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On Sunday afternoon, two struggling teams from the AFC will clash as the Jacksonville Jaguars (3-11) face off against the Las Vegas Raiders (2-12). Their last meeting in 2022 saw the Jaguars emerge victorious by seven points. Recently, Jacksonville suffered a home defeat to the Jets, losing 32-25, while the Raiders fell to the Falcons on Monday night with a score of 15-9. Currently, the Raiders are favored by 1.5 points as they prepare for this matchup. Fans can catch the action at 4:25 EST from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, with the game airing regionally on CBS.
Which team will seize the opportunity in this battle for pride within the AFC? Continue reading for insights and predictions regarding the Jaguars vs. Raiders.
Jaguars Struggle with Consistency
The Jacksonville Jaguars have faced a disappointing season, currently sharing the bottom of the AFC South with the Titans at 3-11. While Trevor Lawrence’s injury has impacted their performance, he still played in ten games, contributing to the team’s early struggles with a 2-8 record. With playoff hopes dashed, they are left to regroup with three games remaining. Last week against the Jets, rookie wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. made headlines with 105 receiving yards and two touchdowns despite the loss.
The Jaguars turned to Mac Jones at quarterback after Lawrence was ruled out for the season. Jones has thrown for over 220 yards in his last three appearances, boasting a 65.7% completion rate this season. However, his stats include a 4-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In the backfield, Tank Bigsby and Travis Etienne Jr. share responsibilities, with Bigsby leading the team with 644 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Meanwhile, Thomas Jr. is breaking out as a standout rookie, leading the Jaguars with 64 catches for 956 yards and eight touchdowns.
Despite their offensive efforts, the Jaguars rank 26th in the league, averaging 18.8 points per game. Their defense is also struggling, allowing 26.9 points per contest, placing them 28th overall. Linebacker Devin Lloyd leads the team with 94 tackles, while Travon Walker, the former number one overall pick, tops the squad with 8.5 sacks. The team has recorded just five interceptions this season, with contributions from five different defenders.
Injury Report:
Questionable: G Brandon Scherff, T Walker Little, G Ezra Cleveland, TE Brenton Strange
Out: QB Trevor Lawrence, TE Evan Engram, WR Gabe Davis, WR Christian Kirk
Raiders in a Tailspin
The Las Vegas Raiders find themselves tied with the Giants as the only teams in the NFL with just two wins. As the season winds down, the focus shifts toward improving their draft position. With three games left, the Raiders have a chance to play spoiler, especially in their final matchup against the Chargers, which could impact playoff standings. In their last game, the Raiders managed only nine points in the loss to the Falcons.
Quarterback Desmond Ridder stepped in after Gardner Minshew’s injury, but struggled to find consistency. Ridder led a late drive that resulted in a score, but his performance overall was lacking, completing 59% of his passes for 208 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions on the season. Alexander Mattison is the leading running back for the Raiders, yet he has only accumulated 341 yards and three touchdowns. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers stands out offensively, notching 90 receptions for 968 yards and four touchdowns.
As for scoring, Las Vegas ranks 29th in the league, averaging just 17.5 points per game. Their defense, allowing 26.9 points per game, sits at 27th overall. Robert Spillane leads the team in tackles with 126, significantly ahead of his teammates. Maxx Crosby, who has contributed 7.5 sacks, will miss this game due to injury. The Raiders have eight interceptions this season, with cornerback Jack Jones contributing two.
Injury Report:
Questionable: WR Jakobi Meyers, G Jordan Meredith, CB Sam Webb
Out: QB Gardner Minshew, Maxx Crosby
Best Bets for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders
