Colts at Jaguars
1 p.m. ET | CBS
Matchup rating: 24.9 | Spread: IND -8 (45)
What to watch for: The Jaguars have always had trouble with Philip Rivers. The quarterback is 7-2 against them -- completing 69.4% of his passes for 2,668 yards and 24 TDs with only five interceptions -- and he has led his team to at least 31 points in six of the seven victories. Rivers is 38 and has slowed a bit, but he'll be facing a young, unproven Jaguars defense. The Jags have one rookie cornerback (CJ Henderson) starting, and five of the team's 11 defensive backs are rookies. The only proven pass-rusher on the roster is Josh Allen, and the interior of the defensive line has been ravaged by injuries and retirements. -- Mike DiRocco
Bold prediction: The Colts will have more than 175 yards rushing. The Jaguars are in rebuilding mode, and the Colts are coming off a 2019 season in which they were seventh in the NFL in rushing. So what better way to show that their success isn't predicated on Rivers' right arm than by having running backs Marlon Mack and rookie Jonathan Taylor rushing behind one of the league's best offensive lines, led by All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. -- Mike Wells
Stat to know: The Jaguars have won five straight home games against the Colts after going 4-10 in their first 14 home games versus Indianapolis in franchise history. And the Colts have lost six straight season openers, tied with the Bears for the longest active streak in the NFL.
What to know for fantasy: Over the past five seasons, Rivers averages 21 fantasy points in Week 1 and 16.4 in all other games. He faces a Jags team that allowed the sixth-most yards per pass attempt last season (7.9) and allowed the fifth-most big pass plays (30-plus yards gained). See Week 1 rankings.
Betting nugget: The Colts are the fifth team since 1970 to be favored by a TD or more in Week 1 after missing the playoffs the year before. The other four teams went 0-4 ATS. Read more.
Wells' pick: Colts 31, Jaguars 13
DiRocco's pick: Colts 28, Jaguars 17
FPI prediction: IND, 66.0% (by an average of 6 points)
Matchup must-reads: Mack-Taylor RB tandem fits Colts, not fantasy football ... Jaguars choosing committee approach over featured role at running back ... Colts 2020 season preview: Colts trying to keep pressure off Rivers ... Jaguars, banged up at RB, add ex-Buccaneer Ogunbowale ... Colts make Kelly NFL's highest-paid center ... Jaguars 2020 season preview: Minshew and low expectations