Colts vs Jaguars: What Are Experts Saying About Indianapolis?

After the heartbreaking loss of Week 2, the Indianapolis Colts sit at a daunting 0-2. Since 1990, only 12 percent of teams that open the season with two-straight losses find their way into the playoffs.

That's the bad news.

The good news? Indianapolis goes to visit the hapless Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) this week, all but guaranteeing they find the win column for the first time since their dramatic victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2013 NFL playoffs

Having faced the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles already this year, the Jags should be a nice change of pace for the Colts.

Here's what the experts are talking about this week.

Mike Sando: I'm Going to Lean Hard to the Colts

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Andrew Luck should deliver the Colts a victory in Week 3.

ESPN.com's Mike Sando likes the Colts this week in a big way. He had this to say of the matchup:

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This is the Jaguars 30th game in a row they've been listed as the underdog by Vegas. They've been outscored 75-10 since taking that big lead against the Eagles. Andrew Luck is 10-2 as a starter against the AFC South... I'm gonna lean hard to the Colts this week against the scrappy Jags.

"

How much more is there to say, really? The Colts have dominated the Jaguars in recent times, outscoring their fellow AFC South squad 67-13 last season and winning their last three contests overall.

Don't expect Jacksonville to reverse that trend this time around, especially with Luck coming off his first back-to-back losses as a starting quarterback since October of 2009. As a redshirt freshman in college.

Luck studies the game as vigorously as anyone in the NFL and he won't allow the team to fall in three consecutive weeks.

At least, not against the lowly Jaguars.

Luck throws for 400 yards and accounts for four touchdowns as the Colts reestablish themselves as the kings of the AFC South.

Jamey Eisenberg: Ahmad Bradshaw Is the Better Colts Running Back

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Ahmad Bradshaw is the Colts running back with the most upside.

Seeing is believing, and this is what CBS Sports' Jamey Eisenberg sees in Indy's backfield:

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Both running backs should do well against the Jaguars, who have already allowed four touchdowns to running backs in two games against the Eagles and Redskins.

But if you have to decide between (Ahmad) Bradshaw and (Trent) Richardson, the choice is easy. We just wish the Colts would realize it as well.

"

It's hard to argue otherwise.

While Richardson cost the Colts a first-round pick, basically gold in the NFL, allowing him to continue reminding everybody how bad a move it was is unnecessary. Every time he runs the ball, onlookers everywhere think "how did this happen?"

How indeed?

Colts GM Ryan Grigson learned (hopefully) the hard way that running backs in the NFL cannot be overvalued, at the risk of huge losses. While Richardson certainly had upside at the time of the trade, he hasn't developed into the player he was expected to become and the Colts are paying for it on every play.

The brass in Indianapolis need to cut their losses and demote Richardson to a lesser role. It's the only way to start slowly forgetting about one of the worst trades in NFL history.

Mike Pickett: Jaguars Are at a Mental Disadvantage

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The Colts have been much more competitive in their losses than the Jags.

Our own Mike Pickett, chief writer for Bleacher Report, believes that the Jaguars are mentally vulnerable right now, having been humiliated in their first two outings. He writes:

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From a mental perspective, the Jaguars are at a much bigger disadvantage, as they not only blew a 17-0 lead in a 34-17 loss at Philadelphia in the season opener but also failed to cash in on Robert Griffin III leaving last week for the Washington Redskins with a serious ankle injury in a 41-10 blowout.

"

It's been clear the Jags are not in sync up to this point in the season. "Struggled" hardly seems to describe the level of incompetence displayed in every phase of the game.

The 10-sack rampage the Washington Redskins enacted on Chad Henne last weekend was hard to watch, and likely even more difficult to endure as a member of the team.

Indianapolis has had its struggles rushing the passer this season, but the offense shouldn't find themselves stuck in mud too often against the NFL's worst defense.

After this game, the Jaguars might need to look into some group counseling.

Kevin Bowen: Not Time to Panic for the Colts

Michael Conroy/Associated Press

It's time for the Colts to come together and turn their fortunes around.

Kevin Bowen of Colts.com believes the Colts won't hit the panic button just yet:

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It’s unchartered territory for the Colts this week.

In the last two years, Pagano’s team has never had to prepare following back-to-back losses.

The Colts have steered their ship out of rocky waters before, and while these seas might not be as treacherous, the ultimate destination must be reached.

"

Bowen goes on to mention that the Colts were 15-2 in games decided by eight or less points entering this season with Luck under center.

Now, with that stat trending downwards, many teams might find themselves wilting under pressure. Not these Colts, though.

“Handling success is no different than defeat,” Head coach Chuck Pagano said.

And with that idea in mind, the Colts will stride confidently into Jaguars territory, looking for their first win.

Mike Wells: Pass Rush Will Come from Current Roster or Not at All

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DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 07: Outside linebacker Bjoern Werner #92 of the Indianapolis Colts rushes the line of scrimmage against the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on September 7, 2014 in Denver, Colorado. The Broncos defeated the Co

ESPN.com's Mike Wells is concerned about Indy's pass rush—and rightfully so. The Colts have recorded only one sack to this point and it doesn't look like reinforcements are coming.

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The concerns are expected, especially after they failed to pressure Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Nick Foles on Monday night.

Will the Indianapolis Colts have a pass rush at any point this season?

The goal is for that to happen sooner rather than later.

If it happens—and it’s a serious if at this point—it’ll have to come from the players currently on the roster because a major move for a player outside the organization is not happening for the Colts.

"

It was well-known that the pass rush was going to be a struggle with Robert Mathis out for the season, but it would've been hard to predict it would be this bad.

Without creating pressure on opposing quarterbacks, Indy is sure to get its offense into more than a few shootouts. Luck is a proven commodity and more than capable of winning those high-scoring affairs but relying on your ability to out-punch every opponent you share the ring with is a strategy wrought with danger.

Looks like it might be a long season defensively.