be able to smile when they come out to see us play.”

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- For three games, he’d dissolved into the background, an unnatural place for a playmaker of his ability.

Reggie Wayne knew his presence still dictated coverages, that a slice of what Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon and even Dallas Clark were doing was on his account. Colts quarterback Peyton Manning repeatedly said so as Wayne didn’t catch more than four balls, didn’t break a play longer than 23 yards and didn't have more than 48 yards receiving in a game.

On Thursday night against the Jaguars, he knew something else too -- he could find room down the sideline.

“Throughout the game they were kind of playing off and looking inside, looking at the quarterback,” Wayne said. “I just felt like there was a play somewhere in the game where I could just run by them if we could just control the safety with a route.”

When it arrived, Wayne ran past Derek Cox, saw Reggie Nelson occupied for a second by Collie and ran under a perfectly placed Manning pass for a 65-yard touchdown that provided the winning points with 5 minutes and 23 seconds left in a 35-31 win. In the unbeaten Colts’ 14th win of the season and 23rd in a row in the regular season, Wayne finished with five catches on seven balls aimed his direction for 132 yards and the score.

In front of their lone sellout of the season and in their first nationally televised game, the Jaguars (7-7) bucked an offensive trend with excellent red-zone production on offense. But the Jaguars needed to make sure they didn’t get burned with big plays, and they’d used up their allotment of one when Chad Simpson returned a kickoff 93 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter.

Cox, the rookie who’s a definite building block, and Nelson, the 2007 first-rounder who’s become largely unreliable, combined to allow for Wayne’s game-breaker. Cox didn’t try to knock Wayne off his route or his rhythm and couldn’t catch up to him as he ran by; Nelson’s angle was too sharp and his pursuit was fruitless.

“Manning just went to his playmaker, and he was in position to make a play,” Cox said. “We just didn’t execute properly... We wanted to eliminate the big play, any explosives. If you make them drive the length of the field, maybe the defense will hold up, maybe we’ll get an interception, cause a fumble.”

Long appreciated as a No. 1-caliber receiver, Wayne was on the same team as an all-time great until Marvin Harrison and the Colts divorced during the offseason.

At Jacksonville Municipal Stadium, his yards put him past legendary Baltimore Colts receiver Raymond Berry into second place on the franchise’s all-time receiving list with 9,339 yards.

It wins him the respect of his coach, his competition and his colleagues.

Jim Caldwell saluted him for passing Berry while Torry Holt, Manning and Collie also lavished praise.

“I have a tremendous amount of respect for Reggie Wayne and the way that he operates,” said Holt, the veteran the Jaguars brought in to help lead a young group. “I like the way he remains patient. Tonight he remained patient, he stayed in his routes, and Peyton was able to hit him with that long one. It’s just a tremendous amount of maturity on Reggie’s part, understanding how the game develops. He and Peyton there, it was something they saw that enabled him to get open.”

“His presence just dictates so much of what a defense is going to do, the way they defend us," said Manning, who passed for 308 yards and four TDs. "He wants to win. Like all great receivers, he wants the ball because he feels like that’s going to help our chances of winning, and he’s exactly right.”

Said Collie: “You look at tape and you can tell they know who the guy is, who the playmaker is. He’s done a great job of helping us out. …You’ve got to put your attention on that person, and between him and Dallas Clark, I think it does open up some stuff for me.”

Take away the biggie and Wayne would have had four catches for 67 yards, numbers I am sure the Jaguars would have been thrilled with.

Instead, Cox and Nelson will be answering in a film session for how it unfolded. And the Jaguars will wonder how a team that had a grip on the AFC’s final playoff berth goes about attempting to regain that hold.

The Colts are facing another, stronger round of questions about whether they will rest or play starters in their final two games against the Jets and Bills. If they pull key people early in those two, Wayne could be among the first to get the rest, again creating opportunity for Collie and Garcon. If that’s the case, it’ll hardly be like Week 14 in a home win over Denver, when he was barely a statistical factor in a game in which Brandon Marshall caught an NFL-record 21 passes.

Wayne joked after that he would have enjoyed just a couple of those receptions. Although there hadn't been huge production from Wayne recently, don't be fooled. He was being unselfish but still getting important results.

“It would be easy for him to be upset or pout, but he doesn’t,”’ Collie said. “And when a play is needed in crunch time, he’s the one who makes it. He’s done a wonderful job setting an example for us young guys as far as what a receiver should be.”

JACKSONVILLE -- The Jaguars rewarded their first sellout crowd of the season with a thriller, but ultimately couldn’t quite measure up to the Colts.

Indianapolis moved to 14-0 with the sort of late-game precision that’s expected from Peyton Manning. Their 35-31 win ranks among the year’s very best games.

With the free-flowing matchup slowed and turning defensive, Reggie Wayne ran past rookie corner Derek Cox and safety Reggie Nelson to score on a 65-yard pass late in the game.

Wayne's TD was the game’s ninth lead change and put the Colts ahead for good with 5:23 remaining in the game.

The Jaguars had two more possessions to take the game back.

The first was undone by an illegal formation penalty, a missed open receiver, and a sack.

The second started 61 yards from the end zone with 2:06 left and ended when Jacob Lacey picked off David Garrard's throw that sailed over Mike Thomas with 57 seconds on the clock.

And so the Colts grew their record regular season winning streak to 23, kept alive the possibility they will go 16-0, and dealt an AFC South rival a loss that means it no longer controls its own playoff fate.

JACKSONVILLE -- David Garrard’s third-down, 16-yard touchdown connection with Mike Sims-Walker put the Jaguars ahead 24-21 in the third quarter.

The Jaguars took possession after Rashean Mathis tipped a Peyton Manning pass that Daryl Smith picked. Dallas Clark should have caught it.

Jacksonville’s touchdown was the first by a Colts’ opponent following an Indianapolis turnover this year -- that covered 18 giveaways before this one.

Indy defenders took great pride in that, but it had to break at some point, no?

JACKSONVILLE -- Some thoughts at the half of a highly entertaining, back-and-forth Colts-Jaguars game that stands Indy 21, Jacksonville 17:

• Not Gary Brackett’s best half. He missed what should have been a fumble recovery that the Jaguars got back. Maurice Jones-Drew also ran him over on a touchdown.
• Chad Simpson got the Colts’ first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2004 against a team whose special teams coach, Russ Purnell, was a longtime Tony Dungy assistant and who Jim Caldwell let go.
• David Garrard made several good plays but he’s overthrown three open receivers -- Torry Holt, Marcedes Lewis and Holt again -- on potential big plays. The Lewis play was at the goal line and should have been picked by Kelvin Hayden.
• Dallas Clark’s great one-handed touchdown catch in Baltimore came with the assist of his helmet. His TD catch tonight, where he bobbled the ball on his back in the end zone, also got a helmet assist. This one may have been facemask.
• Jaguars rookie corner William Middleton tasted both sides of life -- he nailed Austin Collie for a loss, then got beat for a touchdown on consecutive plays.
• Matt Stover is at 2,001 career points after three PATs. He’s the fifth player in NFL history to get 2,000.
• Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis have played very sparingly, only in major pass rush situations.

JACKSONVILLE -- The Colts return game is the one answer available when people ask for a weakness.

At least until Chad Simpson just took 13 seconds for a 93-yard touchdown return that put Indy ahead 14-10. It came right after the Jaguars had driven for a go-ahead David Garrard-to-Maurice Jones Drew 9-yard touchdown pass.

The NFL Network quickly told us it was the Colts’ first return for a touchdown since 2004, when Dominic Rhodes did it against San Diego.

When the Colts get a huge play like that, the successful clock-milking of their opponent becomes irrelevant in a hurry.

JACKSONVILLE -- Nice opening drive for the Jags. Several of those, however, won’t be enough to win the game.

They got three nice third-down conversion catches from Mike Sims-Walker. But on a third-and-one, were they being too cute asking David Garrard to throw it instead of sticking with Maurice Jones-Drew?

Eric Foster popped Garrard and he fumbled. Gary Brackett should have recovered but missed and Vince Manuwai got it.

That translated to a 50-yard field goal. Jacksonville swallowed 7:33 of clock, but came up four points short of the needed result.

JACKSONVILLE -- The Colts starting defensive ends are active and in the starting lineup. How much dinged up Dwight Freeney (abdomen) and Robert Mathis (quad) play against the Jaguars remains to be seen.

I expect Raheem Brock and Keyunta Dawson will get a lot of early-down action. That would be a smart way to scale back work for their stars, who would benefit from less contact with Maurice Jones-Drew.

Only three inactive Colts were left to be determined after the team declared the status of its injured players on Tuesday. Because five guys were already declared out, there could be guys eligible or dressed tonight who hardly play -- that will be one of the story lines we’ll try to follow for you after kickoff.

For the Jaguars, Russell Allen will start at outside linebacker for Clint Ingram (shoulder) and Attiyah Ellison will move ahead of Quentin Groves for the start at defensive end. As expected, Montell Owens is the starting fullback with Greg Jones (ankle) placed on injured-reserve.

Here’s the full list for both teams.

Colts:

• Offensive tackle Michael Toudouze
• Tight end Tom Santi
• Defensive end Ervin Baldwin
• Cornerback Jerraud Powers
• Running back Donald Brown
• Receiver Anthony Gonzalez
• Kicker Adam Vinatieri
• Defensive back Aaron Francisco

Jaguars:

• Outside linebacker Clint Ingram
• Receiver Tiquan Underwood
• Safety Courtney Greene
• Defensive end James Wyche
• Offensive tackle Tra Thomas
• Offensive lineman Paul McQuistan
• Defensive end Julius Williams
• Defensive tackle Greg Peterson

The Jaguars have a sellout, so Thursday night north Florida will be able to see a home game for the first time this season. Please hold any NFL Network availability cracks -- it’ll be broadcast by the local Fox affiliate, too.

So here is the big moment for Jack Del Rio’s team, overachievers who have been outscored by 52 points this season but have scrapped, survived inconsistency and positioned themselves at 7-6 to be the AFC’s sixth playoff team.

To maintain that status, the Jaguars must do something no other team has done this season: beat the Colts. A young Jaguars team came close on opening day at Lucas Oil Stadium, dropping a 14-12 decision. Now we get to see how much better the Jaguars measure up against a team they want to emulate.

“Our goal is certainly to become what they are," first-year general manager Gene Smith told me last week. “That’s what we’re striving for.”

A year ago in a Thursday night game in Jacksonville, Peyton Manning clinched his third MVP award.

The Jaguars have struggled to pressure the passer most of the season and hardly have a loaded secondary. As in all games against the Colts, Jacksonville's methods for slowing the quarterback will be a major theme.

Here are half a dozen other things I’ll be watching for or conscious of at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium:

Who benefits from the short preparation week?

Given less time to prepare, I lean in favor of the team with more weapons all the time. The Colts are stacked in that category. I’d rank Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, Joseph Addai and Pierre Garcon as playmakers who belong in the “dangerous” or “extra dangerous” category. I’m not sure, even if Rashean Mathis is back from his groin injury, the Jaguars have enough quality defensive backs to slow those weapons.

The Jaguars, meanwhile, have only two players who fit the category based on resume and production: Maurice Jones-Drew and Mike Sims-Walker.

The team that has more to figure out how to defend is at a disadvantage in a short week. I also think the Jaguars were involved in a more physical game in last Sunday’s loss to Miami than the Colts were in a win over Denver.

How much do the Colts rest?

The company line is they’ll play like usual with some exceptions for guys who are injured. Cornerback Jerraud Powers was on the early list of players who are out, and defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis didn’t practice this week and are questionable. Take the two pass-rushers and a key coverage guy out of the mix and the Colts are hardly the same defense. But Raheem Brock can be productive as an edge rusher and Keyunta Dawson would be in line for his most playing time.

Rookie tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, terrorized in Week 1 by Freeney and Mathis, will be pleased. If they can offer better protection and give David Garrard some time to make good decisions, the Jaguars have a much improved chance.

Fourth-down action

Before going for it on fourth down came into such vogue this year, Del Rio was already aggressive with it. This season the Jaguars have converted half of their 16 tries.

The Colts have been a very good fourth-down defense this season, especially recently. We all remember the Patriots' failed fourth-down attempt deep in their own territory when trying to preserve a late lead back on Nov. 15.

According to ESPN Stats & Information ace Marty Callinan, Indy has allowed just one fourth-down conversion in 11 attempts over its last nine games.

Houston converted a fourth-and-1 in Week 9. Since then, it’s five consecutive games for Indy without allowing one. In the last two games, the Titans and Broncos each tried unsuccessfully three times.

Overall, the Colts' fourth-down defense has held offenses to a 29.4 percent conversion rate.

If it comes down to a kicker…

Josh Scobee's just 16-of-24 on field goals this year for the Jaguars. His big leg would figure to be the best thing going for him, but he’s only 5-of-12 from 40 yards or longer this season. Jacksonville needs him to hit everything he’s asked to try in this one.

The Colts know they aren’t going to get great distance out of Matt Stover, who’s in his 20th year. He’s hit two of three tries over 40 yards in seven games. Get him inside of 40 and he’s the guy in this game I’d rather take my chances with.

Does MJD miss Greg Jones?

The Jaguars love their fullback, but Jones is out of this game with an ankle injury. That means special-teams ace Montell Owens or Brock Bolen, just signed off the practice squad, will be leading the way for Jacksonville’s best weapon. In seven games against Indy, Jones-Drew has an average of 6 yards a carry, five games of at least 91 rushing yards and six touchdowns.

His eight total touchdowns -- six rushing, one receiving and one as a returner -- are the most against the Colts by any individual since 2006.

Minimal flags

The Jaguars are the league’s least penalized team (62), and the Colts are tied for second (63).

Let’s hope we didn’t just jinx that and assure ourselves of a sloppier, slower game.

Houston Texans

Donnie Avery gets to play in a game against his favorite player, Andre Johnson, says John McClain.

Bryan Pittman’s return could help Kris Brown, says John McClain.

David Barron looks back at the Shamrock Bowl.

Five key matchups in Rams-Texans from Battle Red Blog.

Gary Kubiak is in critical condition, says Clark Judge as he assesses coaches in trouble.

Indianapolis Colts

Individual goals remain for the Colts, says Mike Chappell.

Should they go for 16-0? More from Chappell.

We’ll all find out who plays and how much together, writes Bob Kravitz.

Handicapping the MVP race with Alex Marvez.

Bob Lamey calls games with passion, says Curt Cavin.

Eyes will be on Maurice Jones-Drew, says Phillip B. Wilson.

Considering playoff possibilities in the AFC, with Wilson.

John Oehser’s game preview.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars hope Thursday night is the beginning of the end of their ticket woes, says Gene Frenette.

It’s a prime-time challenge for Jacksonville, says Vito Stellino.

Young talent could get Jacksonville some notice, says Pete Prisco.

Greg Jones is going on injured reserve, reports Michael C, Wright.

The Fox affiliate got the simulcast of the NFL Network broadcast by being the highest bidder, says Jeff Elliott.

John Henderson and Mike Sims-Walker are expected to play and Rashean Mathis is doing better, says Wright.

The Jags will enjoy a break after a quick turnaround, writes Wright.

Thursday’s mailbag from Vic Ketchman.

Breaking down the Jaguars offensive line with Jonathan Loesche.

Tennessee Titans

Chris Johnson mic’d up.

Vince Young is likely to play, says Jim Wyatt.

Johnson says Ted Ginn backed out of a race, say Wyatt and Gary Estwick.

Nate Washington on hamstring injuries, from Wyatt.

Who the Titans need to win, from Music City Miracles.

Both Peyton Manning and Jim Caldwell did good work on their conference calls with Jacksonville reporters, saying little but surely being very pleasant while doing so.

Here’s an example of how some media stuff in preparation week works.

The quarterback and the coach both fielded versions of the same question, both did well to say nothing that could be construed in any way as controversial (or interesting, for that matter), yet answered in opposite ways.

Have the Jaguars changed much since that Week 1 meeting, Manning was asked.

Manning: “It’s hard to say because in Game 1, you probably don’t get to see the entire plan. So anytime you go from playing a new defensive coordinator in Week 1, you probably don’t get to know everything about him. So it’s still going to be a lot of newness, for us, and a lot of film to study in a short week and we just got to get ready for what we see on film and even to adjust to something new.”

Do you think the Jaguars have changed quite a bit from that game to now, Caldwell was asked.

Caldwell: “Looking at the film they have a few tweaks here and there and certainly from a schematic standpoint they’re doing a lot of the same things. I think they’ve gone through I think what we all go through in terms of the season as we make little adjustments here and there, but for the most part it’s the same, tough, hard-nosed team.”

So Manning expects a lot of newness while Caldwell thinks for the most part the Jaguars are the same as they were on Sept. 13.

It makes me even more eager for kickoff -- as questions and answers about what happened are invariably better, at least by a small degree, to ones about what will happen.

The one thing that will affect the Colts' lineup Thursday night in Jacksonville, in their first game since sealing up home-field advantage throughout the playoffs, is health.

Tuesday’s injury report gives us 10 players who did not participate and could qualify for a night off.

• Antoine Bethea (foot)
• Donald Brown (chest)
• Eric Foster (back)
• Aaron Francisco (ankle)
• Dwight Freeney (abdomen)
• Anthony Gonzalez (knee)
• Charlie Johnson (foot)
• Robert Mathis (quad)
• Jerraud Powers (hamstring)
• Adam Vinatieri (knee)

Depth-wise, defensive end is the big question here. If Freeney and Mathis are both out, Raheem Brock (back) and Keyunta Dawson (knee) would be in line for a lot of action. They both were full participants in practice despite their injuries.

For the Jaguars, Greg Jones (ankle) was out while Clint Ingram (shoulder) and Rashean Mathis (groin) were limited.

Earlier I'd said Mike Sims-Walker was out, but that was a mistake. He was a full participant. Apologies.