Houston Texans (4-9 SU, 7-6 ATS) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-4 SU, 8-5 ATS)
NFL Week 15
Date/Time: Sunday, December 17th, 1:00pm ET
Where: EverBank Field – Jacksonville, FL
TV: CBS
by Bob, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: HOU +10 / JAX -10
Over/Under Total: 39
This Sunday, we have an AFC South game between the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars that will take place on Florida’s EverBank Field. Jacksonville comes into this game as one of the great stories of 2017 while Houston is battling injuries just trying to get through this season and be ready to make a come back in 2018. These teams already faced off in week one when the Jaguars went into NRG Stadium and beatdown the Texans 29-7. I am not sure this game will be much different, but as always in these divisional games, you never know.
The Jaguars come into this game as a 10 point favorite at home over the Houston Texans. The total points are rather low at 39 combined between these two teams. On paper and based on the eye test, you would think that a large percentage of the action would be on Jacksonville to cover. However, the difference is not as much as you think. 55% of the bettors like Jacksonville and 45% thinks that Houston keeps it close. I am torn, anyone who follows me knows that I hate double digit spreads and I am very weary of leaning with double digit favorites in the National Football League.
The Houston Texans came into 2017 with high hopes. They considered themselves a legit threat to the suffering AFC South and thought they could take the division and make a run in the playoffs. Well, that was before we all saw how good Jacksonville was going to be and then the injuries that ended the seasons of J.J. Watt and Deshaun Watson. Houston is now on to their third quarterback coming into this game with Tom Savage out with a concussion. TJ Yates will now take over the role and try to get this big win over Jacksonville. Last week after Savage was knocked out of the game, Yates came in and threw two touchdown passes along with 175 yards although it was not good enough to get the win over the 49ers. This Sunday, Yates will need to play well but also the Houston defense will have to defend. Houston has the 29th ranked scoring defense in the NFL while the Jaguars boast a top ten scoring offense. This task will not be easy for Houston but crazier things have happened in this league.
Jacksonville knows they are on their way to a division title but its games likes this that can trip a team up along the way. Jacksonville just a few years ago was one of the NFL’s worst teams, now all of a sudden they are looking like they can hang with anyone and I mean anyone. The Jaguars are ranked 1st in the NFL in points allowed at just 15 per game and the offense is scoring right at 25 a game. This team is a legit threat to not only the AFC South but the AFC as a whole. The key this weekend is to not get caught up in their own hype. This is still a very young team that has some learning to do but if they continue to play the brand of football they have lately, they will be a tough out. Jacksonville just needs to force TJ Yates to have to beat them with his arm. If Houston cannot get a run game and if Jacksonville can pressure Yates, I see it being a very good Sunday for the Jags when it is all said and done.
I mentioned earlier and in various articles over the few years I have written for this site that I hate double digits NFL spreads. However, I do not see any way that Houston will be able to hang with the Jacksonville Jaguars, at least not four quarters. I think Houston will come in with a game plan to try and control the ball but in the end, Jacksonville will be just too much. I think the Jaguars win a 27-13 type game and improve to 10-4 on the season and keep a hold of the division lead.
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS -10 OVER THE HOUSTON TEXANS – Bet your pick for this game using your credit card at an online bookie where it WILL work for deposits and where you’ll receive a generous 50% signup bonus on your first deposit of $100 to $250! (Example: Deposit $250 and they’ll give you an extra $250 FREE!) Find this great offer at Bovada Sportsbook.