Jaguars vs. Colts Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Jaguars found a higher gear down the stretch last season, claiming the AFC South title on the strength of their season-ending 5-0 run, which featured a trio of lopsided road wins. The Colts return to action with plenty to prove after ending their 2022 NFL campaign with seven straight defeats. Winners of just four games last season, the Colts will also be eager to put the brakes on a five-game losing streak on home turf.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium marks the first of two meetings between these divisional rivals this season. The Colts split the season series with Jacksonville, capped by a narrow 34-27 home win in Week 6 that also marked the last time they earned a victory on home turf. However, it is the Jags that hold the edge in head-to-head action, topping the Colts in nine of 15 meetings since 2015. Jacksonville is also a steady 13-2-1 against the spread in their past 16 dates with the Colts, but failed to earn an outright win in five visits to Indianapolis.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags gave their fans plenty of reason to be hopefully with their march to the AFC Divisional Playoffs last season. The team maintained that momentum in NFL preseason action, winning and covering in each of their three August contests, while claiming victory by an average margin of 12 points. However, this team has work to do to buck a trend that has seen them fall to defeat in three of their past four season openers.
The Jaguars return to action with their offensive core largely intact. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence will be looking to build on a bust-out campaign in 2002, during which he tossed for 4113 passing yards and 25 touchdowns, but managed to connect on just one total scoring toss in his final three regular season appearances. Lawrence will enjoy the benefit of another downfield option in the form of Calvin Ridley. However, the 28-year-old may need time to shake off rust after being suspended for the entire 2022 season.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts have nowhere to go but up after enduring a brutal 4-12-1 campaign in 2022. However, this team has taken some big and painful steps to turn their fortunes around. Gone are veteran passers Matt Ryan and Nick Foles, who combined to toss just 14 touchdowns against 17 picks last season. In fact, the Colts have pinned their hopes on rookie pivot Anthony Richardson, whom they selected fourth overall in the 2023 NFL Draft after he tossed for 17 scores including 10 in the final four games of his lone season as the Florida Gators’ starting passer.
Richardson was underwhelming in his first taste of NFL action during the preseason, going just 13-for-29 for 145 yards, no scores, and one pick in two two August appearances. Indeed, Richardson must find a way to avoid opening day jitters in his regular season debut, but should benefit from the presence of veteran center Ryan Kelly and veteran receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who is likely to emerge as his favorite target, at least early on.
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IND