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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.
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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