Colts vs Jaguars Week 18 Predictions, Odds, Picks, and Preview: Indianapolis Targets Playoff Spot : NFL : Sports World News

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – Jonathan Taylor #28 of the Indianapolis Colts is tackled as he carries the ball throughout the second half towards the Las Vegas Raiders at Lucas Oil Stadium on January 02, 2022 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo : Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

A pivotal AFC South matchup will happen this Sunday, January 9, because the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. Can the Colts clinch a wild card spot towards the Jags, or will Jacksonville file a significant upset? Here’s a preview of the Colts vs Jaguars conflict.

Indianapolis Colts put in as -15.5 favorites

The Indianapolis Colts had their three-game successful streak snapped in Week 17 with a stinging 23-20 loss to the Las Vegas Raiders. It was a expensive defeat for the Colts, who dropped to sixth place within the AFC with a 9-7 file.

The excellent news for the Colts is that they nonetheless management their very own playoff future. They solely have to win or tie towards Jacksonville in Week 18 to succeed in the playoffs for the third time within the final 4 years.

However, the Jaguars have been a tricky nut to crack for the Colts lately. Indianapolis has misplaced every of its final 5 video games in Jacksonville and one other street recreation towards the Jaguars throughout the pond in London again in 2016. The Colts have misplaced seven of their final 12 video games towards the Jags.

For Indianapolis to finish its street woes towards Jacksonville, they may want Jonathan Taylor to provide one other monster displaying. He is tied with Hall of Famer Edgerrin James for probably the most 100-yard video games in a season (10) in franchise historical past. Taylor can also be tied with one other Hall of Famer, Lenny Moore, for probably the most whole touchdowns scored in a single season (20) within the historical past of the franchise.

Jacksonville Jaguars enter Week 18 as +15.5 underdogs

The losses are piling up for the reeling Jags. Jacksonville crashed to its eighth consecutive defeat in Week 17, absorbing a heavy 50-10 loss by the hands of the New England Patriots. It was one other embarrassing defeat for the Jaguars, who misplaced in 14 of their final 16 video games.

The Jaguars will look to finish their season on a excessive notice after they host the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18. The Jaguars haven’t loved the home-field benefit that a lot this season, posting a 2-6 file of their eight dwelling video games. They will likely be examined by a Colts workforce that’s 5-2 on the street this marketing campaign.

The Jaguars will look to play spoiler within the regular-season finale and hold the playoff hopes of each the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens alive. For Jacksonville to seize its third win of the season towards Indianapolis, the Jaguars will want Trevor Lawrence to ship a strong displaying. He struggled mightily within the loss to New England, finishing simply 17 of 27 passes for 193 yards with one landing and three interceptions.

The Jags have the worst scoring offense of their franchise’s historical past, with Lawrence on tempo to file the fewest touchdowns by a full-season starter. The prime decide within the 2021 NFL Draft has been disappointing, passing for simply 10 touchdowns in 16 video games this season.