Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Preview
Where: Wembley Stadium, London
When: Sunday, October 2, 2016, 9:30 AM ET
Line: Indianapolis Colts (-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (+2); total 49.5 – view all NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Writer’s Pick: Indianapolis Colts (-2)
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Betting on the Indianapolis Colts (-2)
Indy is winless no more, and that’s mostly thanks to the clutch efforts of Andrew Luck and T.Y. Hilton against the Chargers on Sunday.
Luck, who finished the game with 331 passing yards, one TD and an interception, located Hilton with less than two minutes left on the clock, and the Pro Bowl receiver cunningly maneuvered his way into the end zone for the go-ahead score. And unlike their season opener, the Colts’ defense didn’t choke this time around as it recovered two fumbles to seal the win.
With that, momentum should be on the side of the Colts when they fly to London for an encounter with the 0-3 Jaguars. Even though that the Jags are still searching for win No .1, this team is no pushover at all. Their defense is pretty solid thus far, allowing just 311.3 yards of total offense through three games. But the same cannot be said in the current state of their underachieving offense.
As long as the Jags continue to struggle offensively, the Colts are in good shape to win. Their passing game, which is putting up nearly 300 yards per game, will likely be the difference-maker. Luck has several capable targets in Hilton, Philip Dorsett and Dwyane Allen, all of whom are averaging at least 12.0 yards per catch, to help him push the ball forward.
Indy has won six of the last seven meetings (5-2 ATS) with the Jags.
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (+2)
So much for all the preseason hype in Jacksonville. The Jaguars dropped to 0-3 for the third time in the last four years after succumbing to Ravens, 19-17, on Sunday.
It’s worth noting, though, that the Jags had many chances to win it in the fourth quarter. They forced three-straight turnovers in that period, but were unable to fully capitalize on their defensive efforts. QB Blake Bortles, who finished with just 194 passing yards, two scores and three picks, also couldn’t come up with some good results in the clutch.
Maybe this weekend’s ‘home game’ versus the Colts at Wembley Stadium, London is where the Bortles and his Jags can finally start living up to the expectations, or at least get something going. They’re taking on an Indy defense that’s giving up 401.3 total yards and 31.3 points per game this season.
Jacksonville can probably find some success through RB Chris Ivory. Ivory had 12 carries for just 14 yards in his season debut against Baltimore. Well, that output was expected, but he’s bound to regain some more of his confidence moving forward.
Meanwhile, the Jags’ passing game is loaded with talented players who can cause some serious trouble for the Colts D. There’s Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns and Julius Thomas, all of whom have more than 120 receiving yards under their respective names already. It’s only Thomas, however, who’s found the end zone.
Writer’s Prediction
Colts win it, 31-27.
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