11 a.m., Colts by 8
Last meeting: Colts won 10-3 at Indianapolis on Sept. 18
Who knew: No team plays the mighty Colts tougher than the Jaguars. Six of past seven games in series have been decided by seven points or fewer.
Spotlight on: Edgerrin James – Remember that knee reconstruction he had a few years ago? It might as well have been an ankle sprain. James is that rare combination of breakaway back who can handle the punishment. He leads league at 25.3 carries per game and ranks first in AFC with 1,347 rushing yards, second in AFC with 12 TDs. James benefits from Colts’ high-octane passing game and vice versa. Not only that, he’s playing with an edge, what with the Indy front office having refused his repeated attempts to land a long-term contract.
Etc. Colts one W from clinching home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. … Jags went almost 60 straight games without reaching 30-point mark, but that doesn’t mean they’re offensively challenged. They’ve scored 20-plus in club-record eight straight games. … Now, this just isn’t fair: Colts rank first in AFC in defense at 283 yards per. … Peyton Manning needs 34 passing yards to become first QB in Not For Long history to reach 3,000 in first eight seasons. … Manning has started 124 consecutive games. Jags QB David Garrard, meanwhile, has made four career starts. … Jags showing some heart, with or without usual starting QB Byron Leftwich. Fact: They’ve trailed in seven of their nine Ws. … What, you think Colts’ plus-8 turnover margin is impressive? Jags are plus-11.
Prediction: Colts 27, Jaguars 16
