Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars prediction and odds

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The Indianapolis Colts host the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first AFC South clash of the 2023 NFL season. Rookie Anthony Richardson makes his debut at quarterback while we get to see wide receiver Calvin Ridley for the first time with the Jaguars.

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Game predictions

Contents

1 Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars – Game predictions
- 1.1 Prediction 1: Colts +4.5 @ -110 (1.91)
- 1.2 Prediction 2: Christian Kirk over 50.5 receiving yards @ -110 (1.91)
2 Colts vs Jaguars preview – How will Richardson fare?
3 Key match details

The Jaguars are a 4.5-point road favorite with a total of 46.5 points. The home team has won 11 straight meetings in this rivalry.

Prediction 1: Colts +4.5 @ -110 (1.91)

Division games can always be tricky, and the Colts are an unknown commodity with a rookie coach and quarterback making their debut. But the Jaguars also trailed 5 games by 17-plus points after Week 9 last year, tied for the most in the league. We are likely not talking about defending AFC South champions if Ryan Tannehill was never injured late last year. Also, division games are even harder in Week 1. Since 2009, road favorites in division games in Week 1 are just 5-22 ATS and 9-16-2 SU – abysmal numbers. We’ll back the Colts at home with a real coach again.

Prediction 2: Christian Kirk over 50.5 receiving yards @ -110 (1.91)

A lot of attention will be on Ridley making his debut with Trevor Lawrence, but the favorite receiver last year was Christian Kirk, who had a career-high 1,108 yards. Kirk had a touchdown in each game against the Colts last year. He was over 50.5 yards in 12-of-19 games last season, and the Colts have downgraded at corner. Pick Kirk’s familiarity for Lawrence in a good matchup.

Colts vs Jaguars preview – How will Richardson fare?

The Colts had no mobility at quarterback last year and it exposed the offensive line. However, they had their best game blocking the Jaguars as Matt Ryan threw nearly 60 passes without taking a sack, his only game all year without one.

Indianapolis Colts form, news and injuries

The big news in Indy has been the health and contract dispute for star running back Jonathan Taylor. He is on IR and will miss at least the first 4 games if we see him at all for the Colts again. He would be a big asset to Richardson’s mobility, but the Colts must make do without him. They do get back linebacker Shaquille Leonard, who was limited to 3 games last season.

Indianapolis Colts injury report:

RB Zack Moss (forearm) – Questionable
RB Jonathan Taylor (ankle) – Out
TE Jelani Woods (hamstring) – Out
DE Genard Avery (knee) – Out
WR Ashton Dulin (knee) – Out
G Danny Pinter (ankle) – Out
S Daniel Scott (knee) – Out
OT Jake Witt (hip) – Out
DE Titus Leo (undisclosed) – Out

Jacksonville Jaguars form, news and injuries

The Jaguars come in relatively healthy. They made a big improvement last year with the receiving core, but they hope to take things to a higher level with the addition of Ridley. This is his first game since 2021 after he spent all of 2022 serving a suspension for gambling on NFL games. He has No. 1 wideout capability in this offense that will also look to feature running back Travis Etienne.