The Indianapolis Colts are on a mission to end their season on a high note as they host the Jacksonville Jaguars at home for Week 18. After losing to the lowly New York Giants in Week 17, the Colts were eliminated from playoff contention, and are hoping to avoid another embarrassing loss against an opponent that, on the surface, they should easily defeat.
Yet the Jaguars, a long-time divisional rival, tend to cause problems for the Colts, particularly when playing in Jacksonville. The Colts can't afford to be cavalier in this game, especially not when their regime is in such turmoil. Head coach Shane Steichen will surely be looking to prove that he should stay with the team for the 2025 season, while for general manager Chris Ballard, it may be too late.
Starting quarterback Anthony Richardson has already been ruled out for Week 18, after he said he was experiencing severe back spasms due to a disc issue, which was so bad that he reportedly couldn't walk. That means backup QB Joe Flacco will take the field again; he also played against the Jaguars earlier this season, in which the Colts lost in a major upset.
In that game, Flacco played well enough, though he was sacked numerous times. He threw 33 out of 44, for an astonishing 359 yards and an 81.0 quarterback rating.
The Colts are favored to win this game, though they were also favored to win other games that they lost in embarrassing fashion (cough, Week 17). Can they redeem themselves from that humiliation? Or will it be another defeat to ring the death knell for this beleaguered Indianapolis team?
Colts inactives for Week 18
- Anthony Richardson
- Isaiah Land
- Will Mallory
- Camerone McGrone
- Dalton Tucker
Jaguars inactives for Week 18
- Walker Little
- Josh Hines-Allen
- Ronald Darby
- Ventrell Miller
- Esezi Otomewo
- Tyler Lacy