The Jacksonville Jaguars and the Dallas Cowboys are both looking to bounce back after respective losses in Week 5. The 3-2 Jags are sharpening their fangs, particularly on defense, as they prepare to punish an already poor Dallas attack. As for the 2-3 Cowboys, a win this Sunday should revive their chances to win the NFC East. Speaking of which, the Cowboys are +275 to win their division. The Jaguars, meanwhile, are -140 to top the AFC South.
The Jaguars were supposed to make Kansas City struggle on offense, but it’s the opposite that happened in last week’s 30-14 loss at Arrowhead Stadium. Jags quarterback Blake Bortles repeatedly shot Jacksonville in the foot, as he wasted his own 430 passing-yard effort with four interceptions. He also lost a fumble to end the day with five turnovers. The Jaguars can’t afford Bortles to be that bad, especially with the team largely depending on its passing attack due to the absence of running back Leonard Fournette. The former LSU Tiger tailback is out indefinitely with a hamstring injury. Making matters worse for the Jags’ run game is Corey Grant’s season-ending injury. The Jags signed Jamaal Charles this week to lend support to T.J. Yeldon, but who knows how much has is left in the tank of the 31-year-old veteran. With Bortles struggling and the Jags’ backfield apparently in shambles, Jacksonville’s vaunted defense should take the lead against the Dallas. The Jags should be able to deal with the Cowboys’ anemic offense that is averaging only 16.6 points per game.
The Jags are 3-1 ATS in their last four road games.
Betting on the Dallas Cowboys (2-3 Record)
For the first time in 16 years, the Cowboys fell into the hands of the Texans via a 19-16 overtime road loss to J.J. Watt and company last week. History-lesson aside, the Cowboys need a spark on their offense outside of their backfield. It doesn’t matter where they’ll get it. The Cowboys are only 28th in the league in total offense and 30th in passing yards. Quarterback Dak Prescott only has 961 passing yards so far this season with five touchdowns and four interceptions. Dallas is still the fifth-best rushing team in the NFL with 135.8 rushing yards per game, but they can’t always rely on running back Ezekiel Elliot, who rushed for just 54 yards on 20 carries against the Texans. That said, Elliott could be the best option for the Cowboys on offense against the Jags, as Jacksonville is No. 1 in the league with only 191.0 passing yards allowed per game. The Jaguars are more generous on the ground with a 14th-ranked defense against the run.
The under is 5-1 in the Cowboys’ last six games as a home underdog.
