Jaguars Getting A Touchdown In Week 1 Against Colts

NFL News - September 7th, 2009 - Written by Jimmy

The AFC South comes right out of the gate with a great divisional matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Indianapolis Colts. This week 1 matchup has the Jaguars going on the road to take on the Colts in the still new Lucas Oil Stadium. Both Jacksonville and Indianapolis lost their openers in 2008, however one of them is assured a win in week 1 of the 2009 schedule. Seeing as how these teams are in the same division, they are both very familiar with the other. Last year, in week 3, the Jaguars stole a win from the Colts, by a score of 23-21. When week 16 rolled around, it was the Colts that returned the favor, winning in Jacksonville, by a final score of 31-24.

The Colts won 9 games in a row to end the 2008 season. Though Indianapolis failed to win the division, for the first time in many years, the Colts were able to secure a wild card berth before losing to the San Diego Chargers in the Playoffs. This year, Colts will be without long time head coach Tony Dungy, due to retirement, who was replaced by Jim Caldwell. Caldwell was already a part of Dungy's staff is used to the rhythm of the Colts locker room. As usual, Peyton Manning will be running the offense from the line of scrimmage, making the offensive coordinator position of the Indianapolis Colts one of the sweetest jobs in the NFL. Gone this year is long time receiver Marvin Harrison who was cut due to salary cap constraints. Harrison and Manning made the Colts into the offensive juggernaut they currently are, and will be missed. With Harrison gone, the offense will be directed to Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark down the middle. Joseph Addai will be joined by rookie RB, Donald Brown, in the 2009 Indianapolis Colts backfield. The Colts remain the same on defense being anchored by Dwight Freeney up front, and Bob Sanders patrolling the middle.

The 2008 version of the Jacksonville Jaguars was not very impressive. The Jaguars fell apart as injuries plagued the roster, in 2008. Head Coach, Jack Del Rio, seemingly lost control of the Jaguars for the first time in his coaching career. Del Rio has since vowed to turn the team around this season which would start with getting back to Jaguars' brand of football. Running the ball and playing solid defense will be instrumental to the Jaguars finding success in 2009. Things went wrong for the Jaguars, in 2008, by failing to play good defense. In 2008, the Jaguars allowed 22 points per game, good for a ranking of 22nd in the league. The Jaguars also failed to utilize their running capabilities in the form of Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor. Gone is Taylor, but back is Jones-Drew, who now has the spotlight to himself. David Garrard returns to take snaps and lead the offense as he looks to make a connect with free agent WR, Torry Holt. The Jags also bolstered the offensive line with the additions of OT Tra Thomas, and by drafting Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, in rounds 1 and 2 of the 2009 NFL Draft. The defense remains much the same with the exception of LB Mike Peterson and DB Drayton Florence.

To open the 2009 regular season, the Indianapolis Colts will be giving 7 points to the visiting Jaguars. Though the Jaguars managed to win a game against the Colts, in Indianapolis last year. Typically, the Jaguars play the Colts tough, probably better than any other team in the division against Indianapolis. Straight up, the Jaguars are looking at a payout of +280 compared to the -330 the Colts pay. Taking the Jaguars to win straight up can pay great, but could be a very risky proposition. As it stands now, oddsmakers have set the total at 44 points, with the Over and Under paying evenly. First half betting action has the Jaguars getting 4 of their 7 points for the game with a better than average payout of -105. 1st half totals for the Jags and Colts is predicted to be at 22 points, a dead split of the game total with both sides being even. Online sports betting sites have this game listed, as well as all the other NFL Week 1 betting lines, available now. Bettors can find these odds just about anywhere that accepts bets on NFL games.

Odds found at: Bodog, Bookmaker and DSI Sportsbooks

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