Indianapolis Colts DVOA, Stats, & NFL Rankings

After averaging over five catches per contest after Week 11, Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs has had four consecutive weeks with exactly three receptions. Be that as it may, Week 18 brings a matchup versus the Jaguars, the same team the 23-year-old posted nine catches on 12 targets for 69 yards and a touchdown back in Week 5. That game featured Joe Flacco under center too, so Downs will look to replicate that success and end the season on a high note. Jacksonville has allowed the eighth-most fantasy points to wide receivers this season, but the second-most to running backs, so the Colts may lean toward the ground game in this one instead. As a result, view Downs as a low-end WR3 with perhaps some upside in PPR formats if he and Flacco can get rolling again against the Jags.

Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. set season-highs in receptions and targets last week with Joe Flacco back at the helm, catching nine of 10 passes for 109 yards and a score. With a week full of practice, the 27-year-old should not be limited in any way again this week, taking on a Jaguars defense that ranks eighth-worst in allowing production to wide receivers. Jacksonville has been even worse against the run, so the Colts may be more inclined to ride Jonathan Taylor's hot hand, although, with both teams out of playoff contention, we could see a few more backups get some playing time in this one. Additionally, with an expected total on the low side (43.5), the teams probably won't combine for 71 points as they did when they played each other earlier this season. In that contest, the former second-round draft pick had five catches for 37 yards and a TD. As it stands, view Pittman Jr. as a WR3 with some upside if the game remains competitive throughout.

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor has been a force to be reckoned with over the last two weeks, rushing 61 times for 343 yards and five touchdowns. Not only that, he's seen 21 or more carries six of the last seven weeks and gets no competition for work. Anthony Richardson (back) had been stealing some goal line opportunities, but the QB has been ruled out, paving the way for Taylor to take on all he can handle with Joe Flacco under center. With the Colts eliminated from the playoffs, it's uncertain if they'll work in some other backs to close out the year, but if not, the matchup is extremely favorable, going up against the Jaguars who have allowed the second-most fantasy points to opposing RBs. The former second-round draft pick projects as a mid-range RB1 for the final week of the season.

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Joe Flacco will draw the start on Sunday with Anthony Richardson (back) ruled out. The 39-year-old started last week for the injured Richardson, throwing for 330 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions on 26-of-38 passing. The performance resulted in two Colt receivers with 100-plus yards receiving in the same game for the first time all season. Sunday's matchup is almost as good as it gets, with Indy taking on Jacksonville, the second-most fantasy-friendly defense for opposing quarterbacks. The veteran QB lit them up earlier this season, throwing for 359 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions on 33-of-44 passing. The Colts are four-point favorites in this one but the two teams combined for 71 points the last time around, so it may not be so fruitful in this game that has a 43.5 over/under. Nevertheless, Flacco looks more like a high-end QB2 in Week 18 rather than a low-end one.

According to Mike Chappell of FOX 59, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (back) has been ruled out for Sunday's contest against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Head coach Shane Steichen said Richardson "didn't make enough progress this week." The former fourth-overall selection sat out last weekend with this same injury and could not practice all week. Through his sophomore campaign, the Florida product appeared in 11 games and missed time with other injuries and due to being benched. Across this span, he averaged an underwhelming 164.9 passing yards per game with 45.4 rushing yards per game. He tallied 14 total touchdowns while averaging 19.0 PPR points per game. As a result, veteran Joe Flacco will be given the starting nod in the final game of the regular season. He is a viable high-end QB2 facing a Jaguars defense that has allowed the fourth-most PPR points to opposing QBs this season.