Bettors have enjoyed the Jaguars this season for the fact that the Jags have consistently rebounded for the win after a loss (4-0 in doing so). Here in Week 17, Jacksonville is the underdog, which is the first time in 10 weeks that has happened. As an underdog, the Jaguars are both 2-1 straight up and against the spread. On the other side of the field, we have the Titans, a team that has played well when given favored status at the sportsbook, going 8-2 in their last eight as the chalk. However, they have covered the spread in just five of those meetings.
Both squads have respectable records against the division, with each going 4-1 SU and ATS. The Titans beat the Jaguars 37-16 back in Week 2 of the 2017 NFL football season.
Betting Preview for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Tennessee Titans NFL Week 17 Game on December 31 2017
Where: Nissan Stadium, Nashville
When: Sunday, December 31, 4:25 PM EST
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (+3.5) vs Tennessee Titans (-3.5) – view all 2017 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: CBS
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (10-5)
Jacksonville did more than lose last week. Their stellar defense was creamed as they gave up a season high 44 points to San Francisco. It was a real surprise. Blake Bortles did not have a great game and helped the 49ers by throwing a pick six that put them up 16-0 early. He did throw for 382 yards but any game where he turns the ball over and the team loses is going to have people grumbling about whether he can be a reliable quarterback in the NFL.
It would have really helped if the running game found a rhythm but it never did and down so many they eventually had to abandon it. Leonard Fournette was a non-factor. Keelan Cole had a second straight 100+ yard game but did not find the end zone for the first time in three week. You have to wonder when teams get wise to him.
Three interceptions did nothing to help the Jaguars defense but in previous games the defense has covered up for the offense. In short they did not. Jimmy Garoppolo did not have a big game but he didn’t make mistakes. They only got to him one time. Hardly Sacksonville. The real concern was how San Francisco was able to move the ball on the ground. 131 yards against one of the best defenses in the NFL. I am sure Tennessee saw that.
Betting on the Tennessee Titans (8-7)
I believe that the Titans came into last week with a chance to control their own destiny over two home games to close the season. They lost to the Rams in a tight contest. They might have also lost Demarco Murray who left the game late. In a statistical rarity he was not even the Titans leading rusher despite being the starter. That nod goes to Derrick Henry so even if Murray misses the finale they are still in very good shape. Marcus Mariota had another ho-hum game against the Rams. That has been par for the course this season.
Against the Rams the Titans had no answer for Todd Gurley, who literally ran wild and caught a bunch of balls out of the backfield too. That’s bad news with the Jaguars looming. This is gut check time for a team that was supposed to cruise to the AFC South title with Indianapolis and Houston not having their QB for most of the season.
Writer’s Prediction
I think this one will be pretty close to the vest. The Jags have clinched the division already which is a milestone for them. Tennessee will likely give a max effort but even though they are at home I think they come up short. The Jags defense returns to the form we have seen throughout most of the season. Pick: Jags (+3.0)
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