It has been a long time since the Colts won in Jacksonville. Too long…
What is the confidence level that the Indianapolis Colts can pull off a victory in week five on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars? Let’s break this down by a list of pros and cons heading into the matchup.
Pros:
The Colts have won two games in a row.
The defense is looking better, especially against the run.
While we don’t know who the quarterback will be, Anthony Richardson looked extremely sharp in the first quarter against the Steelers, and Joe Flacco filled in impressively.
The Jaguars haven’t won a game yet this season.
Trevor Lawrence looks quite pedestrian. His early season regression could continue against the Colts.
Cons:
The game is in Jacksonville.
Did you think the con list would be longer…?
The Colts don’t win in Jacksonville. They just don’t. It has been ten years without a victory and the players, coaches, and team records haven’t matter. If the Colts aren’t playing the Jaguars at home, they haven’t had much of a chance. Think of everything that has changed for both squads over the last ten years. None of it has mattered. None of it.
Because of that, my confidence meter is at a two. Can the Colts win on Sunday? Absolutely. Reference the above pros to see exactly why. Ordinarily, and against any other team, I would say the odds are in their favor. Not against the Jaguars in Jacksonville though. There is something that defies logic about this matchup. Even when the Jaguars win one game a year, it comes against the Colts. That is truly remarkable.
At this point, I prefer heading into the game with lowered expectations. The Colts are 2-2 and winning this week could do wonders for the rest of the season. We have been here before though. Whether it is the first or the last game of the season. Whether there is nothing on the line or everything. Whether the Colts are favored or the underdog. The result has been the same. I am hoping and cheering for a Colts win. Don’t get me wrong. Just don’t expect me to believe it until I see it.
