Through four weeks, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only winless team in the NFL. Despite the promising performance of first-round receiver Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars have yet to secure a victory. In Week 4, they came close to upsetting the Houston Texans, but a late touchdown by Houston sealed the Jaguars’ fate, leaving them winless and dejected as they exited NRG Stadium.
The Indianapolis Colts have faced a different situation. After starting 0-2, they bounced back with two consecutive victories, including a notable win over the previously undefeated Pittsburgh Steelers. In that game, starting quarterback Anthony Richardson left with a hip injury, and backup Joe Flacco stepped in, arguably elevating the passing game. Flacco, who impressed during his stint with Cleveland last year, brought renewed hope for the Colts. If Richardson is unavailable for Sunday’s game, Flacco may once again have the chance to recapture that magic for the Colts in 2024.
However, the Colts haven't beaten the Jaguars on the road since 2014, with many of those matchups not even being competitive. Jacksonville has won the past three meetings at EverBank Stadium by an average of 18 points.
Despite this, the Colts may feel optimistic heading into this game after their two-game win streak and a confidence-boosting victory against the Steelers.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars (0-4) remain winless, but two of their losses have come down to the final moments, including last week’s close game against the Houston Texans.
Questions have begun to surface about head coach Doug Pederson’s job security as the team struggles to find its footing.
The Jaguars would love to lean on their strong running game, as they are averaging 5.7 yards per carry, ranking second in the league. Unfortunately, they've often been playing from behind, limiting their ability to run the ball. Travis Etienne is averaging 4.6 yards per carry, while Tank Bigsby is averaging 8.2 yards per carry, including a 58-yard run. Together, they’ve combined for five carries of 20 or more yards.
On the other hand, the Colts' rushing defense, which had a rough start, has seen some improvement. However, they still allow 164.8 rushing yards per game (31st in the league), and opponents are running 37.8 times per game, the highest in the NFL.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has struggled with accuracy this season, completing just 53.3% of his passes (31st in the league). He’s thrown for 729 yards, with four touchdowns and one interception.
Brian Thomas Jr., the Jaguars' first-round pick, is quickly emerging as Lawrence’s favorite target, with 17 receptions, averaging 16.2 yards per catch, and two touchdowns. Lawrence has targeted Thomas nine times in each of the past two weeks. Christian Kirk has also contributed with 17 receptions, averaging 9.9 yards per catch and one touchdown.
Pass protection remains a concern for the Jaguars, as their quarterbacks have been sacked 13 times. The team has converted only 35% of their third-down attempts (ranking 30th in the league), resulting in a time of possession that also ranks 30th.
The Colts' pass defense has been leaky, allowing 235 yards per game (26th in the NFL), though they’ve managed to record 12 sacks. Indianapolis' defense is giving up the most total yards in the league, allowing 399.8 yards per game. Linebacker E.J. Speed and safety Nick Cross have each recorded 47 tackles, and defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo had two sacks in Week 4.
Jaguars vs. Colts Odds, Moneyline, and Over/Under
According to BetOnline.ag’s latest NFL odds:
- Spread: Jaguars (-3)
- Moneyline: Jaguars (-152); Colts (+132)
- Over/Under: 46
Given the uncertainty around the Colts' quarterback situation, it might be worth waiting for clarity later in the week before placing bets. Joe Flacco could provide some stability for Indianapolis if called upon. Meanwhile, the Jaguars, despite wearing their throwback uniforms, still have significant weaknesses, and Trevor Lawrence’s confidence appears shaky.
Head coach Doug Pederson took a veiled shot at his players following the team's 0-4 start. Whether Pederson’s words will motivate the team or risk losing the locker room remains to be seen, but his position is clearly on the hot seat.
Despite their poor record, the Jaguars have faced a tough schedule to start the season. However, with the home-field advantage and the added pressure of Pederson’s situation, Jacksonville might finally get their first win this week.