The Jacksonville Jaguars (+2000 to win the AFC title) went from first in the AFC South in 2017 to last in the division in 2018. Oh, what a year makes. With a new starting quarterback in tow, the Jags are expecting to rebound. The Jags will see how far they’ve progressed in their preparation for the 2019 season when they take on the Baltimore Ravens this Thursday on the road. The Ravens (+1800) know how hard it is now to win the AFC North, given the rise of the Cleveland Browns and the steadiness of the Pittsburgh Steelers, so the preseason is going to be some kind of measuring stick of themselves.
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Betting Preview for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Baltimore Ravens NFL Preseason Week 1 Game on August 8, 2019
Where: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore
When: Thursday, August 8, 2019, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Jacksonville Jaguars (+4) vs. Baltimore Ravens(-4) – view all 2019 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: ESPN
Betting on Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)
The disease that is Blake Bortles is no longer in Jacksonville, as the Jags split ways with him and signed Super Bowl champ Nick Foles as the replacement under center. Foles is big time now, though, so he’ll not be suiting up for a preseason game like the one this coming Thursday in Baltimore. Instead, Foles will be handing the quarterback keys temporarily to the likes of Lee Tanner, Gardner Minshew II, and Alex McGough. Perhaps, the Jags’ defense is going to be more interesting to watch, mostly because Jacksonville has one of the most intriguing rookies in defensive end Josh Allen, who was selected seventh overall despite experts’ predictions that he was not going to be undrafted past the fourth pick overall. Allen is a solid boost to the Jags’ defense that dropped a bit in effectiveness in 2018.
The Jaguars are 5-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last five preseason games.
Betting on Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Joe Flacco is no longer in Baltimore, meaning the starting quarterbacking duties for the Ravens is for Lamar Jackson to take — if he hasn’t already. With that gig safe at least for now for Jackson, the Ravens will opt for Robert Griffin and Trace McSorley along with Joe Callahan to run their offense against Jacksonville. Griffin can be considered as the top backup for Jackson, so McSorely and Callahan will be left battling for the third-string role. Callahan has an edge in experience, though, he’s thrown just seven times in his pro career. Thursday could also see the debut of wide receiver Marquise Brown in a competitive setting. Brown is the Ravens’ first-round pick, and is a welcome addition to Baltimore’s passing offense that needs playmakers through the air after finishing 22nd overall last season with just an average of 222.4 yards per contest.
The Ravens are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 preseason games at home.
Writer’s Prediction
Jaguars win, 17-13.
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