The Jacksonville Jaguars ended the Indianapolis Colts‘ playoff hopes in Week 18 of the 2021 season, and while the stakes aren’t quite as high this time around, divisional games are always critical.
Can Matt Ryan do a better job for Indy than Carson Wentz did in last year’s conclusive contest? Here’s our breakdown of the Colts vs. Jaguars matchup, the key injuries, and predictions from our NFL staff.
Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars preview
The Colts had to rally for 17 fourth-quarter points just to get to overtime against the Texans in Week 1. That alone meant Indianapolis hadn’t met expectations in the opening game of the year, and the subsequent tie only led to more disappointment.
Overall, Ryan and the offense played well against Houston. They’re the better team than Jacksonville entering Week 2, but injuries could play a factor. Ryan’s top two receivers, Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, are out, so the Colts will have to rely on the likes of Parris Campbell and Ashton Dulin. Indy’s offense goes as Jonathan Taylor goes, but they could be in trouble as they dip further into their wide receiver depth chart.
[bet-promo id=”174860″ ]
Jacksonville played a back-and-forth game in Week 1, too. The Jaguars scored 12 unanswered points to open the second half and take a 15-14 lead, but they gave up two Carson Wentz touchdowns in the fourth quarter and ultimately lost, 28-22.
Second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence had a chance to earn Doug Pederson his first win as Jacksonville’s head coach, but the 2021 No. 1 overall pick was picked off with 1:10 left. The star of the day was running back James Robinson, who totaled 69 yards and two touchdowns in his first game back from a torn Achilles.
Colts vs. Jaguars prediction
Betting line (courtesy of Caesars)
Colts -3; Colts -165, Jaguars +240; O/U 45
Adam Beasley’s prediction
8-8-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Colts 35, Jaguars 20
Dalton Miller’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 8-9 against the spread in 2022
Colts 26, Jaguars 20
Dallas Robinson’s prediction
9-7-1 straight-up, 6-11 against the spread in 2022
Colts 27, Jaguars 14
How to watch Colts vs. Jaguars
- Date/Time
Sunday, Sept. 18, 1 p.m. ET - Channel
CBS - Live stream
CBS All-Access, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
Colts vs. Jaguars matchup and stats
The Colts and Jaguars have faced each other 42 times since Jacksonville received an NFL franchise in 1995. The matchups haven’t been particularly close, as Indy holds a 26-16 edge.
The Jaguars won the last meeting, knocking the Colts out of the playoffs with a shocking 26-11 win in Week 18 of last year. Wentz collapsed, throwing for just 185 yards and an interception while taking six sacks — and Colts owner Jim Irsay won’t let anyone forget about it.
Colts 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 20.0 (17th)
- Yards: 517.0 (first)
- Yards per play: 5.7 (12th)
- Passing: 340.0 (second)
- Rushing: 177.0 (sixth)
- Defensive scoring: 20.0 (16th)
- Yards allowed: 299.0 (10th)
- Yards per play allowed: 4.4 (fifth)
- Pass defense: 222.0 (16th)
- Rush defense: 77.0 (10th)
Jaguars 2022 stats/rankings
- Scoring: 22.0 (14th)
- Yards: 383.0 (13th)
- Yards per play: 6.2 (eighth)
- Passing: 260.0 (11th)
- Rushing: 123.0 (13th)
- Defensive scoring: 28.0 (28th)
- Yards allowed: 390.0 (23rd)
- Yards per play allowed: 5.6 (18th)
- Pass defense: 305.0 (29th)
- Rush defense: 85.0 (13th)
Injuries to know
- WR Michael Pittman Jr. (quad, out)
- LB Shaquille Leonard (back, out)
- WR Alec Pierce (concussion, out)
- DE DeForest Buckner (hip, questionable)
- CB Kenny Moore II (hip, questionable)
- S Trevor Denbow (injured reserve)
- T Carter O’Donnell (injured reserve)
- TE Andrew Ogletree (injured reserve)
- P Rigoberto Sanchez (injured reserve)
- S Armani Watts (injured reserve)
- DE Jordan Smith (injured reserve)