The Jacksonville Jaguars had a little change of scenery prior to their bye, but took the same result as they were handily beaten 31-17 by the Dallas Cowboys in London on November 9. Now returning back to competition, they won’t have any room for error as they take on the AFC South-leading Indianapolis Colts. Will the Jaguars a couple tricks coming off their bye week? Or will the Colts exert their dominance over their division once again?
There are more juicy AFC matchups heading your way this weekend. Check out our previews for the Dolphins vs. Broncos and Bengals vs. Texans for more on the hottest conference action in Week 12.
[sc:Football ]Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Preview
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
When: Sunday, November 23, 1:00 PM ET
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (+13.5) at Indianapolis Colts (-13.5); total 50.5 – view all NFL lines
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars entered their bye week after going 1-9 over their first 10 games this season. The Jags hope to repeat the same successful stretch they experienced after last year’s bye—going 4-4, including a stretch in which they won four of five games.
[sc:NFL240banner ]The bye week should also give rookie quarterback Blake Bortles a chance to relax and cut down on the errors without having to learn on the fly. Bortles has thrown (only) one interception in each of his last two games, the first time he’s thrown less than three interceptions in consecutive games in his short career.
Fewer Bortles turnovers has also led to a better receiving game. Cecil Shorts III caught five passes for 119 yards against Dallas in Week 10, while Allen Hurns had seven receptions for 112 yards and two touchdowns in Cincinnati in Week 9. If Bortles can continue to cut down on the turnovers, then his receiving corps will have the opportunity to shine, especially against Indianapolis’ porous pass defense, which has allowed an average of 262.9 yards.
The bye week also gave the Jaguars time to examine New England’s running exhibition against New Orleans on Sunday night. The Patriots’ third-string running back Jonas Gray managed to find the gaps in the Colts’ run defense to wreak havoc for 199 yards and four touchdowns.
A rejuvenated Jaguars running game behind running back Denard Robinson should be able to find the same gaps to exploit. Robinson has rushed for 5.4 yards per carry since taking up the starting role in the team, while the Colts have allowed 4.6 yards per rush attempt this season and the second-most rushing touchdowns (12) in the league.
The Jaguars are 2-7-1 ATS this season.
Betting on the Indianapolis Colts
Indianapolis quarterback Andrew Luck extended his streak of 300-yard games to eight, a franchise record, in a 42-20 loss to the New England Patriots Sunday night. Luck needs one more 300-yard performance to tie Drew Brees’ NFL record of nine.
Luck will have the perfect opportunity to match Brees’ record against the Jacksonville Jaguars, whom he burnt in Week 3 for 370 yards and four touchdowns for a season-high 140.4 passer rating. His stable of capable players in the receiving corps should help him move the chains against the Jaguars’ pass defense, which has allowed 261.9 yards per game.
Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton, in particular, was devastating in the four games before managing only 24 yards on three catches against New England last week. Hilton recorded 556 yards receiving and three touchdowns in the four-game span. Meanwhile, tight end Coby Fleener also made a strong case as a viable weapon against the Jags after catching all seven passes for 144 yards against New England.
The running game may stall with lead running back Ahmad Bradshaw out with an injury. However, Trent Richardson may be a viable replacement, at least for this game, after rushing for 4.1 yards per carry against the Jaguars in Week 3.
On the other side of the ball, Indianapolis cornerbacks Greg Toler and Vontae Davis will be on the lookout for errant passes from the Jags’ rookie quarterback. Toler recorded a pick-6 against Bortles in Week 3, while Davis added another interception.
The Colts are 4-0 SU/ATS in their last four games against the Jaguars dating back to 2012.
Writer’s Prediction
The Colts bounce back with a big home win and cover against the Jaguars. Create a betting account now and cash in on this game and many others as we go along the NFL season.
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