Colts vs. Jaguars, Week 1: How to watch, what to watch

The Jacksonville Jaguars will face the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1 of the 2020 NFL season in an AFC South matchup. Jacksonville is in complete rebuilding mode. It released Leonard Fournette and traded Yannick Ngakoue this offseason after parting with Jalen Ramsey last year. Gardner Minshew has been given the keys to the offense now that Nick Foles has been dealt to the Chicago Bears, and he has a talented, young group of wideouts to work with.

The Colts are looking to bounce back from the underwhelming year that followed Andrew Luck’s untimely retirement and brought in Philip Rivers to replace Jacoby Brissett under center. Can Rivers get back on track in Indianapolis after having down year with the Los Angeles Chargers in 2019?

TV Info

Date: September 13
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Channel: CBS
Broadcast map

Notable Statistical rankings (Football Outsiders)

Colts (2019): 19th vs. Pass, 19th vs. Rush
Jaguars (2019): 22nd vs. Pass, 31st vs. Rush

DraftKings Sportsbook odds

Colts: -8, -400
Jaguars: +8, +320
Total: 45

Pick: Colts

This is a bunch of points to give a team on the road, so I can understand leaning the Jags way, but the Colts are a team that is strong from top to bottom. Frank Reich could be less inclined to run the score up, but it should come fairly naturally in this matchup.

Injury report

Colts

Wednesday

Limited: LB Matthew Adams (ankle), S Julian Blackmon (knee), T Anthony Castonzo (oblique), C Ryan Kelly (knee), WR Dezmon Patmon (knee)

Thursday

DNP: C/G Quenton Nelson (back)

Limited: LB Matthew Adams (ankle), T Anthony Castonzo (oblique), C Ryan Kelly (knee), DE Justin Houston

Jaguars

Wednesday

DNP: TE Tyler Davis (knee), TE Tyler Eifert (not injury related), RB Devine Ozigbo (hamstring)

Thursday

DNP: DE Adam Gotsis, RB Devine Ozigbo (hamstring, IR), TE James O’Shaughnessy

FULL: TE Tyler Eifert

Fantasy football start/sit advice

Colts

Parris Campbell, Wide receiver, $3,900

Campbell has impressed at camp and if it weren’t for a concussion he suffered in a car accident, he’s be getting even more hype right now. He has returned from his concussion and should be ready to start in the slot. He also could see more work with Trey Burton out for Week 1. Add in Philip Rivers’ ability to read defenses, especially on short routes, and I think Campbell has a lot of upside in a good matchup.

Nyheim Hines, Running back, $4,000

I like T.Y. Hilton in this matchup but the receivers behind him in the target pecking order aren’t quite clear. Michael Pittman, Campbell, Jack Doyle and Mo Alie-Cox all should have opportunities, but Hines is someone who’s seen a lot of targets in training camp. He’s obviously cheap in DFS, but he also has some value in redraft leagues if needed.

Jaguars

D.J. Chark, Wide receiver, $6,300

The Jaguars have a lot of receivers with upside but few that we know we can count on. Chark is someone we can count on. He was a stud last season and all reports from camp have been glowing. The Jaguars defense is in no way good and should push the offense to throw the ball in an attempt to keep up. Add in the fact that bruising running back Leonard Fournette is gone and I expect Gardner Minshew and the offense to focus on the passing game.

Chris Thompson, Running back, $4,000

The Colts try to play bend don’t break defense, which usually allows for plenty of underneath receptions to running back. Thompson should be able to take advantage of Fournette’s departure and Ryquell Armstead’s absence from practice to secure plenty of snaps and likely all of the receiving work out of the backfield.