Jaguars, Colts try to salvage something from disappointing seasons

Jacksonville (4-12) at Indianapolis (7-9)

Sunday, 1 p.m., EST, Fox.

BetMGM NFL Odds: Colts by 5.

Against the spread: Jacksonville 8-7-1; Indianapolis 9-7.

Series record: Colts lead 27-20.

Last meeting: Jaguars beat the Colts 37-34 on Oct. 6, 2024.

Last week: Jaguars beat the Titans, 20-13; Colts lost at the Giants, 45-33.

Jaguars offense: overall (26), rush (26), pass (23), scoring (T25).

Jaguars defense: overall (31), rush (23), pass (32), scoring (28).

Colts offense: overall (15), rush (8), pass (26), scoring (T16).

Colts defense: overall (29), rush (26), pass (26), scoring (27).

Turnover differential: Jaguars minus-14; Colts minus-5.

DE Travon Walker needs half of a sack to become the second player in team history, joining Calais Campbell, to get double-digit sacks in consecutive seasons. Walker will be without teammate and fellow pass rusher Josh Hines-Allen, who didn't make the trip because of a personal matter.

RB Jonathan Taylor. Even if QB Anthony Richardson (back spasms) returns to the starting lineup, the Colts may not want to risk much with Richardson's health. Either way, Taylor is trying to finish with a flourish. He's rushed for 450 yards and five TDs over the past three weeks and a fourth straight 100-yard game would match a career best.

Colts CB Kenny Moore vs. Jags WR Brian Thomas Jr. Thomas has had a remarkable season. He heads into the game with eighth-highest total yards receiving (1,179) by a rookie in the Super Bowl era and leads Giants WR Malik Nabers by just 39 yards heading into the season finale. But Thomas will be up against Moore, one of the league's top nickel cornerbacks.

The Jaguars will be without left tackle Walker Little (ankle) for the second consecutive week, leaving Cole Van Lanen to start again. LB Ventrell Miller (ankle) and S Darnell Savage (concussion) also could be sidelined again.

While the Colts biggest question remains Richardson, who would not have participated in Wednesday's practice had Indy held a full workout, there are promising indications starting CB JuJu Brents (knee) could return from injured reserve this week.

The Jaguars have won the past three meetings and five of six. ... Jacksonville's third win of the 2022 season, 26-11 in the season finale, knocked the Colts out of the playoffs that season. ... The Jaguars are seeking their second straight season sweep and just the fourth since the two teams became AFC South foes in 2002. ... Indy is 17-6 on its home turf, including five wins in its past six games at Lucas Oil Stadium.

The Jaguars have lost 17 of their past 22 games, with three of the wins coming against division foes Tennessee and Indianapolis. ... This could be the final game for Jaguars coach Doug Pederson and general manager Trent Baalke. They are 23-29 in three years together, including 11-6 against the AFC South. Owner Shad Khan has given no indication of what he plans to do, but he skipped a winning locker room last week in what many perceive as him distancing himself from Pederson and Baalke. ... Thomas Jr. needs 21 yards receiving to become the seventh rookie in NFL history to reach 1,200. With 135 yards, he would pass Michael Clayton, Odell Beckham Jr. and Randy Moss for the fifth most by an NFL rookie. ... Travis Etienne needs six receptions to pass Leonard Fournette (134) and move into fourth place in franchise history for most by a running back. ... Walker has at least one QB hit in six consecutive games against Indy. ... Indy was eliminated from playoff contention last week and will miss the postseason for the fourth straight season. ... The Colts have lost two of their past three games. ... Richardson already has set a single-season franchise record for TD runs by a quarterback (six) and needs two more to surpass Jacoby Brissett (11) for No. 5 on Indy's career list. ... Taylor has 23 100-yard games and needs one more to tie Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson for second in Colts history. He needs one TD to pass Hall of Famer Lenny Moore (55) for the most by any Colts player through their first five seasons. ... WR Michael Pittman Jr. has caught at least five passes in five of his past six games and is coming off his best overall game this season — nine receptions, 109 yards, one TD. ... WR Josh Downs needs three catches to pass T.Y. Hilton (132) for second and eight to pass Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison (137) for the most by a Colts player over his first two seasons. ... LB Zaire Franklin already has the top three single-season tackling totals in franchise history. He needs two more to top himself for second and 15 to break his record (179), set last season.

It's always difficult to make a selection in a game such as this where neither team has much at stake. So take the most obvious play — Taylor's hot hand against a Jaguars defense that has struggled to stop the run.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen, left, congratulates quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) after a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor scores a touchdown against the New York Giants in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Corey Sipkin)

New York Giants defensive end Elijah Garcia (90) recovers a fumble in front of Indianapolis Colts running back Tyler Goodson (31) during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Jacksonville Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd, second from left, makes an interception over Tennessee Titans running back Julius Chestnut (36) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, left, talks to quarterback Mac Jones (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Cody Ceci scored with 25 seconds left in the third period, and the San Jose Sharks beat the New Jersey Devils 3-2 on Saturday.

With the game tied 2-2, Ceci’s slap shot from the point beat Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

Yaroslav Askarov stopped 28 shots for San Jose, and Markstrom made 21 saves for New Jersey.

Macklin Celebrini gave the Sharks a 2-1 lead with a hard wrist shot on his first shift of the third period, but Paul Cotter answered for the Devils.

Nikolai Kovalenko scored his first goal with the Sharks late in the first period after joining the team in a trade last month. Nico Hischier, on his 26th birthday, tied the game in the second on the power play by deflecting the puck in off a pass by Jack Hughes.

Devils: The Devils lost their four straight on a six-game road trip, and have yet to find a rhythm coming off the holiday break.

Sharks: The Sharks won against a second consecutive playoff team after beating the Lightning on Thursday to snap an eight-game losing streak. Askarov, coming off a perfect third period on Thursday, looked solid in his second straight start as the Sharks are giving their goaltender of the future more experience.

With the puck in the Devils’ zone in the final seconds of the third, Jonas Siegenthaler fell in the corner. The Sharks’ Alexander Wennberg retrieved the puck and passed it up high to Ceci, whose slap shot trickled off Markstrom’s glove and in.

Celebrini’s 13th goal of the season put him in first amongst rookies. He entered the game tied with the Flyers’ Matvei Michkov.

The Devils visit the Kraken on Monday, while the Sharks host the Golden Knights on Tuesday.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes, right, skates toward the against San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New Jersey Devils left wing Jesper Bratt, middle, skates with the puck against San Jose Sharks right wing Barclay Goodrow (23) during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) skates with the puck against New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks goaltender Yaroslav Askarov, second from left, celebrates with defenseman Cody Ceci (4), defenseman Mario Ferraro (38) and center Mikael Granlund after an NHL hockey game against the New Jersey Devils in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci, left, reacts after scoring a goal next to New Jersey Devils left wing Erik Haula (56) during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (25) cannot stop a goal scored by San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Cody Ceci, left, is congratulated by center Alexander Wennberg (21) after scoring against the New Jersey Devils during the third period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, Jan. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)