Broncos vs. Jaguars Prediction
Will the Denver Broncos have to rely on defense more than ever when they face the Jacksonville Jaguars today 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 just 39.5 points. Jacksonville has won three of the last four in this series and the two have hit the over in three of the four meetings.
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. They are also 6-5 with the over, but the bigger news to come from the loss is starting QB Trevor Siemian suffered a foot injury that will keep him out for at least today’s game. Rookie QB Paxton Lynch will get the start. 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 and is questionable to suit up as well due to an ankle injury. Denver is already without C.J. Anderson due to a knee injury. 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 7-4 with the over this season, hitting it in four of their last six 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 out with a hamstring injury. Leading rusher Chris Ivory is also out with a hamstring injury. T.J. Yeldon has had a disappointing second season, rushing for only 318 yards and one score. While the Jags are giving up 26.6 points per game on defense, 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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The total is low, but I think this game will be a real offensive struggle. The Jaguars defense is better than some of the numbers indicate. They have some players, just have been put in tough spots by a turnover-prone offense. Denver’s defense know this game is on them, so look for them to play at a high level against this poor Jacksonville offense.
NFL WEEK 13 PREDICTION: BRONCOS/JAGUARS UNDER 39.5