JACKSONVILLE – Each week during the 2024 season, Jaguars "experts" – Tony Boselli, Frank Frangie, Jeff Lageman, Brent Martineau, John Oehser, Brian Sexton, J.P. Shadrick and Kainani Stevens – will analyze the following day's Jaguars matchup.
Up this week:
Tony Boselli, Pro Football Hall of Famer, Former Jaguars Left Tackle and Jaguars Analyst
- The Jaguars will win if: They stop the run and give great effort.
- The Colts will win if: They run the ball and give great effort.
- As Boselli sees it: This has been a tough season for the Jaguars, and has fallen short of all expectations. However, it's a new year and the Jaguars get the first of many wins in 2025 … 24-17.
Frank Frangie, Radio Voice of the Jaguars
- The Jaguars will win if: Jones continues his improved play. He has seemed to find more of a rhythm each week. If they continue to find a way to get the ball in Thomas' hands. Defensively, they must somehow contain Taylor, even if it means stacking the box. He is the key to the Colts' offense.
- The Colts will win if*:* They get Taylor going offensively. And defensively, they must play better than last week, when the Giants gutted them. They have to somehow rediscover some confidence defensively.
- As Frangie sees it: If the Jags could get off to a good start, the Colts could really struggle. They must have some confidence issues after last week and could hear some boos if they get behind early. If that happens, the Jags will go on to win.
Jeff Lageman, Jaguars Analyst and Former Jaguars Defensive End
- The Jaguars will win if*:* They play in similar fashion to last week's win against Tennessee. Jacksonville protected the football, got a takeaway, performed in the red zone and overall played complementary football. The team is not good enough to win without these elements together.
- The Colts will win if*:* Taylor controls the tempo of the game. Taylor has 343 yards rushing with five touchdowns in the last two games. Flacco provides balance to the offense and makes it difficult to load up the box to stop the run. Play action passes are a major factor with Taylor running loose.
- As Lageman sees it: The finish line is in sight and the Jaguars have had a disappointing season,but can have a positive note to finish on by sweeping the Colts. The Titans have already been swept and the Jaguars have an opportunity to finish with a winning record in the AFC South. However, this last game plays out for the Colts and Jaguars may be of little interest to many fans of either team. Clarity on the future is what they seek.
Brent Martineau, Action Sports Jax Sports Director
- The Jaguars will win if: They hold Taylor under 100 yards. Taylor didn't play in the teams' first meeting, but he has had a really nice season with over 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns rushing. Taylor has three straight games over 100 yards, including 218 a couple of weeks ago in a victory over the Titans. The Jaguars must contain the talented back.
- The Colts will win if: They get a turnover. The Jaguars average less than a turnover forced per game, so winning there is easy against Jacksonville. Jones hasn't thrown an interception for the last couple of weeks. One turnover will be enough for the Colts to win a home game to end the season.
- As Martineau sees it: If Indianapolis had a lot to play for this week, I would like the Jaguars inthis one. The Colts are really good at wasting playoff opportunities. They did that last week. I think Indy is going to find a way to win this one. The Jags will finish the season 4-13 with a 23-17 loss to the Colts.
John Oehser, jaguars.com Senior Writer
- The Jaguars will win if: They hit two big plays to wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and avoid turnovers. Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones has done a nice job managing games safely in recent weeks. If he can mix a giveaway-free game with hitting Thomas for points-producing plays, the Jaguars have a big advantage.
- The Colts will win if: They run effectively and force Jones into mistakes. Taylor has been explosive and efficient in recent weeks, with the Jaguars struggling against the run. If he controls the clock and Jones is mistake-prone, that's a tough combination for a struggling Jaguars offense.
- As Oehser sees it: The Jaguars have played with fight and professionalism since being eliminated from the postseason with five games remaining. The Colts were eliminated from the postseason, which could make motivation for the home team an issue.
Brian Sexton, jaguars.com Senior Correspondent
- The Jaguars will win if*:* They can run and stop the run. They must run to help a beat-up offensive line keep the Colts' defensive line at bay. We didn't see the best of the Colts against the Jaguars n October – and while their numbers this season aren't spectacular, guys like DeForest Buckner, Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo can wreak havoc if you don't slow them down. Similarly, the Jaguars didn't see Colts running back Jonathan Taylor in the first match-up – and if the last two weeks are indication, he's playing as well as he did in 2021 when he was a first-team All Pro selection and led the NFL in rushing yards. It comes down to the basics for the Jaguars this week.
- The Colts will win if: Taylor has a big day. They let Tennessee Titans running back Tyjae Spears run wild last week, and there is no reason to think a defense that has allowed 130 yards rushing per game this season and hasn't tackled well can shut Taylor down. If he gets loose, the Colts will be in great shape in Indy.
- As Sexton sees it: This is a tough matchup for the Jaguars. The Colts lost to the New York Giants Sunday - and that has to have created some sense of anger or resolve in their locker room. The Jaguars' defense has been porous all season long and if Joe Flacco is the Colts' quarterback, he can pick the Jaguars apart. If Anthony Richardson is the Colts' quarterback, he can make theJaguars pay with his mobility. The matchups favor the Colts. It will take the Jaguars' best game on the final day of the season to have a chance to win.
J.P. Shadrick, jaguars.com Senior Reporter
- The Jaguars will win if: They can win the turnover battle and finish with touchdowns. Keep feeding Thomas. If the Jags hang onto the football and don't turn it over, that would help.
- The Colts will win if: Taylor gets loose. If the Colts are running it at will, then it could be tough for the Jags offense to see the field as much. If the Colts get a couple takeaways off the Jaguars offense, it could be a long day.
- As Shadrick sees it: We have arrived at Week 18. The Colts gave up a 40-burger to the Giants last week – even with their playoff lives on the line. The scene at Lucas Oil Stadium should be nice and quiet for a Jags team that continues to fight to the end. Run the offense efficiently. Cover the opponent's receivers in key moments late in the game. Don't line up offside. Finish the game. Finish the season. No overtime, for the love of everything, just end it in regulation and let's move on to the offseason.
Kainani Stevens, Jaguars Team Reporter
- The Jaguars will win if: They come out with the same effort we have seen throughout the season. The Jags have many issues, but effort has not been one of them. The Colts laid an egg last week against the Giants. If Jacksonville comes out of the gate strong on Sunday, I don't think that Indy will put up much of a fight.
- The Colts will win if: Taylor runs wild. The Jaguars' defense has struggled against some quality running backs this season and Taylor is certainly capable of an explosive game. Taylor may also be motivated and aiming for some incentives and benchmarks in his final game of the season.
- As Stevens sees it: This is a matter of who actually wants to play in this game. Nothing to play for but personal pride and perhaps future contracts. I think Jones gets the Jags one final win for the road.
Fit Check: Going out with a bang.👏 The Jaguars will end the 2024 regular season in Indianapolis in white jerseys, black pants and white socks for Week 18. 🖤
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
WR Brian Thomas Jr. (7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
TE Evan Engram (17)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
WR Christian Kirk (13)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
RB Tank Bigsby (4)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
LB Devin Lloyd (33)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
S Andre Cisco (5)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
DE Josh Hines-Allen (41)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
P Logan Cooke (9)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
CB Jarrian Jones (22)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Buffalo Bills
QB Trevor Lawrence (16)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tennessee Titans
WR Tim Jones (15)
Last full practice week of the 2024 regular season. 🏈 Check out practice photos from the Miller Electric Center as the Jaguars prepare to head to Indianapolis for the Colts game in Week 18!
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Javon Foster (62) and Mitch Morse (65) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive line coach/run game coordinator Phil Rauscher and offensive lineman Javon Foster (62) and during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) and defensive tackle Esezi Otomewo (90) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Myles Gaskin (38) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) and running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback John Wolford (18) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Tank Bigsby (4) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back D'Ernest Johnson (2) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) and quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars outside linebackers coach Bill Shuey during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Antonio Johnson (26) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterback Mac Jones (10) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) and kicker Cam Little (39) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Joe Gaziano (97) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars running back Keilan Robinson (31) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Foyesade Oluokun (23) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars punter Logan Cooke (9) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars quarterbacks coach Mike McCoy during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars wide receiver Louis Rees-Zammit (84) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Caleb Johnson (57) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle Maason Smith (94) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Chad Muma (48) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 1, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive linemen Tyler Shatley (69), Luke Fortner (79), Cole Van Lanen (70) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25) and safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive end Arik Armstead (91) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Ezra Cleveland (76) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Montaric Brown (30) and safety Andrew Wingard (42) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd (33) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive lineman Tyler Shatley (69) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars linebacker Yasir Abdullah (56) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Brenton Strange (85) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars safety Daniel Thomas (20) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars tight end Luke Farrell (89) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (3) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars cornerback De'Antre Prince (24) and safety Matthew Jackson (35) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
Jacksonville, Fla. — Jaguars defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton (52) during practice at the Miller Electric Center on January 2, 2025.
