Andrew Luck would love nothing more than to lead his Colts to their second straight victory this weekend. Wits a Sunday afternoon date set with the Jacksonville Jaguars, could the Colts have asked for easier competition?
Two AFC
rebuilders are set to do battle Sunday, as the Colts host the Jaguars. The NFL
odds makers have opened the Colts as -3 favorites, with the total set at 42
points.
For this
contest, will Indianapolis continue their 2012 rebuild on the right foot, or
will the Jags come in and get their first win of the season? Find out where we
are looking to place our NFL picks in this matchup.
All in the Luck
After a
dreadful debut for the number one overall pick, Andrew Luck managed to lead his
team to victory in Week 2. Luck was 20-31, with 224 yards and two touchdowns.
More importantly, he had no turnovers. The Colts didn’t move the ball very
well, as they only posted 278 total yards. The rushing game was almost non-existent
for Indy, but they still managed to secure the win.
This
week against the Jags, the Colts will have to run the ball a bit more if they
want to get the win. The Jaguars have one of the best rushers in the NFL, and they
will definitely rely on ground attack in this game. Donald Brown will have to
step it up this week. The Vikings have a good run defense, and after a 16 carry
for 45 yards performance against the Vikings, Brown will need a rebound game
this week for the Colts.
Jaguars start slow
The Jags
lost to the Vikings in Week 1, and then had a tough game against their
divisional rivals the Texans last week. Not only did they get blown out, but
quarterback Blaine Gabbert was also injured and unable to finish the game.
Maurice
Jones-Drew accounted for the Jags’ only touchdown against the Texans, but
Jacksonville had little to be proud of. Obviously the Texans’ defense might be
the toughest in the AFC, but Jacksonville only amassed 117 total yards of
offense. Jacksonville earned only 9 first downs, 52 pass yards, and 65
rushing yards. MJD had 60 of those 65 rushing yards.
The Sharp Pick
While
neither of these teams are offensive powerhouses, they both have a lot of
offensive upside. Gabbert practiced on Wednesday, which is good news for both
the Jags’ offense and defense. Last season Gabbert was garbage, but he looks as
if he has improved a whole bunch in the offseason. As long as he is healthy for
the game, the Jags should have a chance at stealing a win in Indianapolis.
The Jags
will look to establish the run with MJD early, and he should have a field day
against a soft Colts defense, but will it be enough to beat the Colts?
Indy
will use their shiny new quarterback to good use this week. Jacksonville’s pass
defense is good, but their total defense is not. Look for Brown to have a good
game, and for Luck to take advantage of soft over the top coverage from the
Jaguars.
The Jags
are 1-10 SU in their last 11 road games, and they are only 3-8 SU in their last
11 games playing the Colts on the road.
Indianapolis
is only 3-7 SU in their last ten home games, and 5-10 ATS in their last 15
games at home. Obviously these numbers are a bit misleading, considering how
bad the Colts were last season.
For this
game, I don’t see many scenarios where the Jags would win. The Colts’ offense
has the advantage, and I think they will be able to score at least three
touchdowns against Jacksonville. I’m laying the points.
My Pick: Colts -3