On Sunday afternoon, the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-8, 6-4 ATS, 6-4 O/U) will face off against the Detroit Lions (8-1, 7-2 ATS, 4-4-1 O/U) in an exciting inter-conference matchup. The Jaguars recently suffered a home loss to the Vikings, while the Lions celebrated a thrilling comeback victory against the Texans. Their previous meeting took place in 2020, where Detroit emerged victorious.
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Jacksonville’s Challenge Against Minnesota
The Jacksonville Jaguars are determined to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat. After starting the season with promise, they have struggled significantly. Their only recent victory came against the Patriots in October. Since then, they have lost three games in a row, primarily due to defensive issues. This includes a narrow 28-23 loss to the Eagles followed by a disappointing 12-7 home defeat against the Vikings last week, where they were 6.5-point underdogs. However, they have managed to cover the spread in four consecutive games.
In the absence of Trevor Lawrence, who is nursing a shoulder injury and missed last week’s game, Mac Jones will lead the offense. Lawrence has thrown for 2,004 yards with an 11:6 touchdown to interception ratio. Jones struggled in his last outing, completing just 111 yards and throwing two interceptions. Meanwhile, rookie Tank Bigsby, who has rushed for over 100 yards in two games this season, is questionable due to an ankle injury. He has accumulated 519 rushing yards, while teammate Etienne Jr. has added 298 yards.
Rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. has been inconsistent, tallying 60 or fewer receiving yards in four of his last five appearances, totaling 607 yards for the season. He is also questionable due to limited practice participation. The Jaguars’ offense has shown some resilience, scoring 23 or more points in three of their last four games and averaging 302 yards.
Defensively, the Jaguars have struggled immensely. They have allowed at least 28 points in four of their last six games, including 30 points to the Packers. They improved last week, holding Minnesota to just 12 points, but still conceded 402 yards. Currently, their pass defense ranks 30th in the league, while the rush defense is 21st. Overall, Jacksonville averages 20.2 points per game, placing them 21st, while allowing an average of 26.4 points, ranking 28th.
Detroit’s Pursuit of Dominance
The Detroit Lions are firmly positioned at the top of the NFC standings with an impressive 8-1 record, leading Minnesota by one game. Since week two, when they faced a narrow home loss against the Buccaneers, they have been on a roll. Last week, they staged an incredible comeback against the Texans after trailing 23-6, ultimately winning 26-23 as 4.5-point favorites. Their recent victories include key wins over the Vikings and Packers, and they have covered the spread in all but two games this season.
Quarterback Jared Goff has been productive, surpassing 240 passing yards in four of his last six outings. Despite a rough game last week where he threw five interceptions, he displayed poise in the second half. Goff’s stats for the season include 2,080 passing yards with a 16:9 touchdown to interception ratio.
The Lions’ running game is formidable, primarily led by Jahmyr Gibbs. The young running back has surpassed 100 rushing yards in two of his last four games, totaling 727 yards. Veteran David Montgomery has also contributed significantly with 520 rushing yards, showcasing his ability to take over games when needed.
Detroit’s receiving corps poses multiple threats. Amon-Ra St. Brown recorded 60 receiving yards last week and has amassed 524 yards this season. Additionally, Jameson Williams has returned from suspension and has added 415 receiving yards. The Lions’ offense has been prolific, scoring over 30 points in four of their last six games and averaging 366 yards per game.
While the Lions’ defense is not as dominant as their offense, it remains solid. They held the Packers to just 14 points two weeks ago and limited Houston’s high-octane offense to 248 yards last week. The pass defense currently ranks 28th, but their rush defense is strong at sixth. The team is bolstered by standout Aidan Hutchinson, and Zaire Smith, recently acquired, is expected to make his return this week.
Detroit averages 31.6 points per game, placing them second in the league, while allowing only 19 points, ranking eighth defensively.
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