Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Matchup Preview (1/9/22): Betting Odds, Depth Charts, Live Stream (Watch Online)

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Matchup Preview (1/9/22)

Though the Indianapolis Colts control their own destiny this weekend, securing a playoff spot will require them to do something they haven’t done since the Obama administration — beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in Jacksonville. Even when this Jags team has been horrible they’ve inexplicably had the Colts’ number, winning the last 6 home games against Indy by an average margin of 8.5 points. It’s easy to say that this version of the Jags is the worst team of the last decade, and that’s probably true, though last year’s team went just 1-15 and I think you can infer who that one win came against. The Jaguars enter this matchup as a 15.5 point underdog coming off a 40 point loss to the Patriots, which doubled as their eighth straight defeat. The Colts, meanwhile, are coming off a 3 points loss to the Raiders, ending a 3 game win streak. If the Colts win this weekend, they’re automatically in the playoffs. If they lose, however, they still have a shot if the Raiders, Steelers, and Patriots all lose as well.

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Odds

Betting Trends

Colts are 6-0 ATS in their last 6 road games
Colts are 5-1 ATS vs. a team with a losing record
Colts are 2-5 ATS in their last 7 vs. AFC South
Jaguars are 2-8 ATS in their last 10 home games
Jaguars are 2-7 ATS in their last 9 games as a home underdog
Jaguars are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 vs. AFC South

The Pick

Don’t overthink this one. The Jags have one of the worst run stopping defenses in the league and the Colts are a top 2 rushing offense. The Colts’ defense is great at creating turnovers, and the Jags offense is the most turnover prone offense in the NFL. The Colts have every incentive to win this game, while the Jags are just playing for pride. Both analytics and circumstance favor the Colts in this one, and I love them on the moneyline regardless of the seven year losing streak in Jacksonville.

Regarding the spread, 15.5 points seems like a lot especially with Carson Wentz still recovering from COVID-19. I like the Colts to jump to an early lead and for Frank Reich to call the dogs off at some point in the second half — opening up the back door.

My Prediction: Colts win 28-13, Jags cover (+15.5) and the under hits (u44)

TV Schedule

Date: Sunday, January, 9
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Location: TIAA Bank Field — Jacksonville, FL
TV Coverage: CBS

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Live Stream

Where can you watch Colts vs Jags online? You can stream this game, and many other NFL games live online with Hulu. Hulu has a 7 Day free trial and is cheaper than cable options at $5.99/month. Watch Colts vs Jags Free Online Now.

Injuries

Indianapolis Colts: CB Xavier Rhodes (Hamstring) Q, S Julian Clackmon (Achilles) O, K Rodrigo Blankenship (Hip) O, WR Parris Campbell (Foot) Q, CB Marvell Tell III (Groin) Q, DT Antwuan Woods (Calf) O, CB Nick Nelson (undisclosed) O
Jacksonville Jaguars: CB Shaquill Griffin (COVID-19) O, RB james Robinson (Achilles) O, C Brandon Linder (COVID-19) O, P JK Scott (COVID-19) O, WR DJ Chark Jr (Fractured Ankle) O, RB Carlos Hyde (Concussion) O, G AJ Cann (Knee) O, RB Travis Etienne Jr (Foot) O, OT Cam Robinson (COVID-19) O, P Logan Cooke (Knee) O, FS Rayshawn Jenkins (Ankle) O, TE Dan Arnold (knee) Q, WR Jamal Agnew (Hip) O, LB K’Lavon Chaisson (COVID-19) O

Indianapolis Colts Analysis

While the Colts have built some momentum over the latter half of the season, winning 6 of their last 8 games, it’ll be interesting to see how Carson Wentz looks this weekend after coming off another week of COVID-19 recovery. Wentz is unvaccinated and did not look himself in Sunday’s game against the Raiders — likely playing with the virus. His recovery heading into the playoffs is something to keep an eye on as it is one of the few unknowns on an otherwise complete team by wild card standards.

The bread and butter for this Colts team is the run game. Led by MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor, who leads the league in rushing by a 529 yard margin, the Colts are the second best rushing offense in the NFL. They average 152.9 rushing yards a game and are most effective running the ball on the road where they’ve averaged 160.7 yards a game. Just under 44 percent of the Colts’ first downs have come from run plays. They’re currently tied with Cleveland for first most yards per rush at 5.1.

Carson Wentz has been effective all year — posting a top 13 passer rating and the 11th most passing touchdowns. Frank Reich isn’t afraid to let him sling it, though there is a clear understanding that the strength of this team lies in the run game as only 4 teams throw the ball less than the Colts.

Defensively, the Colts rank 17th in the NFL in total yards allowed per game. They have the 18th ranked passing defense and the 12th ranked rushing defense. They’ve allowed only 10 rushing touchdowns this season, fourth fewest of any team, and are tied with Green Bay for the best turnover margin at +16.

Indianapolis Colts Depth Chart

QB: Carson Wentz
RB1: Jonathan Taylor
RB2: Nyheim Hines
RB3: Marlon Mack
WR1: Michael Pittman Jr
WR2: Zach Pascal
WR3: TY Hilton

Jacksonville Jaguars Analysis

It’s hard to believe this Jacksonville team has actually gotten worse since Urban left. It appears all hope has been in the locker room as they’ve lost their last five games by an average margin of 22 points. Quarterback prodigy Trevor Lawrence has been given the all time rookie pass for this season and I’m not quite sure it’s unwarranted though it is interesting. Darrell Bevel is currently serving as the team’s interim Head Coach since Meyer’s departure just three weeks ago.

The Jags rank 28th in total offense with the 24th ranked passing offense and 23rd ranked rushing offense. They rank last in the NFL in points per game, averaging 14.2, and have the worst turnover margin in the NFL by a wide margin at -22. Trevor Lawrence has seemingly regressed week by week and now leads the league in interceptions. The Jags have failed to score more than 10 points in three of their last 5 games while giving up 30 or more 3 times over that same span. Their red zone offense ranks 26th in the league, scoring touchdowns on 52.94 percent of red zone drives.

The Jags have the 22nd ranked overall defense in YPG with the 16th ranked passing defense and the 23rd ranked rushing defense. If there’s any silver lining to this team it’s likely their secondary, though the stats on this may just be a product of teams opting to run the ball late in games with a lead. Only five teams in the NFL get thrown on less than the Jags. They have the 24th ranked red zone defense, allowing touchdowns on 63.79 percent of opponent red zone drives. As a cherry on top, this defense has only recovered one fumble all season.

Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart

QB: Trevor Lawrence
RB1: Dare Ogunbowale
RB2: Ryquell Armstead
WR1: Laviska Shenault Jr
WR2: Marvin Jones Jr
WR3: Laquon Treadwell
TE1: Chris Manhertz

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Daily Fantasy Pick

I like Colts running back Nyheim Hines to get at least 7 carries for more than 30 yards against a poor run defense in a game that could get ugly early. Hines has played in every Colts game this season, averaging just shy of 4 carries and 18 yards a game. If the Colts get up big early, and I think they will, Frank Reich isn’t going to want to risk Jonathan Taylor or Carson Wentz getting injured. He’s going to want to eat the clock and call his dogs off, presenting the perfect opportunity for Hines to get some heavy production numbers late. The Colts RB is listed at just $5,100 on FanDuel — a solid value play for this time of the season.