The Indianapolis Colts (5-4) begin a vital stretch of upcoming games with a divisional matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars (4-5) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
As the Colts look to bounce back from stifling loss against the Miami Dolphins, the Jaguars are coming off of the bye week following their trip to London.
As the experts gave their take on predicting the outcome, here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees the Week 11 matchup shaking out.
Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11): Jaguars 20, Colts 17
Though the embarrassing loss against the Dolphins in Week 10 was more a fluke than a characteristic of the Colts, it shed some light on some serious troubles. Those troubles could rear their ugly head in what should be a physical matchup with a division rival.
The Jaguars defense isn’t what it was, especially after trading away Jalen Ramsey. And the return of Jacoby Brissett will be huge. But the Jaguars still have an elite front seven that could give the Colts offensive line some nightmare matchups with the way they have been playing. No T.Y. Hilton likely means Jacksonville will force Brissett to throw the ball and while he’s proven he can do it, the Jaguars defense could apply enough pressure to get him off his spot.
The defense should be able to keep it close. The return of Nick Foles is good for the Jaguars, but he could be rusty. The Colts have also found ways to stop Leonard Fournette in the past, which could result in a similar outcome.
Even at home and with the Jaguars coming off the bye week, I predict the Colts to drop their third game in a row.
Arden Franklyn (@ArdenSportsTalk): Colts 23, Jaguars 14
Amongst all of the reasons I have for a Colts win on Sunday, I believe it comes down to one player: Jacoby Brissett. The Colts’ QB1 makes all the difference in a world for a team that has struggled with its passing attack/pre-snap checks in his absence. We will see both areas be instantly improved in Sunday’s game against the Jaguars.
Although I know Jaguars quarterback Nick Foles is talented and clutch in his own right, I do have questions about whether he’s rusty upon his return from injury and if he reestablished any previous chemistry with his receiving targets, especially DJ Chark and Chris Conley.
John Alfieri (@alfierijohn): Colts 14, Jaguars 14
Even with the injuries that continue to pile up, the Colts are in a good spot at 5-4 with a shot to retake the division on Sunday at home against Jacksonville. Both quarterbacks, Nick Foles and Jacoby Brissett, will be making their returns after injuries as well.
This will be a close game with two up and coming defenses so don’t expect a lot of fireworks. Both offenses will be playing it safe as well so expect a lot of running with Leonard Fournette and Marlon Mack.
Foles has not played since Week 1 and will struggle early on. Expect D.J. Chark to get double covered a lot in this one. Brissett will struggle too but will bounce back in the second half to lead the Colts to a win.
14 points may seem a little low but I’m also predicting another missed field goal by Adam Vinatieri as his struggles continue.
With a Texans potential loss against the Ravens, the Colts will be back on top in the AFC South with a chance to go a game up on Houston next Thursday.
Sam Sinclair (@samsinclair96): Colts 20, Jaguars 17
The Colts are backed against the wall and are in basically a dire need to win not just this week, but the next three games as a whole.
The offense and Frank Reich have to be more creative getting the ball to their running backs with T.Y. Hilton, Devin Funchess and Parris Campbell out this week. If Reich has any new wrinkles, this is the week to bring it out. Anyway they can keep Brissett and the offense in favorable down-and-distance they need to do it.
Defensively, don’t allow the Jags to get chunk plays. They will attack downfield more with Foles back at quarterback, and they like to go to D.J. Chark on deep passes. They can’t allow Leonard Fournette and that run offense to get going.
This defense should put the Colts in position to win Sunday. The question is, can this offense do enough to win? I think they’ll be able to run the ball this week and pick up an important AFC South victory.