The Jacksonville Jaguars had their bye week in the middle of the season, after their first eight games. During that stretch, the team went 2-6, including going just 1-5 under rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert. The Jaguars do have one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL behind Maurice Jones-Drew, who typically has monster games against the Indianapolis Colts. After playing the top ranked defenses through the last few weeks, Gabbert and the Jaguars offense will look to pick up the pace, after being one of the worst offenses in the NFL during the first half of the season.
The Colts on the other hand just can't seem to get right as they stand. Quarterback Curtis Painter has given it a valiant effort, but the Colts offense looks completely lost without Peyton Manning at the helm. The Colts have focused more on their rushing attack this season, but even still their offense has struggled. The Colts defense has been problematic as well. A defense built on speed and to play with a lead is now having to play with an offense that is ineffective and playing catch up, while teams just pound the football.
Here is what OddsShark has to say about the game:
OddsShark Staff - It might be the best chance for an Indianapolis victory in 2011 as the proud franchise stumbles winless into the second half of the season at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars.The Colts opened as small 3-point home underdogs against a Jags team coming off its bye week. Jacksonville has trended UNDER in that situation lately, going 4-1 past 5 seasons after a BYE.However, head to head, these teams have played mostly OVERs (6-1 past 7 meetings). This game represents the first time in three years that the Jaguars have been road favorites and they come in on a 6-game road losing skid.Colts backers don't find much comfort in these trends - they are just 2-8 ATS in their past 10 home games and they have lost 11 straight SU as an NFL underdog.
This game really doesn't have much bearing on the AFC South race, but it could spark a turn around for either team. The Colts can get their first win and the Jaguars offense could turn a corner and finally help out a defense that's been one of the best in the NFL.
Mark your calendars, because this is the first time the Jaguars have been road favorites over the Colts in a long, long time.
Official Prediction: Jacksonville 24, Colts 9