In need of a win, the Indianapolis Colts are on the road in Week 14 for a pivotal divisional matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Both teams will enter this game at 8-4, and the winner will have sole possession of first place in the division with only four games to go.
For a closer look at this Jaguars team, here are three things to know, plus a prediction.
Player to know: WR Jakobi Meyers
The Jaguars acquired Meyers prior to the trade deadline in a deal with the Raiders, and he has made an immediate impact.
In four games, Meyers has been extremely reliable, catching 18-of-21 passes for 245 yards with two touchdowns. Meyers is also a willing run-blocker and has been quite effective over the middle of the field.
The Jaguars’ running game
Last week, Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars’ passing game shouldered the workload on offense against Tennessee. But for the most part, success for this unit begins with the run game.
For one, a good run game keeps an opponent ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations. But when it comes to the Liam Coen offense, the running game and passing game concepts go hand-in-hand and build off each other.
Jaguars’ pass rush is picking up steam
For a large portion of the season, the Jaguars struggled to get after the quarterback consistently. But in recent weeks, Jacksonville has been quite good at applying pressure.
Josh Hines-Allen and Arik Armstead have both been highly productive, but this increased production is a group effort as well. Having linebacker Devin Lloyd back has helped, while defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile is willing to blitz or use simulated pressures to throw different looks at opposing offenses.
The coverage on the back end has been more sticky as well, which provides the pass rush some additional time to get home.
Colts vs. Jaguars prediction
Pete Prisco of CBS Sports is picking the Jaguars to win this game, 21-17.
“The Colts have lost three of four and they now trail the Jaguars in the AFC South race,” wrote Prisco. “The Colts haven’t won in Jacksonville since 2014, which is hard to believe. The Colts love to run the ball, but the Jaguars are No. 1 in run defense. That will put it on Daniel Jones, who is limited with a broken fibula. I don’t think he can win it , while Trevor Lawrence will make plays against the Sauce Gardner-less defense. Jaguars win it.”
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: Colts vs. Jaguars: 3 things to watch for plus a prediction
