Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction and Best Bet: Jaguars to Clinch Top Pick in Draft With Loss to Postseason-Bound Colts

The Indianapolis Colts could have clinched an NFL playoff spot last week with a win, but they fell short against the Las Vegas Raiders at home. Still, you have to like their chances to seal the deal with a road win over the worst team in the league.

It has been a disastrous year for Jacksonville, who wasn’t expected to do much but has fallen well short of even those expectations. With the season ending, the franchise can focus on finding a new head coach.

Nothing is easy when you are playing on the road in your own division. But this is a spot where you can say that if the Colts fail to beat the Jaguars, they don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Matchup Info and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Game Matchup: Indianapolis Colts (9-7, 2nd in AFC South) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14, 4th in AFC South)
• Venue & Location: TIAA Bank Field (Jacksonville, Florida)
• Date: Sunday, January 9, 2022
• Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
• TV: CBS

Betting Odds

• Spread: Indianapolis Colts -15.5 (-110), Jacksonville Jaguars +15.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 44 (-115), UNDER 44 (-105)
• Moneyline: Indianapolis Colts -1100, Jacksonville Jaguars +700

Odds are from BetMGM.

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Outlook

The Colts don’t have to blow out the Jags on Sunday; they just have to get the win. Last week was such a disappointment because they were at home and favored by more than a touchdown against the Raiders but came up short.

The Colts are the better team, by far. However, the Colts can’t take too much for granted given they only won by six when they faced the Jaguars at home in Week 10.

This was always going to be a development season for Jacksonville, with a rookie quarterback and a new head coach. But with all of the issues surrounding Urban Meyer and his eventual firing, how much development has there been for this Jaguars team? They certainly haven’t put a scare into many opponents, covering only four times in 16 games.

Indianapolis Colts vs Jacksonville Jaguars Prediction and Best Bet

Indianapolis Colts 31, Jacksonville Jaguars 21 (OVER 44)

When these teams met for the first time NFL MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor rushed for 116 yards, and the Colts jumped out to a 17-0 first-quarter lead. After that, they sleepwalked through the rest of the game but held on for a 23-17 win.

For this game, Indianapolis could stand to be a little more assertive. They can follow a similar formula of using the run to build a lead. But they should be more aggressive so as to avoid a repeat of the first meeting.

In the last game, Indianapolis did not force rookie QB Trevor Lawrence into any mistakes. He tends to throw interceptions in bunches though, including three last week against New England. So, once you get him to make a mistake, it can be game over. Look for the Colts to get after him more this time.

With Jacksonville producing little of note on the ground, there is no reason not to dare Lawrence to beat the Colts. Can he? I don’t think he can.

Generally, I’m not big on double-digit spreads unless it is to back the underdog. However, even though the Colts may not be playing as well as they were a few weeks ago, this should still be an easy win to secure their playoff spot.

I think Indianapolis will want to put some points on the board to put the game well beyond Jacksonville’s reach. Look for the Colts to lock this one up by the middle of the third quarter, and from there the Jaguars will help pad the total with meaningless scores.