Colts@Jaguars
Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 29th at 4:25 PM ET
Location: TIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL
Betting Odds: IND -4, 43 total via Oddsshark
Network: CBS
Sleeper Spotlight: Jordan Wilkins
Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback:
- Jacoby Brissett (Sit)
The Colts have been eliminated from playoff contention, though they could move to 8-8 on the season with a win, which may be their primary motivation in a meaningless Week 17 game. Jacoby Brissett is expected to play, so he will be there for you if you need him. Jacksonville’s defense is falling off as the year goes on, making this a decent enough of a matchup. But Brissett only managed 148 yards passing against the Jaguars in Week 11 and bailed owners out with a rushing touchdown to salvage a poor fantasy performance. Brissett too often throws for less than 200 yards per game to be a true fantasy option, so he can only be counted on as an option in two-quarterback leagues.
Running Backs:
- Marlon Mack (Start, RB2)
- Jordan Wilkins (Sit)
- Nyheim Hines (Sit)
Marlon Mack gets another dream matchup in Week 17 against a Jaguars defense allowing the second-most fantasy points to opposing running backs in 2019. Last week in an equally great spot, Mack totaled 95 yards on 16 carries and added in a touchdown against the Panthers. Mack’s lack of receiving work keeps him from being a true RB1, however, and there’s no word as of now as to how much usage we can expect from Mack in a meaningless game. But for now, Mack has a great matchup on paper that should make him one of the safer RB2’s in Week 17 fantasy contests. If Mack were to be held out or removed partway through the game, Jordan Wilkins looks like the clear replacement for Mack’s between the tackles role. Wilkins can’t be started as of now, but if the word were to come out about Indianapolis resting Mack, Wilkins would suddenly become an in-demand fantasy asset in a prime matchup. Nyheim Hines hasn’t seen his role change regardless of the health of the backfield as a whole and is not an option outside of leagues that heavily reward return yardage.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- T.Y. Hilton (Sit)
- Zach Pascal (Sit)
- Marcus Johnson (Sit)
- Jack Doyle (Sit)
With T.Y. Hilton back in the mix, there probably aren’t any receivers you can trust this week for Indianapolis. Hilton has struggled from a fantasy perspective since returning from injury, failing to reach 30 receiving yards in either game. Last week in a blowout he was on the field for 59% of the Colts’ snaps, and in a meaningless Week 17 game, I would be shocked to see that number increase. Zach Pascal led the team with 78% of the offensive snaps last week, and could potentially have some value if Hilton was rested the final week. Otherwise, this offense is too run-centric to support more than one receiver at this point in the season. Marcus Johnson logged 72% of the snaps last week, second to only Pascal, but has seen his usage crater with Hilton back as well. Jack Doyle hasn’t taken off like we expected after Eric Ebron hit IR, largely due to the struggles of the passing offense as a whole. Doyle can be counted on for four or more targets most weeks, and could certainly have a solid week if the Colts were forced to air the ball out. But that may not happen in a pointless regular-season finale, and most owners should be able to find higher-upside options at this point in the season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Quarterback:
- Gardner Minshew (Sit)
Garnder Minshew has only passed for 147, 162, 201, and 181 yards in the four games since taking over for Nick Foles as the Jaguars starter, and is not a fantasy option in one quarterback leagues. Foles had a decent day against the Colts back in Week 11, throwing for 296 yards and two touchdowns, but this offense has regressed lately. Minshew is just a low-upside QB2.
Running Backs:
- Leonard Fournette (Start, RB2)
At this point, Leonard Fournette is a start unless we hear the Jaguars plan to back off his usage in the finale. He’s been an as high volume of a running back as there is in the league this year, held back by his lack of touchdowns due to a struggling offense. He’s a safe high-end RB2 or low-end RB1 as long as he gets his full workload. The Colts don’t provide a great matchup, but Fournette’s passing game usage gives him a safe floor. Fournette popped up on the injury report for the first time all year on Thursday and did not practice with a neck injury. Fournette expressed optimism about playing, but if the Jaguars decided to rest Fournette in the finale, rookie Ryquell Armstead would likely inherit a full workload and be an interesting waiver option.
Wide Receivers/Tight Ends:
- D.J. Chark (Start, WR3)
- Dede Westbrook (Sit)
- Chris Conley (Sit)
D.J. Chark returned from a one-week ankle injury to a disappointing line of two receptions for 18 yards last week against the Falcons. On the positive side, Chark looked healthy while drawing seven targets and playing 87% of the offensive snaps. Chark burnt the Colts for 104 yards and 2 touchdowns on 15 targets in Week 11, and while neither Chark nor the Jaguars offense is playing at the top of their game right now, there are worse options than Chark this week. Dede Westbrook has totaled just 44 receiving yards over the last three games despite some good matchups and a week without Chark. He can’t be trusted with a fantasy championship on the line. Over the last two games, Chris Conley has totaled 6 receptions on 13 targets for 105 yards and three touchdowns, making him a more intriguing option than Westbrook. Still, chasing those touchdowns would be foolish, as Conley had only scored two on the season before the last two weeks. Conley has had a nice stretch of 40-60 yard games, and if that has value in your league he’s likely available for you on waivers. But you should be able to find higher upside options.
-Erik Smith (@ErikSmithQBL on Twitter, truebest on Reddit)