So why are we previewing a totally meaningless game between Indianapolis and Jacksonville, two teams who have combined for six wins? Because of Andrew Luck. The Colts will get the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft if they lose and the chance to take Luck ? thus that could mean the end of Peyton Manning?s Hall of Fame career in Indy. The Colts also would get the top pick if they win and the Rams somehow upset San Francisco.
Two consecutive wins after an 0-13 start have left Indianapolis tied with St. Louis for the worst record in the league in the race for Luck. If the Colts and Rams finish tied, Indianapolis would ?win? the rights to the No. 1 pick in April?s draft based on the lower opposition winning percentage. Colts players have insisted they will play to win the game. Win or lose, Jacksonville is assured of a pick in the top eight.
Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew enters the game leading the league with 1,437 yards rushing, 128 ahead of LeSean McCoy. Jones-Drew has a good chance to secure his first career rushing title against the Colts? 29th-ranked run defense. He rushed for 114 yards and a TD in Jacksonville?s 17-3 win over Indianapolis in Week 10. If he does win the rushing title, Jones-Drew would become just the second player since 1995 to lead the league in rushing while having the NFL?s worst passing offense. Baltimore?s Jamal Lewis also did it in 2003.
As losers of five of their last six, there hasn?t been much to cheer about lately for the Jaguars. A win and a rushing title for Jones-Drew would be a pleasant send-off for outgoing owner Wayne Weaver, who officially hands control of the team over to Shahid Khan on Jan. 4.
Is this the final game in a Colts uniform for veteran mainstays WR Reggie Wayne, C Jeff Saturday and DE Robert Mathis? Each is in the final year of his contract, and a roster overhaul could be in the works after the Colts? worst season in over a decade. Wayne, who is 113 yards shy of his eighth consecutive 1,000-yard season, is second in franchise history in receptions (854), receiving yards (11,635) and TD catches (73). Mathis is second on the Colts? all-time sack list with 82.5. Saturday is fifth in Colts history with 196 games played.
WAGERWEB.COM LINE ? Jaguars by 3.5
RECORD VS. SPREAD ? Indianapolis 6-9; Jacksonville 5-9-1
SERIES RECORD ? Colts lead 15-6
LAST MEETING ? Jaguars beat Colts 17-3, Nov. 13
LAST WEEK ? Colts beat Texans 19-16; Jaguars lost to Titans 23-17
COLTS OFFENSE ? OVERALL (30), RUSH (24), PASS (27)
COLTS DEFENSE ? OVERALL (27), RUSH (29), PASS (22)
JAGUARS OFFENSE ? OVERALL (32), RUSH (13), PASS (32)
JAGUARS DEFENSE ? OVERALL (5), RUSH (11), PASS (7)
STREAKS, STATS AND NOTES ?Should Jaguars, who have had little success against Peyton Manning, tank in hopes of keeping Indy out of top draft spot? ?It?s just talk,? Jaguars RB Maurice Jones-Drew said. ?When I was in college (at UCLA), Stanford wasn?t all that anyways, so I don?t know what all the hype is. You know what I mean? I?m just saying.? ? Colts have won two in row, both at home and with QB Dan Orlovsky starting. Orlovsky threw for 326 yards, with two touchdowns and no interceptions in wins against AFC South opponents Tennessee and Houston. ? RB Donald Brown equally effective, running 27 times for 196 yards in those victories. ? WR Reggie Wayne needs 113 yards receiving to reach 1,000 for eighth consecutive season. Wayne has 1,599 yards receiving against Jacksonville, his most against any team. ? Jones-Drew needs 136 yards on ground to surpass Fred Taylor?s franchise record (1,572) set in 2003. Taylor texted MJD earlier in week, telling him to get it done. ? Jones-Drew has run for at least 84 yards in 14 of 15 games, but his season high is 122 against Carolina.
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