Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts: Score for score

To tank or not to tank

Everybody loves to talk about tanking and future draft picks in the NFL but we rarely see it happen as often as in the NBA for example. It is simply too of a cutthroat business. If you don't win as a coach/executive, you get fired. If you don't produce on the field and put some solid tape out there as a player, you'll get cut and pack groceries in time when next season starts. That is why I'm always a bit skeptical to believe in these "they are going to tank the season" theories.

Lawrence and Fields are tempting prizes as consensus top picks in the next year's draft, but I still don't believe that any team will let opponents run them over on purpose. Getting mauled in dragged around in a football is not a fun thing to do and I'm sure players and coaching staff will still do their best to win the games. Front office did some moves that were saying: " We are ready for a major overhaul". They traded Ramsay last year. They traded Ngakoue this year. They cut Leonard Fournette and let go of some other important players like Calais Cambell, AJ Bouye and Malik Jackson. Still, bunch of those guys were troublemakers (except Cambell and Bouye maybe). So they had to clean out their locker room because their productivity on the field was not compensating for their off the field tantrums, as it did earlier in their careers.

Brissett not good enough anymore.

After saying so many praises about how Jacoby Brissett can handle the starting role, Colts ate their word and brought Philipp Rivers in the free agency to help them out. Rivers is well past his prime. The arm strength is not there anymore, but he will mightly appreciate the surrounding cast in Indianapolis. Especially all the talent on the offensive line that is going to keep him upright, something he didn't really have often while playing for the Chargers.

Rivers was not the only pricey acquisition by the Colts in the offseason. They also brought DeForest Buckner from San Franciso in exchange for a first-round pick and immediately signed him to an extension that will pay him 84 million over the next 4 years. He will help them solidify that defensive front, but overall, I still think they are not that great defensively. They lack some pass rush on the edges I believe and there are a lot of questions surrounding that secondary. Kenny Moore will handle those nickel duties, but what can Xavier Rhodes bring to the table, after getting released by the Vikings. And how will Rock Ya-Sin do in his sophomore season, as a starter?

Jaguars vs Colts betting tips

I kinda gave away which way I'm going with my first pick. With Colts defense being a little bit overrated IMHO, I think we will see a high scoring affair here. This Jacksonville offense is being overlooked. People are forgetting that this OL hasn't been healthy for a long time now, which really hurt them last season. I am especially excited about seeing this interior lead by Norwell and Linder, who were paid top dollar in previous years. This is a good opportunity to show what this group can really do, and I think they will be able to trade score for score with the Indianapolis offense.

Second bet, I am going with Marlon Mack over rushing yards. This Jags defense didn't shine defending the run last year, and I can't see them improving in this area after losing Calais Campbell. Everybody was expecting that Mack is going to be replaced by rookie Jonathan Taylor, which is probably true. But it's going to happen next year, when Mack exits his rookie deal. Right now, he's just too good to get pushed out by the rookie. Reports from the camp were that Taylor is probably going to be in a relief role. Not getting a 50/50 carries share. But just getting a couple of series in, to keep Mack fresh for the 4th quarter.

And the third bet is one Chris Thompson over receiving yards. One of the best pass-catching backs in the league in my opinion. Reunited with Jay Gruden, under whom he had best seasons in Washington. No competition for 3rd down duties, because Ogunbawale was signed just recently and probably hasn't learned offense yet. He might even get some work on early downs instead of rookie Robinson, if Colts justify their 8-point favorite role and get a nice lead going into the second half.