Jaguars vs. Colts Preview
The Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12) will face the Indianapolis Colts (7-9) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, in a game that will be broadcast on Fox. According to BetMGM’s NFL odds, the Colts are favored by five points. Against the spread, the Jaguars have an 8-7-1 record while the Colts sit at 9-7. Historically, the Colts lead the series 27-20, though the most recent encounter saw the Jaguars winning 37-34 on October 6, 2024. In their last outings, the Jaguars secured a victory over the Titans, finishing 20-13, while the Colts faced a loss against the Giants, ending 45-33.
On offense, the Jaguars have struggled this season, ranking overall at 26th, while their rushing game is also placed 26th and their passing game at 23rd. The team is tied for 25th in scoring. Defensively, the Jaguars rank 31st overall, with their rush defense at 23rd and pass defense at 32nd, placing them 28th in scoring defense. In contrast, the Colts’ offense ranks 15th overall, with their rushing attack ranked 8th, though their passing game falls to 26th, scoring a tie for 16th. Defensively, the Colts sit at 29th overall, 26th against the run, and also 26th against the pass, with their scoring defense at 27th. The Jaguars have a turnover differential of minus-14, while the Colts are at minus-5.
A standout player for the Jaguars to keep an eye on is DE Travon Walker, who requires just a half-sack to join Calais Campbell as the second Jacksonville player to achieve double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons. However, he will be without Josh Hines-Allen, who is absent due to personal reasons. On the Colts’ side, RB Jonathan Taylor is a key player, having rushed for an impressive 450 yards and five touchdowns over the past three weeks. He is aiming for his fourth consecutive 100-yard game, which would equal his personal best. Even if QB Anthony Richardson returns from back spasms, the team might opt to minimize his risk given the injury concerns.
A crucial matchup to watch is between Colts CB Kenny Moore and Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas has been exceptional this season, approaching the eighth-highest total receiving yards (1,179) for a rookie in the Super Bowl era, just 39 yards behind Giants WR Malik Nabers as they head into the final game. However, he will have to contend with Moore, recognized as one of the premier nickel cornerbacks in the league.
Injury updates indicate that the Jaguars will be missing left tackle Walker Little due to an ankle injury for the second week running, so Cole Van Lanen is set to step up in his place. Additionally, LB Ventrell Miller (ankle) and S Darnell Savage (concussion) may also be out again. For the Colts, the significant concern revolves around Richardson, who missed practice on Wednesday. Nevertheless, it looks promising for starting CB JuJu Brents, who may return from the injured reserve list this week.
Regarding the series history, the Jaguars have recently dominated, winning three consecutive matchups and five out of their last six encounters. Notably, Jacksonville’s win in the 2022 season finale not only marked their third win of that season but also eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. The Jaguars are vying for a second straight season sweep against the Colts, aiming to achieve this for only the fourth time since these teams became rivals in the AFC South back in 2002. However, the Colts maintain a solid record of 17-6 at home, with only one loss in their last six games played at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Statistically, the Jaguars have had a rough stretch, losing 17 out of their last 22 games, with three victories against division rivals Tennessee and Indianapolis. There’s speculation that this may be the last game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke, who hold a collective record of 23-29 over three seasons, including 11-6 against AFC South opponents. Owner Shad Khan has yet to disclose his intentions regarding their futures, hinting at a possible rift after he chose not to engage with the winning locker room last week. Meanwhile, Thomas Jr. needs just 21 receiving yards to become the seventh rookie in NFL history to reach 1,200, while Travis Etienne is on the verge of passing Leonard Fournette’s franchise record for most receptions by a running back.
Finally, for fantasy players, selecting Taylor against a Jaguars defense that has struggled against the run could prove to be a wise decision. This matchup presents various intriguing storylines and statistics as these two teams close out their seasons in a clash of rivals.
