In Week 17 of the NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars are set to face off against the Indianapolis Colts, building on their previous victory earlier in the season. Last week, the Jaguars secured their playoff berth, thanks in part to a Colts loss, and now they aim to clinch the AFC South title with a win and some assistance from the LA Chargers. With a record of 11-4, Jacksonville also keeps its sights on the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs.
As both teams prepare for this critical matchup, analysts and experts are heavily favoring the Jaguars to emerge victorious. NFL.com predicts a clean sweep, with all five experts backing Jacksonville. Analyst Dan Parr highlights the slim chance for Indianapolis, suggesting that a strategic game plan focusing on methodical drives could pose challenges for the Jaguars. However, he ultimately doubts the effectiveness of this approach given the strong performance of quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ solid form.
ESPN’s predictions align similarly, with seven staff members siding with the Jaguars, though Jeremy Fowler has opted to take a chance on the Colts. The consensus among the Monday Morning Quarterback crew at Sports Illustrated also favors Jacksonville, further amplifying the confidence in the Jaguars’ ability to win.
In a more precise forecast, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio predicts a Jaguars victory by a score of 30-20, while Chris Simms expects a slightly higher margin at 34-20. CBS Sports analyst Pete Prisco echoes these sentiments, asserting that the Jaguars are highly motivated to win the division, especially against a Colts team riddled with injuries and struggling defensively. He believes that Jacksonville’s offense, led by a prepared Lawrence, will put up strong contributions in this critical game.
As the Jaguars strive to solidify their playoff standing and push for a divisional championship, the indications from experts suggest that they are well positioned for success in this crucial rematch against Indianapolis.