Indianapolis Colts (1-2 SU, 1-2 ATS) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3 SU, 1-2 ATS)
NFL Week 4
Date/Time: Sunday, October 2, 2016 at 9:30 AM EST
Where: Wembley Stadium, London, United Kingdom
TV: NFL Network
by Keith, Expert Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: IND 2.5/JAX +2.5
Over/Under Total: 49.5
The NFL is heading across the pond for another installment of The International Series as the Indianapolis Colts (1-2) will square off with the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-3) in an AFC South clash at Wembley Stadium in London, England. The game will kick off at 9:30 AM on the East Coast with airings on the NFL Network. In their last meeting, the Jags hung 51 points on the Colts in a 51-16 rout in November of 2015. The Colts finally earned their first win of the regular season after they slithered by San Diego 26-22, last Sunday. As for the Jaguars they have yet to win a game this year and bitter loss to Baltimore by a score of 19-17 serves a testimony for the sour grapes the Jags are currently sipping on.
The Jaguars actually as bizarre as it may sound have a bit of a home-field advantage in this one in spite of jet lag and the transatlantic flight that awaits them. The Jaguars regularly visit the United Kingdom and there are talks that if the NFL were to expand globally, Jacksonville would be the prime candidate to re-locate to London be that they have established a rapport and conversely fail to sell in their home town in Florida.
Andrew Luck has been as good of a quarterback as he could be, season to date but the Colts have not been able to keep up with the competition. The Colts have been outgunned by both the Detroit Lions and Denver Broncos and both these results were fostered away from Lucas Oil Stadium in Indy. Now, the Colts are back on the road again if you will with a 3,000 plus mile journey and five-hour time difference to contend with. The point spread in this game is accurate, the Jaguars actually have a competitive edge even if they have yet to notch their first victory this season.
Let us not forget one other key component: Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. We would be remiss to mention that these two playmakers have each gone for over 1,000 receiving yards last year and were the first duo to do so since the Jags had Keenan McCardell and Jimmy Smith on their depth chart, way back when. The Jaguars have true vertical deep threats that can test this Colts defense often and that was the very reason they fell to the Lions in the stunning Opening Day upset. The Colts defense was dissected. This can be a very grisly notion considering the drafting of former UFC quarterback Blake Bortles has since been yielding dividends for the Jaguars. There is without question, the Jags are a team on the rise and this contest sets up Jacksonville to take yet another step further in asserting their will as an up and coming NFL franchise.
We are going to go ahead and play on previous success and familiarity with the venue of this play favoring Jacksonville. Let us reiterate that this franchise put up 51 points on Indianapolis, the last time they met and regardless of who is at quarterback, that kind of number will not win any games. The Jags have the beans and toast to pull of their first victory and climb back in to the wide-open AFC South race. If at nothing else, the Jaguars with the points is the call. For those looking for a play to accompany this market, the over in this game may be worth a look as well as this one will be all offense with the defenses left on the other side of the Atlantic. In last years game we saw over 60 total points accumulated on the field of play and markets are asking for far less than this time around. While last years outing may seem like a bit of a one hit wonder, if these offenses get going as stated the defenses will not even have any impact in this affair. Both offensive units have more than enough talent to go around and in shootouts, taking the points is always an optimal play as well.
KEITHs Pick to Cover the Point Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars +2.5
Bet this game at an online sportsbook where your credit card WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a giant 100% sign-up bonus up to $1000 in FREE cash! –> MyBookie!
