Michael DiRocco, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

No Ahmad Bradshaw makes things easier for Jags defense

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Indianapolis Colts top the NFL in total offense and passing and are third in scoring. They’ve mainly ridden the arm of quarterback Andrew Luck, who leads the NFL in passing yards and is tied for second in passing touchdowns.

Running back Ahmad Bradshaw has been a significant contributor, though. He is the Colts' leading rusher and has been an effective receiver out of the backfield. Not having him will certainly impact the offense -- and theoretically make things easier for the Jacksonville Jaguars' defense.

"Bradshaw is a very good third-down back and he's a very good running back, too," Jaguars defensive coordinator Bob Babich said. "I think he was the third-leading receiver and he had a bunch of touchdowns. I think that they will miss that loss, obviously."

Bradshaw has rushed for 425 yards and two touchdowns and averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He has caught 38 passes for 300 yards and six touchdowns.

Trent Richardson has not exactly flourished since the Colts acquired him in a trade with Cleveland before Week 3 of the 2013 season. He has rushed for 849 yards and five touchdowns on 271 carries in 24 games, which works out to just 35.4 yards per game. He is averaging just 3.1 yards per carry in those games as well.

One of his better games this season came against the Jaguars, however. He ran for 57 yards on 14 carries in the Colts’ 44-17 victory in Week 3. Bradshaw had 65 yards on nine carries and the Colts ran for 144 yards.

It should be an easier task for the Jaguars to deal with Richardson and Dan Herron, a second-year back who has run for 74 yards on 22 carries this season.

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