NFL Predictions: Colts vs. Jaguars Preview

Written by Jake Thompson
Friday, 30 December 2011 17:44

Predictions are ready for Sunday’s NFL game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts.

The Indianapolis Colts (2-13) are playing better football lately, but a win over the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11) on Sunday will likely cost them the top pick in the NFL Draft.  We’ll preview what both teams are likely to do in this clash before making predictions on the final score in the Colts vs. Jaguars game.  Make sure to get your bets in before the 1:00 PM ET start time rolls around on Sunday.

Indianapolis and Jacksonville meet up at least twice every season, and the Jaguars were 17-3 winners on the road as 3-point favorites earlier this year.  These AFC South rivals have seen the total go over in 6 of the last 8 head-to-head meetings, while the Jaguars have covered the point spread in 3 of the last 5 despite winning outright only twice.  Legends Sportsbook has the NFL odds favoring the home-team Jaguars at -3.5 and a total of 37.5.

Colts’ Offense vs. Jaguars’ Defense:

Indianapolis as put together a decent enough rushing attack this month, but their defense has been so bad that they’ve had to rely on their below-average passing plays far too often.  The Colts have won 2 games in a row because their defense has done well, but part of that “rejuvenation” has to do with the fact that they’ve been facing some teams that can’t pass well.  Jacksonville’s defense has been solid but unspectacular this season, but they’ve done well against one-dimensional offenses like Indianapolis.  Quarterback Dan Orlovsky has given the Colts a veteran presence in the pocket, but his ceiling is capped fairly low.

Jaguars’ Offense vs. Colts’ Defense:

Jacksonville has been the worst passing team in the NFL this season and they simply haven’t been able to properly complement a good rushing attack.  Defenses are able to pin their ears back to stop Maurice Jones-Drew, and the Jaguars are averaging just 14.9 points per game.  The Colts have shown very little defense lately but they match up pretty nicely against Jacksonville.  Suddenly getting a passing game going is a bit too much to ask of the Jaguars at this point of the season.

Colts vs. Jaguars Predictions:

Although Orlovsky has performed well during the Colts’ 2-game winning streak, I still have my questions about how he’ll perform here.  Both of those wins came at home and I doubt the veteran has the composure to put up another good one on the road in Jacksonville.  The Jaguars should be able to get a narrow win but I don’t see any value in the point spread odds.  Instead my predictions will be on the game going under the total as the Colts and Jaguars struggle to move the ball.  Punts and avoiding turnovers will tell the tale on Sunday, and a low-scoring game is likely.

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Colts 13

Jaguars 17