Jaguars (3-5) at Colts (3-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. ET, Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: CBS
Danny Sheridan’s by 3
Jaguars’ keys to victory: With RB Leonard Fournette expected to return, the Jaguars will need to lean on their run game to take the pressure off QB Blake Bortles, who has struggled to carry the team. Keeping the pocket clean is critical — the Jaguars have allowed 22 sacks and 53 quarterback hits in eight games. Amid their four-game losing streak, the Jaguars defense will need to return to the formidable unit it is expected to be after allowing 28.5 points per game over that stretch. The defense ranks first in the league against the pass and will want to plug the run, forcing the Colts to move the ball through the air against Jacksonville’s normally stout secondary, led by CB Jalen Ramsey.
Colts’ keys to victory: The Colts have gained 220 and 222 yards rushing in the last two games and want to continue to lean on RB Marlon Mack (averaging 5.8 yards per carry), which would allow QB Andrew Luck to run a more balanced offense. TEs Jack Doyle and Eric Ebron will want to get heavily involved, especially if WR T.Y. Hilton is dealing with the Jaguars’ strong cornerback duo on the outside. The Colts defense has been inconsistent against the run, and stopping RB Leonard Fournette is a must — that would force QB Blake Bortles to beat them.
Matchup to watch: Jaguars CB Jalen Ramsey vs. Colts WR T.Y. Hilton. It’s a top-tier cornerback against a top-tier wide receiver and should be interesting.
Who wins? The Colts offense faces a tough challenge, but it should be able to score enough to keep the Jaguars offense at bay.
Colts, 23-17 line: Colts JAGUARS SCHEDULE
W .... at N.Y. Giants .... 20-15 W ...NewEngland ...31-20 L ......... Tennessee ......... 9-6 W ........ N.Y. Jets ........ 31-12 L .... at Kansas City .... 30-14 L .......... atDallas .......... 40-7 L .......... Houston .......... 20-7 L ... Philly (London) ... 24-18 Nov. 4 .............. Bye .............. Nov. 11 . at Indianapolis . 1 Nov. 18 .. Pittsburgh .. 8:20 Nov. 25 ...... at Buffalo ...... 1 Dec. 2 ..... Indianapolis ..... 1 Dec. 6 . at Tennessee . 8:20 Dec. 16 .... Washington .... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 at Miami TBD Dec. 30 .... at Houston .... 1
L ........ Cincinnati ........ 34-23 W ..... at Washington ..... 21-9 L .... at Philadelphia .... 20-16 L ......... Houston ......... 37-34 L ...at New England ...38-24 L ........ at N.Y. Jets ........ 42-34 W ........... Buffalo ........... 37-5 W ....... at Oakland ....... 42-28 Nov. 4 ............... Bye ............... Nov. 11 ..... Jacksonville ..... 1 Nov. 18 ...... Tennessee ...... 1 Nov. 25 .......... Miami .......... 1 Dec. 2 ...at Jacksonville ...1 Dec. 9 ....... at Houston ....... 1 Dec. 16 .......... Dallas .......... 1 Dec. 22 or 23 . Giants .TBD Dec. 30 ...at Tennessee ...1