Welcome to Massive Cat Nation’s employees roundtable! This week, we’re previewing Week 18’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Indianapolis Colts in Lucas Oil Stadium.
The Jaguars are 4.5-point underdogs, based on FanDuel Sportsbook.
Query 1: Are you rooting for one more win or the next draft decide?
Travis Holmes: I’m not a believer of “studying the best way to win” or rollover wins, personally. The NFL doesn’t function like a 90s cellular phone plan. With that in thoughts, I’m passionately rooting for a ten+ level loss by Jacksonville on Sunday. I’m a fan of something occurring to get the appropriate folks in place for a affluent future for this entrance workplace and roster.
Gus Logue: Within the phrases of Al Davis: “Simply win, child.” Draft order shouldn’t matter a lot to Jacksonville since they have already got a franchise quarterback and aren’t in competition to land the primary general decide. It’s extra necessary for present Jaguars gamers to style one other victory and carry some momentum into the offseason.
Henry Zimmer: At this level, I’m rooting for a win. What’s the distinction at this level? The Jags don’t want a QB so that they don’t essentially must be drafting terribly excessive to get a sport altering participant. Beat a division opponent on the street to shut this yr, fear about all the things else later.
Query 2: When you might ‘steal’ a participant from the Colts and place them on the Jaguars’ FUTURE roster, who would it not be?
Travis: Give me the game-wrecking inside defensive sort out DeForest Buckner and his 6.5 sacks in 2024 to assist Jacksonville shore up its’ entrance 4. Whereas I do know he’s 30 years outdated, he’s nonetheless the man that offensive models should concentrate on and would fill a reasonably sizable want for this Jaguars’ protection in 2025.
Gus: I’d go along with their 2024 first-round decide, Laiatu Latu. The UCLA product ranks top-30 amongst 121 qualifying edge defenders this yr in quarterback hits, move rush win fee and PFF move rush grade. Latu is already a starting-caliber participant and he’d present much-needed depth behind Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker in Jacksonville.
Henry: Zaire Franklin YOU are a Jacksonville Jaguar on this hypothetical. A linebacking core constructed between Franklin and Foye Oluokun would do some critical work.
Query 3: Who would be the greatest X-factor on Sunday?
Travis: Magic Michael McCorkle Jones can be Sunday’s X-factor. Magic Mike can be dealing with a Gus Bradley protection that’s coming off of per week the place they simply allowed Drew Lock to conjure up Buffalo Payments’ Josh Allen vibes for the lowly New York Giants to the tune of 309 yards, 5 whole touchdowns, and no interceptions on 23 passing makes an attempt. If there’s ever per week for Mac to pad his resume for 2025 job purposes this could positively be the week.
Gus: Whoever fits up at quarterback for the Colts. Joe Flacco will seemingly begin a second straight sport rather than Anthony Richardson, who’s coping with again ache. The Jaguars should restrict explosive move performs no matter who strains up underneath heart. That method, they’ll give attention to taking away the true X-factor of Sunday’s sport, Jonathan Taylor.
Henry: At this level, the most important X-Issue have to be Brian Thomas Jr. If Mac Jones can get him the ball early and sometimes, just like the workforce has in latest weeks, there isn’t a purpose the Jags can’t beat the Colts once more.
Ultimate rating prediction?
Travis: Jaguars 24, Colts 17
Gus: Colts 16, Jaguars 13
Henry: Jaguars 21, Colts 20
What are your Week 18 predictions, Jaguars followers? Tell us within the feedback!