Colts vs Jaguars Picks & Predictions for Week 5: Thomas Takes Flight Against Indy

With the Colts' lackluster secondary continuing to get picked apart, rookie wideout Brian Thomas will thrive when he takes the gridiron for Sunday's divisional rivalry.

Neil Parker - Analyst at Covers.com
Neil Parker • Betting Analyst
Oct 4, 2024 • 13:00 ET • 4 min read

NFL

Match starts: 45 hrs
JAC
50 %
IND
50 %
EXPERT PICK - PROP
Brian Thomas o50.5  Receiving Yards (-135) Brian Thomas o50.5 Receiving Yards (-135)
Read Analysis
Brian Thomas Jacksonville Jaguars NFL
Photo By - USA TODAY Sports

The winless Jacksonville Jaguars host the Indianapolis Colts in an AFC South showdown at EverBank Stadium on Sunday.

Jacksonville rookie Brian Thomas headlines our Colts vs. Jaguars predictions, with Jags quarterback Trevor Lawrence and the air attack set up for success against a weak Indy pass defense in Week 5.

Read more in our NFL picks for October 6.

Colts vs Jaguars prediction

My best bet
Brian Thomas Over 50.5 receiving yards (-135 at BetMGM)

My analysis

Jacksonville Jaguars rookie Brian Thomas has been a lone bright spot through the first four weeks, boasting 17 receptions for 275 yards and a pair of scores on just 26 targets. His 12.8 aDOT and 10.6 yards per target are high-end marks, and he’s connected with quarterbacks Trevor Lawrence and Mac Jones for a team-high 110.3 passer rating when targeted.

Add Thomas garnering a healthy 21.1% target share, 80.8 air yards per game, and racking up 82 yards after the catch — and the rookie wideout is quickly becoming a go-to contributor in the passing attack for the Jags. Jacksonville wide receiver Gabe Davis is also nursing a shoulder injury and hasn’t been a full participant in practice through the first two sessions.

Of course, this is also a plus-matchup against the Indianapolis Colts pass defense. Indy has allowed the third-highest catch rate (69.9%) to opposing wide receivers, and quarterbacks have aired it out for the seventh-highest yards per attempt (7.81), while also generating the ninth-highest EPA per dropback.  

While difficult to quantify, three of Jacksonville's four losses have finished as one-possession games. I fully view the Jags as a middling club and not a basement dweller, and I expect a much tidier game from Lawrence when he faces a vulnerable Indy pass defense. 

After all, the fourth-year QB’s 6.0 YPA and 53.3 completion percentage are well below his 7.1 and 65.9% marks over the past two seasons.

Colts vs Jaguars same-game parlay

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Colts vs Jaguars odds

Colts vs Jaguars live odds

Colts vs Jaguars opening odds

  • Spread: Indianapolis +2.5 | Jacksonville -2.5
  • Moneyline: Indianapolis +120 | Jacksonville -145
  • Over/Under: Over 45.5 | Under 45.5

Colts vs Jaguars spread and Over/Under analysis

  • This spread has traded between Jags -2.5 and -3 all week at BetMGM.
  • Shops are hanging Indy as a +3 road underdog, and it makes sense that it’s also trading below the key number of three at several books. I suspect we’ll see this line continue to flip-flop leading into Sunday. Colts QB Anthony Richardson’s (oblique) status could have an impact, but I’m expecting him to be listed as questionable and not suit up.
  • This total has seen similar line movement, with the opening 45.5 climbing to 46.5 before settling at 46 on Wednesday.

Colts vs Jaguars betting trend to know

Indianapolis has allowed the third-highest catch rate (69.9%) to opposing wide receivers, and quarterbacks have thrown for the seventh-highest yards per attempt (7.81). Find more NFL betting trends for Colts vs. Jaguars.

Colts vs Jaguars game info

Location: EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL
Date: Sunday, 10-6, 2024
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
TV: CBS

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Betting Analyst

Neil Parker is, first and foremost, a sports fan. A huge supporter of the Cowboys, Cubs, and Maple Leafs, he has managed to parlay his passion into writing gigs with Sportsbook Review, USA TODAY, theScore, DraftKings Playbook, and RotoWire, among many others. He also co-hosted the Daily Fantasy Edge podcast and can now be seen offering expert golf and hockey advice on Covers’ Before you Bet broadcast.

Neil takes a numbers-based approach to his handicapping and complements his in-depth statistical analysis with a keen eye on the markets to provide the best available odds. He loves to lean on his rolodex of idioms to offset his inner nerd. When it comes to wagering, he throws down on anything that catches his eye at bet365, Betway and BetVictor. He also keeps a close eye on CoolBet because the polar bear brand often has outlier NHL and NFL moneyline prices.

Neil graduated with honors from St. Thomas University in 2007 before completing his BEd at Acadia University in 2010. After teaching a myriad of courses and subjects, he found a groove delivering fun lessons to exceptional learners in non-traditional classroom environments. If his decade-plus teaching run taught him anything about sports betting, it’s to stay the course and use the summer – or offseason – to refresh and prepare to be better in the year to come.

Neil’s top pieces of advice for recreational bettors are to stay within your means and to remember sportsbooks aren’t bank accounts. Don’t be afraid to pull those winnings and treat yourself to a lifetime experience courtesy of a big win.

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