Both the New York Jets and the Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off extremely disappointing losses last week. The 1-2 Jets need a win to give themselves a shot in the arm and avoid falling further behind in the AFC East race, while the Jaguars have to get a win to keep in step with the contenders in the AFC South, which they are -210 to win.
Jets rookie quarterback Sam Darnold needs to have a short memory. After a bumbling performance in a 21-17 loss to the Cleveland Browns on the road last week, he is next going to face the unforgiving defense of the Jaguars this coming Sunday. Against the Jets, Darnold completed just 15 of 31 passes and had two interceptions. It was running back Bilal Powell, who did most of the damage on offense with 34 rushing yards and a pair of touchdowns on 16 carries. Bilal Powell, meanwhile, had 73 rushing yards on 14 attempts. The Jets’ backfield should continue to have a sizable workload, while Darnold continues to be on training wheels. The Jets are 10th in the NFL with 25.7 points per game and 14th with 106.0 rushing yards per contest.
New York is 4-1 SU in its last five meetings with the Jaguars,
Betting on the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
After taking down the New England Patriots, the Jaguars put up a disappointing performance in a 9-6 loss at home against the Tennessee Titans, Blake Bortles can’t get anything going against the Titans, as he went 21 of 34 for 155 passing yards. Their offense should get a tremendous boost if running back Leon Fournette receives a green light to play on Sunday, though, the former LSU Tigers tailback is still considered day-to-day with a hamstring injury. If he can’t give it a go, the Jaguars will rely once again on T.J. Yeldon for most of their ground attack. Yeldon paces the team with 153 rushing yards this season. The Jags have to tighten their protection of Bortles after allowing three sacks to the Titans last week in order for the likes of Keelan Cole and Dede Westbrook to get it going downfield.
Jacksonville is 4-1 ATS in its last five home games.
