The Colts are heading into Jacksonville with their season teetering, and the betting market is not exactly rushing to back them. FanDuel Sportsbook has Indianapolis as a +7.5-point underdog, with the money line sitting at +330 and the over/under set at 46.5.
That line reflects a team that has slipped to 2-5 and is desperate to stop the slide before it gets any worse. The Colts had chances last week in Minnesota, where they opened up a seven-point lead early and looked like they had the right formula with a productive running game.
Their defense did enough to keep them in it, too. But two missed kicks from Spencer Shrader loomed large in another loss that could have gone the other way.
Now comes another tough spot, and another opponent with extra time to prepare. This is the second straight week the Colts are facing a team coming off its bye.
Jacksonville is coming off a home loss to the Texans, a game that turned into a wild fourth-quarter shootout. Trevor Lawrence threw for more than 300 yards and accounted for four touchdowns, but Houston still walked out with the win after tying the game late and then driving for the game-winner.
The Jaguars have had two weeks to sit with that defeat, and they’ll be looking to unload it on Indianapolis. The Colts, meanwhile, are trying to keep their season from unraveling. Another loss could spark a fire sale and effectively close the book on the year before the halfway point.
Jacksonville has a chance to widen the gap in the division, while Indianapolis is trying to find any kind of foothold. For the Colts, this is the kind of game they have to have.
In Other News...
Anthony Richardson Just Added To The Colts Biggest Uncertainty
The Colts were already dealing with one of the leagues more watchful quarterback situations, and Anthony Richardson Sr. has now added another layer of uncertainty off the field. The backup passer was charged with misdemeanor marijuana possession after a traffic stop in Carmel, Indiana, putting an unwelcome spotlight on a player whose role has already carried plenty of attention in Indianapolis.
Richardson briefly addressed the matter, calling it an ongoing legal issue and offering no regret when asked about it. The Colts said they are gathering information and will let the legal process play out, with any possible league discipline expected only after that is resolved. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Kicking Nightmare Came Down To One Costly Breakdown
Spencer Shraders rough afternoon at U.S. Bank Stadium left the Colts staring at a kicking problem they could not afford. The placekicker missed two field goals in Week 7, including a long try from 56 yards in the third quarter, and afterward he did not duck the frustration that came with it. Shrader said he felt responsible for the loss and pointed to his own process as the issue, a reminder that even one off day can swing a game when special teams become part of the story.
Luke Rhodes, meanwhile, made clear the Colts are not ready to give up on him. The long snapper backed his teammate after the game, offering confidence despite the missed kicks and the sudden spotlight that followed a breakdown in a phase the Colts usually count on for stability. For a team trying to keep its footing, the concern is not just what went wrong in Minnesota, but how quickly it can be fixed. [Read more 🡒]
Anthony Richardson Is Running Out Of Chances To Save His NFL Future
Anthony Richardson entered the league with the kind of ceiling teams spend years chasing, but three seasons in Indianapolis have left the Colts still waiting for the refinement that was supposed to come with time. The 2023 fourth overall pick has flashed the arm strength and athleticism that made him such a tantalizing prospect, yet injuries and inconsistency have followed him through 17 appearances, along with a 50.6% completion rate and a struggle to keep the offense on schedule.
Indianapolis has already moved on in practice and planning with Daniel Jones, which only sharpens the question around Richardsons place in the organization. The talent is still there, and so is the possibility that another team could believe it can unlock him, but the same issues have defined his career so far: accuracy, footwork and decision-making. At this point, the Colts need more than upside from a quarterback who has spent most of his first three years trying to prove he can become the player they drafted. [Read more 🡒]