Changes were abundant for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Las Vegas Raiders in the offseason. Both teams brought in new coaches and a lot of new players, hoping to change their fortunes. So far, so good in Duval; the Jags are in the playoff hunt. But it’s not going so well for the 2-5 Raiders.
Jacksonville is a three-point favorite and -155 on the moneyline, while Las Vegas is +130 on DraftKings Sportsbook. The game total is set at 44.5 points.
Let’s dig into my pick and prediction for Sunday’s game between these two AFC playoff hopefuls.
Jaguars vs. Raiders Preview, Prediction
The Jaguars’ team success comes down to one thing: turnovers. They’ve forced 14 turnovers this season, the second most in the league, while only coughing up six on the year. Jacksonville has only lost the turnover battle once in its first seven games, a game it won over the Chiefs.
The disparity between the passing offense and defensive secondary is a lot to overcome. But the Jaguars have a solid running game and front seven, and it’s kept them in enough games to remain competitive.
Las Vegas isn’t having the same good fortune with its turnovers. The Raiders have coughed up the ball 12 times in seven games, third most in the NFL. Geno Smith has tossed 10 interceptions in his debut season for the Raiders and has thrown them out of many games. The defense has been solid at times, but the futility of their offense is tough to overcome.
Jaguars vs. Raiders Preview, Prediction
I have no confidence in this Raiders offense going against a great playmaking Jaguars defense. It’s a rough spot for a struggling team, even with the home-field advantage. Jacksonville is coming out of here with a win.
