Redskins vs. Jaguars Pick & Prediction
Washington Redskins (6-7 SU, 7-6 ATS) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9 SU, 4-7-2 ATS)
NFL Football Week 15
Date and Time: Sunday, December 16th, 1:00pm EST
Where :TIAA Bank Field – Jacksonville, FL
TV: CBS
By Bob Clark, NFL Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread: WAS +7/JAX -7 (-105 at 5Dimes)
Over/Under Total: 36
POWER RATINGS – WEEK 15: Jacksonville Jaguars -5
TAKEAWAYS FROM WEEK 14:
Talk about two teams coming off games that they would like to forget! Man oh man did both of these teams suffer some beatdowns in week 14. Washington went down to the New York Giants 40-16 while the Jacksonville Jaguars got whipped by the Tennessee Titans 30-9. The main concern for both teams in the quarterback position. Obviously, the Washington Redskins are having issues after the devastating injury to Alex Smith. As for the Jacksonville Jaguars, the question is being asked…is Blake Bortles a legit franchise QB? Many asked it last season even after the Jags were just a drive away from the Super Bowl but now it is being asked even more with this season becoming more and more of a disappointment. This Sunday will be a game between two teams whose seasons are both essentially over. The final result will come down to which teams has more pride and which team throws in the towel for the 2018 season.
HOW THE PUBLIC IS BETTING WASHINGTON AND JACKSONVILLE:
Although both teams have played questionable football as of late, the Jacksonville Jaguars come into this game as a full touchdown favorite (-7). My guess is that they trust the quarterback play of Jacksonville regardless of whether it is Kessler or Bortles over the Redskins. As of late Monday night, Jacksonville was getting much of the early action. 58% of the documented betting was on the Jaguars to get the home cover over the Redskins. Against the spread this season, the Washington Redskins are 7-6 while the Jaguars are 4-7-2. Washington was actually rolling early on in the season then a loss to Atlanta and then the injury to Alex Smith sent things spiraling out of control as of late. Quite a few of the Skins covers were early on.
Beat the Sportsbook with our MNF Pick!
THE HISTORICALS:
With Washington in the NFC East and Jacksonville in the AFC South, these two teams are not very familiar with each other. Since the Jaguars became an NFL team, these two teams have only met six times dating back to 1997. In those six games, the Redskins are 5-1 but history means nothing. Over the course of the years, these rosters and franchises have gone through major changes and that is even since the last meeting that took place in 2014.
INJURY CONCERNS:
We all know the major injuries for these teams but as for any new information or new injuries there is nothing that will sway this game one way or the other. It will be ugly…very ugly.
WHEN WASHINGTON HAS THE BALL:
It is quite apparent that there is no one on the Washington roster at the quarterback position that can carry a team…hell, their may not be anyone on the roster that can even be a back up on any other squad. Josh Johnson will more than likely get this start this Sunday and if he does, I see the Redskins giving Jacksonville a heavy dose of the run game. As a team, the Redskins average almost 115 yards a game on the ground and Johnson at QB is a more mobile option that can get yards himself when things in the passing game breaks down. Last week in the loss to New York, Johnson rushing for nearly 40 yards rushing and a score. In order to have any type of success this weekend against the Jaguars, Washington will need a game plan that includes some option plays and some designed quarterback runs. If the Redskins can get some success on the ground, this COULD open up things somewhat for Johnson to have some passing lanes. This is not a good match up for Washington, but again, the run game is key come 1:00pm on Sunday.
WHEN JACKSONVILLE HAS THE BALL:
It is hard to tell what will take place when Jacksonville has the ball this week. Washington has played decent defense and the Jags have had some major offensive issues, especially in the last two weeks. Regardless of the bad offense, somehow the Jaguars were able to go 1-1 with Cody Kessler at QB over Bortles. Two weeks ago, despite scoring just six points, the Jaguars defense shut out Andrew Luck and the Colts 6-0. This past weekend though, Jacksonville was trounced by the Titans by a 30-9 score. I have not been able to confirm whether or not Blake Bortles will again be the starter this Sunday or if the Jags roll with Kessler for a third game. The starter though will not matter because Jacksonville will continue with their “run first philosophy” until they are able to get a legit threat at the QB spot. There will be a heavy dose of Leonard Fournette against Washington and the Jaguars are hoping he will have success in order to somehow open up the passing game. To be honest, the offensive scheme from both teams are identical which is why this point total of 36 is the lowest all season. The experts as well as myself see a very ugly and low scoring contest coming in Jacksonville.
BETTING TRENDS:
This is one of those games where historical trends or even trends from this season are totally thrown out the window. Both of these teams are hurting at the QB position. Both teams have had a bad run as of late. In games like this, to me, there is no clear cut favorite so therefore I will gladly take a team that is being given seven points. Hell, Jacksonville may not even score seven, much less cover a spread by seven. Take Washington on logic alone.
WEATHER REPORT:
The weather will be great on Sunday. It will be mostly sunny with a high of 65 degrees and a low of 50. Great football weather in Jacksonville!
Bob’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread: TAKE THE WASHINGTON REDSKINS PLUS THE SEVEN POINTS