Jaguars vs. Broncos Pick
With a backup QB set to star for the Denver Broncos, can they find a way to cover on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday at 1PM ET?
According to the oddsmakers at BetDSI, the Broncos are a road favorite in this game, as Denver is getting odds of -3.5 points against the Jaguars. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 40 points. Jacksonville has won three of the last four in this series and the Jags have covered in four straight against the Broncos.
Denver is coming off a 30-27 OT loss to the Chiefs at home last Sunday night to fall to 7-4 on the season. The Broncos are also 7-4 against the spread, covering in all seven victories. The big concern for Denver is starting QB Trevor Siemian is dealing with a foot injury that has his doubtful to play on Sunday. If he can’t go, Paxton Lynch will get the start. Siemian has thrown for 2,396 yards and 15 touchdowns this year. Lynch has played in two games, throwing for 393 yards and two touchdowns. He took a loss in his only start. He will head up an offense averaging 24.2 points and 353.4 yards per game. Denver could use a boost from RB Devontae Booker, but he has just 475 yards this season. Denver will likely continue to rely on its defense in this game. The Broncos are giving up just 19.9 points and 331.5 yards per game this season. The Broncos have 35 sacks and have forced 20 turnovers as a unit. Von Miller continues his amazing play, as he has 49 tackles with 12.5 sacks in 2016.
Jacksonville is coming off a 28-21 loss at Buffalo to fall to 2-9 on the season. The Jags are 5-6 against the spread this year, but have failed to cover in their last two home games. Jacksonville has a very poor offense that is averaging just 19.5 points and 346.2 yards per game. Blake Bortles has thrown for 2,749 yards and 20 touchdowns, but also has 13 interceptions. Bortles will be without one of his top targets in Allen Hurns, who is doubtful with a hamstring injury. Leading rusher Chris Ivory is also doubtful with a hamstring injury. While the Jags are giving up 26.6 points per game, they are allowing just 332.9 yards per game. Creating turnovers has been an issue, as the Jags have just seven on defense this year.
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While Denver will be without Siemian, things could be worse. The Broncos still have their stellar defense that makes plenty of big plays and will be up against a turnover-prone Jacksonville offense. The Jags’ defense should give Denver some problems, but the Broncos will likely grind out some scores and get short fields by creating turnovers on defense.
NFL WEEK 13 PICK: DENVER BRONCOS -3.5