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NFL Week 18 predictions, picks: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

Published

1 year ago

January 2, 2025

NFL Week 18 predictions, picks: Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts complete their season when the Jacksonville Jaguars visit in NFL Week 18.

The Colts (8-9) were eliminated from playoff contention last weekend in a 45-33 loss to the New York Giants. The Jaguars (4-12) have one win outside the AFC South. Jacksonville got its first win of the season in Week 5, 37-34 over Indianapolis.

Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back, foot) may return after missing the Giants game. Mac Jones has led Jacksonville in the wake of a Trevor Lawrence shoulder injury.

The Jaguars enter the finale with the No. 5 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, though there are five 4-12 teams. The Colts stand 12th in the draft order, but there are two other 7-9 teams.

Want more Colts coverage? Nate Atkins, Joel A. Erickson and Gregg Doyel track the team, and sign up for IndyStar’s Colts newsletter.

NFL Week 18 picks, predictions: Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Gregg Doyel, IndyStar: What’s the point?

“The Colts will win, unless it’s the Jaguars. Like it matters.”

Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Colts 23-10

“How bad are the Colts? Lose this one, and the answer is, ‘Pretty bad.’”

Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Colts 27-14

“This is a game featuring two teams playing for nothing. The Colts were awful in losing to the Giants last week. Jacksonville beat the Titans, but big deal. When two bad teams play with nothing at stake, take the home team. Colts win it.”

Brent Sobleski, Bleacher Report: Colts 30-21

“Snapping a three-game skid against a division rival may not be enough to save anyone, but the Colts have clearly reached a crossroads where owner Jim Irsay could go in any direction. General manager Chris Ballard, members of the coaching staff and plenty of the roster need this victory to try and somewhat calm the waters. Desperation is a powerful incentive.”

Tom Blair, NFL.com: Colts 24-21

“This one has caused me more stress than I thought it would. I almost went with the Jaguars, entranced by their steady-eddy mediocrity behind Mac Jones, and indeed could still swap in an entire blurb here justifying that choice. Over the past five games, Jacksonville has basically performed at replacement level, going 2-3 while generating yardage and point differentials close to zero (plus-39 and minus-4, respectively). Jones and Co. don’t get too high, they don’t get too low and they seem to always be within one score of winning. We can’t say the same for Indy, especially if Joe Flacco (who is 0-3 with a TD-to-INT ratio of 4:6 over his past three games) ends up starting again for Anthony Richardson. This is about where I was going to originally end my take — until I thought longer about the lift Jonathan Taylor (who missed Flacco’s narrow loss to Jacksonville in Week 5) can provide, and further weighed the likelihood that the Jaguars can sweep a second AFC South opponent (after going 2-0 against Tennessee) with a win on the road. So instead, I have talked myself into backing a messy former fringe contender by writing way too many words about a Week 18 game between two sub-.500 teams.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Colts 31-22

“The Colts were eliminated from playoff contention after a shocking loss to the Giants in Week 17. The Jaguars are in contention for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. Is a Week 18 shootout between Mac Jones and Joe Flacco just what we needed? The Colts have won five of the past six home meetings.”

Marcus Mosher, 33rd Team: Colts 24-17

“It’s impossible to know how (the Colts) will play in Week 18 after such a massive disappointment. But the Jacksonville Jaguars are far from a juggernaut with Mac Jones as the quarterback. Take the Colts to have some pride and get a win in Week 18, but don’t expect this to be a pretty victory, either.”

Pro Football Network: 2 picks for the Colts, 3 for the Jaguars

“It’ll be interesting to see Shane Steichen’s reception from fans Sunday after the Colts’ playoff hopes died in North Jersey last week. The Jaguars are playing for draft positioning in what could be head coach Doug Pederson’s final game.”

Gerry Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Colts 15-11

“The Colts keep finding ways to lose playoff-implication games, and it doesn’t get any more embarrassing than allowing 45 points to the Giants. It’s the third time in four years the Colts have lost a game that could have propelled them into the postseason.”

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts preview NFL Week 18

The Jaguars have worst time of possession in the NFL (26:52), have the fewest takeaways (9) and allow the most passing yards (257.7).

Mac Jones has completed 65.7% of his passes for 1,447 yards, 7 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. Tank Bigsby has 727 rushing yards (4.7 yards per) with 6 TDs. Rookie Brian Thomas Jr. has been Jacksonville’s breakout player, with 80 catches for 1,179 yards (14.7 per), 10 TDs and 16 catches of 20+ yards.

Devin Loyd has 107 tackles, Travon Walker 9.5 sacks and Montaric Brown 8 passes defended. Cam Little is 24-of-26 on field goals, with a long of 59 yards.

Indianapolis Colts vs. Jacksonville Jaguars preview NFL Week 18

The Colts are a top-10 rushing team (134 yards per game, No. 8) but struggle passing (56.2% completions, 32nd; 19 interceptions, 31st). Indianapolis allows 69.8% completions (32nd).

Anthony Richardson has completed 47.7% of his passes for 1,814 yards, 8 touchdowns and 14 interceptions; he has run for 499 yards (5.8 per) and 6 TDs. Joe Flacco has completed 66.8% of his throws for 1,497 yards, 11 TDs and 7 INTs.

Jonathan Taylor has 1,254 rushing yards (4.7 per) with 10 TDs and 11 carries of 20+ yards. Alec Pierce averages 21.9 yards per catch, with 6 TDs and 12 receptions of 20+ yards. Michael Pittman Jr. has 63 catches (11.7 yards per) and 3 TDs.

Zaire Franklin has 165 tackles, 10 for a loss. Kwity Paye has 7 sacks. Kenny Moore II has 3 interceptions, and Jaylon Jones has 12 passes defended. Matt Gay is 27-of-32 on field goals, perfect inside 50 yards, but 3-of-8 on tries of 50+.

Colts-Jaguars betting odds

via BetMGM

Favorite: Colts by 5 points

Colts are 9-7 against the spread; the Jaguars are 8-7-1 ATS.

Over/under: 44 total points

Eight Colts games have gone over, seven under, and one was a push; eight Jaguars games have gone over, eight under.

Moneyline: Colts -225, Jaguars +185

When do the Colts play the Jaguars in NFL Week 18?

1 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025, at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis

How to watch Colts vs Jaguars in NFL Week 18

Fox, with Jason Benetti (play-by-play), Brady Quinn (analysis) and Sarah Kustok (sideline reporting).

How to stream, watch Jaguars-Colts game for NFL Week 18

The Colts-Jaguars matchup will stream on the Fox Sports app at 1 p.m. ET Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025. The app is available in the Apple App Store or on Google Play. Fans can also download NFL+ in the Apple App Store or on Google Play.

How to listen to NFL Week 18 Jaguars-Colts game on radio, streaming

Radio: 93.5, 97.1, 107.5 FM in Indianapolis, with Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Rick Venturi (analysis) and Larra Overton (sideline reporting)

Streaming: SiriusXM Channels 228 and 813

What a deal!: Watch Colts-Titans on Fubo

Colts-Jaguars common opponents

The Colts (5-6) beat the Bears, the Titans twice, Jets and Patriots. They lost to the Texans twice, Packers, Vikings, Bills and Lions.

The Jaguars (3-9) beat the Patriots and the Titans twice. They lost to the Dolphins, Bills, Texans twice, Bears, Packers, Vikings, Lions and Jets.

The Jaguars beat the Colts 37-34 in Jacksonville on Oct. 6.

Colts-Jaguars at Lucas Oil Stadium

At Lucas Oil Stadium: Tickets start at $9 on StubHub

Colts 2024 schedule

all times ET

Sept. 8: Texans 29, Colts 27

Sept. 15: Packers 16, Colts 10

Sept. 22: Colts 21, Bears 16

Sept. 29: Colts 27, Steelers 24

Oct. 6: Jaguars 37, Colts 34

Oct. 13: Colts 20, Titans 17

Oct. 20: Colts 16, Dolphins 10

Oct. 27: Texans 23, Colts 20

Nov. 3: Vikings 21, Colts 13

Nov. 10: Bills 30, Colts 20

Nov. 17: Colts 28, Jets 27

Nov. 24: Lions 24, Colts 6

Dec. 1: Colts 25, Patriots 24

Dec. 15: Broncos 31, Colts 13

Dec. 22: Colts 38, Titans 30

Dec. 29: Giants 45, Colts 33

Jan. 5: vs. Jacksonville, 1 p.m., Fox

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Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin, MLB’s No. 1 prospect, opens season in Indy with Indians

Published

7 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin, MLB’s No. 1 prospect, opens season in Indy with Indians

INDIANAPOLIS — For the second time in three years, the biggest draw in minor league baseball has landed at Victory Field.

Konnor Griffin, MLB’s No. 1 prospect, nearly made Pittsburgh’s Opening-Day roster at the tender age of 19 years old, sparking the imagination of Pirates fans when he launched two home runs in the same Grapefruit League game in late February.

By all accounts, Pittsburgh considered bypassing the Triple-A level with Griffin altogether, keeping the young shortstop in major league camp until the final weekend of spring training.

But the Pirates ultimately decided Griffin needed to open the season with the Indians when they take on St. Paul at 6:35 p.m. Friday at Victory Field, turning Pittsburgh’s loss into a big gain for Indianapolis for the second time in three seasons.

Two years ago, the Pirates decided to ramp up superstar pitching prospect Paul Skenes slowly, a decision that gave fans in Indianapolis seven starts to see a pitcher who would almost immediately turn into one of the best pitchers in the game.

For longtime Indians broadcaster Howard Kellman, the chance to see Skenes and Griffin in Indianapolis uniforms in a span of three short years brought to mind the 1989 season, when future Hall of Famers Randy Johnson and Larry Walker played on the same Indians roster.

Griffin and Skenes obviously won’t play in Indianapolis together.

Their presence leaves an impact.

“That means a great deal,” legendary Indians broadcaster Howard Kellman said. “You’re looking at the stars of tomorrow.”

Griffin’s path to Indianapolis wasn’t like the one Skenes took to Victory Field.

Skenes was already battle-tested, a star who’d made his name pitching LSU to a College World Series title and a pitcher everybody knew was ready for the big leagues. The Pirates sent Skenes to Triple-A as part of an effort to ramp him up slowly, limiting the young pitcher’s innings in his rookie year.

Griffin still has something to prove.

Drafted out of high school with the No. 9 pick in 2024, Griffin shot up the prospect rankings by batting .333 and slugging .527 while going from Low-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro to 21 games with Double-A Altoona to end the 2025 season.

The raw tools are undeniable. The power that got the baseball world talking in February is accompanied with speed, good defense at shortstop and every other tool a team could want.

“Tremendous young man, very mature for his age, goes about his work the right way, goes about the game the right way, great with his teammates,” Indians manager Eric Patterson said.

But Griffin still has to improve his pitch recognition. Frustrated by the insane amounts of spin that big-league pitchers put on the baseball, Griffin hit .148 with 11 strikeouts in his final 10 games, 27 at-bats in total.

He wanted to make the big-league team, and he probably pressed a little.

“I’m at my best when I’m playing freely, playing fun, having a good time,” Griffin said. “I’m trying to get back to that, not worrying too much about the pressure outside.”

Griffin is also adjusting to life as baseball’s top prospect, a level of attention that essentially changed overnight. While he was obviously a top-10 pick in 2024, there were eight players taken ahead of him, including Oakland’s Nick Kurtz, who won the American League Rookie of the Year award.

A high school pick like Griffin is supposed to take a couple of years to develop into a top prospect, attention building along the way.

Griffin essentially went from a relative unknown to carrying the weight of Pittsburgh’s expectations in a span of about six months, although he’s adamant that the increased attention doesn’t affect him.

“It’s definitely internal,” Griffin said. “I don’t worry too much about the outside noise. I have high expectations for myself.”

Whatever the reason for Griffin’s slide in the final two weeks of spring training, he knows what he needs to change.

“Being thrown into the fire, facing those big-league arms, that was a good experience for me,” Griffin said.

Big-league pitchers are going to take advantage of a hitter who chases too many offerings outside the strike zone, and Griffin was swinging too much, uncharacteristic of a player whose on-base percentage was .415 across three levels last season.

“Take your walks, get on base, affect the game,” Griffin said. “Being patient, getting the right pitches to hit, not trying to do too much every time I go up to the plate.”

The paths Skenes and Griffin took to get to Indianapolis are different.

The goal, now that they’re here, is the same. Skenes was called up to the big leagues on May 8; Griffin wants to force the Pirates to bring him up to Pittsburgh as soon as possible.

“For all of these guys, you’re an injury away from the big leagues, you’re a sneeze off the field away from the big leagues,” Patterson said. “It’s about preparing these guys for when they get the call.”

The entire baseball world thought Griffin would get the call before his 20th birthday.

And there’s still time. Griffin doesn’t turn 20 until April 24th.

Better get out to Victory Field to catch a glimpse of baseball’s No. 1 prospect while he’s still here.

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Indianapolis, IN

Recorder Rewind; Indy Eleven defeats Detroit FC 2-1 (Photos) – Indianapolis Recorder

Published

19 hours ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Recorder Rewind; Indy Eleven defeats Detroit FC 2-1 (Photos) – Indianapolis Recorder

Indy Eleven got the win over Detroit FC 2-1 on March 21 in Indianapolis. Check out photos froms Walt Thomas below.

(Photo/Walt Thomas)

Indy Eleven versus Detroit FC soccer match in March of 2026 in Indianapolis. — (Photo/Walt Thomas)

For Indy Eleven tickets, visit indyeleven.com/tickets.

Multimedia Reporter Noral Parham compiled this gallery. Contact him at 317-762-7846 or email at noralp@indyrecorder.com. Follow him on X @3Noral.

For more Indy Eleven coverage, visit indianapolisrecorder.com.

Noral Parham is the multi-media reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder, one of the oldest Black publications in the country. Prior to joining the Recorder, Parham served as the community advocate of the MLK Center in Indianapolis and senior copywriter for an e-commerce and marketing firm in Denver.

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Indianapolis, IN

WISH-TV in San Jose with Purdue basketball

Published

1 day ago

March 24, 2026

Press Room

WISH-TV in San Jose with Purdue basketball

SAN JOSE, Calif. (WISH) — WISH-TV Sports Director Anthony Calhoun is in San Jose covering Purdue basketball in the NCAA Tournament.

Purdue will play Texas in the Sweet 16 on Thursday. If it wins that game, it will play the winner of Arizona and Arkansas in the Elite 8, with a chance to advance to the Final Four in Indianapolis.

Tune in to WISH-TV for live coverage starting on Wednesday in San Jose.

The Boilermakers are in the Sweet 16 for the third straight season. Tipoff against the Longhorns is scheduled for 7:10 ET on Thursday.

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