Week 1 staff predictions: Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

It's that time again for the experts of the Times-Union and our good friend from ESPN to put our necks on the line with our weekly predictions.

Last year, I was the only one out of the seven of us to finish about .500. I was 10-7.

Gene Frenette, Garry Smits, Juston Lewis and Clayton Freeman were all 8-9.

Demetrius Harvey and Mike DiRocco brought up the rear at 6-11.

To be fair, last year's Jaguars team was hard to predict. I was 2-4 after the first six weeks, and poor Demetrius was 0-6.

I started to flip a coin and my luck changed when the coin told me to take Denver in London. OK, not a great way to do it, but after that I started to do the George Costanza — I took the opposite of what I thought it would be.

I thought Dallas would win, so I took the Jaguars. I was right.

I thought the Ravens would win, so I took the Jaguars. I was right again!

This year, the team seems a little more clear-cut, but it IS the NFL, so it's hard to know what's going to happen.

The Jaguars open the season at Indianapolis as 3.5-point favorites. They face rookie QB Anthony Richardson and the Colts will be without star running back Jonathan Taylor. The game seems ripe for a Jags victory, but as I said earlier, you just never know. Let's see what our experts have to say.

DEMETRIUS HARVEY

Jaguars beat writer

Jaguars 35, Colts 14

I don't think the Colts really have much of a chance in this one. The team has a semi-brand-new coaching staff, a rookie quarterback and a star running back that won't see the field until at least Week 5, and that might be for another team. On the flip side, Jacksonville has the majority of its starters from last season returning with the addition of receiver Calvin Ridley in Year 2 under Doug Pederson and entering Trevor Lawrence's third year. The Jaguars would almost have to try to lose this one, and we have seen that happen before. Still, I'll stick with the hometown team this week.

Season: 0-0

MIKE DiROCCO

ESPN

Jaguars 31, Colts 10

The Jaguars have lost nine of their last 10 games at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the only victory being a 27-0 shutout in 2017. Trevor Lawrence starts his journey toward 5,000 yards with 300-plus yards and a couple of touchdowns, Calvin Ridley catches one of those TD passes, and Travis Etienne Jr. adds two TDs on the ground.

Season: 0-0

GENE FRENETTE

Times-Union Sports columnist

Jaguars 27, Colts 13

Everything about the game circumstances plays in the Jaguars' favor, starting with quarterback Anthony Richardson making his NFL debut for Indy and his best weapon, running back Jonathan Taylor, being out until Week 5. If the Jaguars adequately protect Trevor Lawrence and at least stay even in the turnover differential, this should be a fairly comfortable win.

Season: 0-0

GARRY SMITS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 23, Colts 13

Let's pump the brakes a little bit on some of these outlandish predictions of the Jags being a lock for the Super Bowl. Let's go through the formality of actually playing the games and it's worth noting the Jags have lost their last five games in Indianapolis.

Season: 0-0

JUSTON LEWIS

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 28, Colts 10

It was always the Jags.

Season: 0-0

CLAYTON FREEMAN

Times-Union Sports reporter

Jaguars 24, Colts 20

Jaguars losses in Indy aren't quite at the death-and-taxes level, but they've become an unpleasant habit for Jacksonville fans: five straight road defeats, including last year's Matt Ryan-to-Alec Pierce heartbreaker. But with question marks floating all around this year's Colts squad, expect Trevor Lawrence and the Jags to finally snap the streak.

Season: 0-0

TIM WALTERS

Times-Union Sports Editor

Jaguars 27, Colts 10

I'm a University of Florida grad and I watched enough of Anthony Richardson to know he's a physical freak, but I just don't think he's a great quarterback. He may prove me (and most everyone else) wrong, but being the best athlete doesn't translate to being the most talented player. And without his star running back, the Colts just don't have enough offense to defeat the Jaguars. On the other side, the Jaguars looked like a well-oiled machine in the preseason. Trevor Lawrence is in his second year in Doug Pederson's system, and his accuracy and smart play coupled with a trio of excellent receivers, a top-notch tight end and multiple talented running backs, make this seem like a good way to open the season for the Jags and their fans. They pull away after the half and cruise into Week 2 to open at home against the mighty Kansas City Chiefs. I'd also grab the under in this one. Right now the O/U is 43.5.

Season: 0-0

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Jaguars at Colts predictions: Florida Times-Union picks NFL Week 1 2023