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Say what you want about this week’s primetime NFL matchup, but the Titans and Jaguars are two young teams in a hotly contested division. Marcus Mariota hasn’t always been great this year, but he’s had some of his best games against Jacksonville and is a three-point favorite for Thursday.
Here’s a complete look at all the betting info you need to know, as well as a prediction for the outcome:
Jaguars vs. Titans Week 8 Betting Info
Note: All odds and numbers courtesy of OddsShark.com and are updated as of October 27
Spread: Titans (-3)
Betting Percentages: 58 percent on TEN (-3.5)
Over/Under: 43.5
Betting Percentages: 55 percent on Over 46.5
Season in Review: Jaguars: 2-4 Overall, 4-2 ATS; Titans: 3-4 Overall, 2-5 ATS
Prediction
The Vegas love affair with the Jaguars is officially over. A team that was praised for their moves in the offseason and picked as an outside playoff contender has been nothing but disappointment. Last week, the Jaguars were actually a one-point favorite at home over Oakland, only to be embarrassed 33-16.
What’s wrong with the Jaguars? It starts with Bortles, and everything trickles down from his play. His mechanics haven’t been great this season, and the big-play offense the Jaguars were running last season has stagnated. It’s caused a drop in production for Hurns and Robinson, who have been stifled and the short passing game. The lack of productive passing has also short-circuited the run game, and the Jaguars rank 30th in rushing yards per game.
The Titans are near the top of that list, as they’ve been one of the best rushing teams in football this season. The problem is when the rushing game can’t sustain the lead, and Marcus Mariota is forced to take on the defense. Tennessee hung around with the Colts for four quarters last week, only for Mariota to make the critical mistake, getting stripped for a defensive touchdown late that put the game out of reach.
That’s the Titans formula and it won’t change for Thursday night: if the Titans can get the lead and pound the football, they’ll win the game. If the Jaguars can force some mistakes and hang around for four quarters, things could get interesting. I see DeMarco Murray having a great game, and the Titans cruising to victory.
Prediction: Jaguars 16, Titans 31 (Titans against the spread, Over 43)