Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Pick, Odds: How Will Anthony Richardson Do In Week 1?
Two AFC South rivals face off in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon, with the Jacksonville Jaguars taking on the Colts. How will Anthony Richardson do in Week 1? NFL analyst Matthew MacKay breaks down his Jaguars vs. Colts prediction and pick.
Matt MacKay - September 10, 2023, 9:23 AM EDT
5 minJacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Pick, Odds: How Will Anthony Richardson Do In Week 1?
Two AFC South rivals clash in Indianapolis on Sunday afternoon as the Jacksonville Jaguars travel to play the Indianapolis Colts during Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season. The Colts have the youngest roster in the league, while Jaguars third-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence and Head Coach Doug Pederson experienced immense success in their first season together in 2022.
The Jaguars added wideout Calvin Ridley to their offense, who returns from suspension looking every bit as explosive as he did in Atlanta during glimpses in training camp and the preseason. Jacksonville erased a massive deficit at home in the Wild Card round against the Los Angeles Chargers last postseason, which saw Lawrence remain poised while delivering accurate balls to a loaded receiving corps.
The Colts have Head Coach Shane Steichen, former Eagles OC, who now has rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, a raw, highly athletic prospect out of Florida who could excel in Steichen's RPO scheme. Unfortunately, star running back Jonathan Taylor's offseason has left him on the PUP list due to ankle injuries, but his contract negotiations soured, leaving the Colts with a mixture of underwhelming running backs to cycle through.
NFL handicapper Matt MacKay is here with his latest analysis, including the best bet to place in this AFC South tilt between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts on Sunday afternoon.
Jaguars vs. Colts Start Time, Where To Watch, and Odds
- Date: Sunday, September 10
- Game Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FOX
Jaguars vs. Colts Odds
- Spread: Colts +6.5 (-148), Jaguars -6.5 (+116)
- Total Odds: O 45 (-110), U 45 (-105)
- Moneyline Odds: Colts (+198), Jaguars (-225)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Injury Report
Jaguars
Questionable: N/A
Out: N/A
Colts
Questionable: N/A
Out: RB Zack Moss (Arm), TE Jelani Woods (Hamstring), RB Jonathan Taylor (Ankle)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction
Jacksonville has the obvious edge in continuity and personnel, plus the trends align with the Jaguars. It's mostly due to their opponent since the Colts have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight season openers. They enter Week 1 as five-point home underdogs while losing each of its last seven games dating back to the 2022 season.
The Colts have seen the over hit in five of their last six games as well, and the point total is set to 45.5. Upon closer inspection, 46 total points has only been recorded once in the last five head-to-head matchups between these teams. Factor in the run-centric offense expected from Steichen's Colts, who could grind the clock to stay competitive against a superior offense like Jacksonville, and the under becomes more enticing.
Betting point totals can be tricky, so let's look at the spread. The Colts have failed to cover the spread as home underdogs against divisional opponents in four straight games, which means the Jaguars are in the driver's seat to win by five or more points. However, it's important to dissect other trends, like the Colts at home against the Jaguars. Indianapolis is 5-0 SU in its last five games against Jacksonville at home.
This is a difficult game to handicap due to the turnover in Indianapolis, plus the variance we see occur during Week 1. I'm heading to the game props market for the best bet in this matchup and placing a wager on the Colts' alternate spread at +6.5, which has -148 odds at FanDuel Sportsbook. This feels like a 27-21 game that the Jaguars win late, so let's avoid the late-game disappointment and take on a bit more juice with the Colts' alternate spread at +6.5
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts Pick
- Pick: Colts Alternate Spread +6.5 -148 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds for this pick
NFL Odds
