Jaguars at Colts: Battle between first-round QBs with Trevor Lawrence vs. Anthony Richardson
When: Sunday, 1 p.m.
Where: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis.
TV: FOX-30.
Radio: 1010-AM, 92.5-FM; Spanish, 930 AM/97.3 FM via Accion; Sirius XM Channel 94 or 390.
Streaming
2022 Records: Jaguars 9-8, Colts 4-12-1.
Odds: Jaguars minus-5; over/under 46.5.
Injuries: Jaguars — S Antonio Johnson (hamstring), out; DE Tyler Lacy (hip), out. Colts — RB Zack Moss (forearm), questionable.
Series history: The Colts lead 27-17 and are 17-5 at home. The Jaguars are on a five-game losing streak at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Last meeting: The Colts won 34-27 on Oct. 16, 2022.
About the Jaguars
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence has torched the Colts more than any AFC South opponent in two years. He has a 70.5 completion percentage, his best against a division foe, and has thrown for 785 yards, five touchdowns and no interceptions. His passer rating against the Colts is 102.4.
The Jaguars had three receivers who caught 70 or more passes last season, WR Zay Jones (82), WR Christian Kirk (84) and TE Evan Engram (73). The Jags were one of only two teams in the NFL to have three players with 70-or-more receptions in a season and it was the first time in franchise history that three players had 70 or receptions in a season.
Now, add WR Calvin Ridley to that mix. Ridley will be playing for the first time since 2021 and had 90 receptions for 1,374 yards and nine touchdowns in 2020, his last full season.
About the Colts
The Anthony Richardson era begins. The Colts took a huge gamble drafting the University of Florida quarterback with the No. 4 overall pick. He started only 13 college games and played in 24 and had a career completion percentage of 54.7. But the size (6 feet 4, 245 pounds) can't be coached and physical skills can be breathtaking.
New coach Shane Steichen knows a thing or two about developing quarterbacks. He was the Chargers quarterback coach and offensive coordinator and worked with Phillip Rivers and Justin Herbert and the last two years helped develop Jalen Hurts as the Eagles' offensive coordinator. He's been at the tiller for offenses with pocket passers and mobile quarterbacks, which should be a plus for Richardson.
The Colts have had only two players on the injury list this week but they have eight on injured reserve, including two defensive ends, Gerard Avery and Titus Leo.
Key Matchup
Jaguars safety Rayshawn Jenkins vs. Colts QB Anthony Richardson
The Jags may use Jenkins to pay special attention to designed runs by Richardson, or "off-schedule" runs. Jenkins had a knack for big plays at the right time on opposing quarterbacks last year, from three interceptions (one returned for a touchdown in overtime against Dallas) and the hit he put on Joshua Dobbs of Tennessee that forced a fumble that Josh Allen scooped up and scored.
Jenkins was one of the best safeties in the NFL last season in terms of playing the pass and the run. He's one of only three players to have more than 100 tackles (116) and more than 10 passes defensed (12). He had five PDs in the two games against the Colts in 2022.
Richardson is a load to bring down. He had accuracy issues in two preseason games, completing 13 of 29 (44.8) but gained 45 yards on seven carries (6.4 per carry).
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars at Colts: NFL season opens with matchup of young quarterbacks
