Buccaneers visit Dolphins, Jaguars at Colts | NFL preview video
The Dolphins will play the Buccaneers for just the 13th time, the last time coming in 2021. The Jaguars head to Indianapolis to take on the Colts.
The Jacksonville Jaguars have completed Hard Part No. 1: They’ve clinched a spot in the playoffs.
Now they’d like to complete Hard Part No. 2: Win the AFC South title.
The only way to ensure they can hold on to the top spot in the AFC South as of now is to win their final two games. That starts this Sunday, Dec. 21, against the Colts at 1 p.m.
A loss to the Colts coupled with a win by the Texans over the Chargers would mean the Jaguars would fall into the wild card spot.
The Jaguars know the stakes. And there’s no reason to believe this will be a letdown weekend.
The game is indoors and the Jaguars are playing at a high level at all three phases:
- Offense: Trevor Lawrence has accounted for 10 touchdowns in his last two games, 8 passing and 2 rushing.
- Defense: The Jaguars have five takeaways in their last two games, including four interceptions and a fumble recovery.
- Special teams: The Jaguars have accounted for 282 yards on 9 kick returns, good for a 31-yard average. Kicker Cam Little is 10-for-10 on extra points and 4-for-4 for field goals.
Everything is going in the Jaguars’ favor as they are riding a six-game winning streak.
The Colts are on a five-game losing skid. Phillip Rivers is playing well despite his five-year hiatus. And Jonathan Taylor has been a lot less dominant since Daniel Jones’ injury.
Add all that up, and the Jags look like a good bet as a 6.5-point road favorite.
Here’s how our experts see it.
DEMETRIUS HARVEY
Jaguars beat writer
Jaguars 30, Colts 14
The Jaguars have scored at least 34 points in each of the last three weeks. The Colts are playing terrible defense right now, and I don’t think Jacksonville is a team that plays down to its opponent. They’re legit, no need to think otherwise anymore.
Season: 12-3 (Won last week)
MIKE DiROCCO
ESPN
Jaguars 31, Colts 17
The Jaguars have to win out to ensure they capture the AFC South. The Jaguars will have to contain Jonathan Taylor the way they did in the previous meeting. It may be hard to get to Phillip Rivers, but if they can get some push up the middle, they will have success against him.
Season: 8-7 (Lost last week)
RYAN O’HALLORAN
Times-Union Sports columnist
Jaguars 34, Colts 21
The Jaguars are in the AFC playoffs. Good for them and they deserve a hat tip for turning things from 4-13/no hope to 11-4/all things possible. But to make a run in the tournament, it’s time for the run game to get unlocked.
Or is it really that important?
The Jaguars entered Week 17 ranked 19th in rushing yards per game (118.1) and 26th in yards per carry (4.06). They haven’t rushed for more than 134 yards in the last three games. But they’re still winning … handily.
Led by resurgent quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars have 16 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns during their current six-game winning streak.
Are we see a philosophical or a necessity shift? Necessity all the way because coach Liam Coen is adamant about the importance of re-establishing the run game. I’ll meet Coen in the middle for this game. The Jaguars should come out slinging against the league’s 31st-ranked pass defense to build a lead and then focus on the run game.
The Jaguars make it seven consecutive wins and running back Travis Etienne gets at least 1 yard to reach 1,000 for the season.
Season: 11-4 (Won last week)
GARRY SMITS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 33, Colts 24
I think this one is going to be a bit closer than everyone thinks because while it’s hard to win seven games in a row in the NFL, it’s harder still to win five in a row in the dominating fashion in which the Jags have won their last four. The Colts aren’t going to derail the Jags’ offense but could have DL DeForest Buckner back, which would help. If Phillip Rivers cans get the ball out quickly, WR Alec Pierce continues to bedevil the Jaguars secondary and the game stays reasonably close, which would keep RB Jonathan Taylor relevant, this might be a game well into the fourth quarter.
Season: 9-6 (Won last week)
JUSTON LEWIS
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 34, Colts 17
This is starting to feel a lot like the run in 2022. So I’ll go with a throwback nod: “It was always the Jags.”
Season: 9-6 (Won last week)
CLAYTON FREEMAN
Times-Union Sports reporter
Jaguars 26, Colts 19
There’s a bit of trap game risk here against the slumping Colts, particularly at Lucas Oil Stadium against Jonathan Taylor. But Trevor Lawrence is playing some of his best football ever, and the Indy defense just allowed 440 yards and 48 points to San Francisco. A big game ahead for Brenton Strange?
Season: 9-6 (Won last week)
TIM WALTERS
Times-Union Sports Editor
Jaguars 31, Colts 17
The Jaguars are on a roll and could wrap up the AFC South. They’ll be motivated to take care of business. They bottled up Jonathan Taylor in their Dec. 7 win, and if they replicate that, this game should be in hand in the second half.
Season: 10-5 (Won last week)