Jacksonville took a few big steps forward this season, but in the end it will be another straight-up losing campaign after posting just one victory over its last five games. The Jaguars went just 1-3-1 against the spread during this slide including a 38-27 loss to New Orleans this past Sunday as two-point road underdogs. The total went OVER the 53.5-point closing line and it has now gone OVER in four of their last five games.
The future is bright for the Jaguars on the offensive side of the ball with Blake Bortles throwing the ball to the likes of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns and rookie running back TY Yeldon added 740 yards on 182 carries to bolster the ground game. Bortles has lit things up with 4,189 passing yards and 35 touchdown throws, but that was not nearly enough to keep pace with a Jacksonville defense that is ranked 31st in the NFL in points allowed (27.9).
Houston took a big step towards nailing down the AFC South Division title with back-to-back road victories against both Indianapolis and Tennessee in its last two games. The Texans upset the Colts 16-10 in Week 15 as two-point underdogs and this past Sunday it ran over the Titans 34-6 as 3.5-point favorites. The total was split in those two games, but it has stayed UNDER in three of their last five outings.
While JJ Watt continues to lead a Houston defense that is ranked third in the NFL against the pass and in total yards allowed, it has been a carousel of quarterbacks leading the offense this season. In light of injuries to both Brian Hoyer and TJ Yates, the Texans turned to journeyman Brandon Weeden against the Titans and he delivered with 200 yards passing and two touchdown throws while completing 15-of-24 attempts. The offense also rushed for 128 yards in that game with Alfred Blue leading the way with 45 yards on 15 carries.
The Jaguars have just one SU win in their last 15 road games and they went 3-3-1 ATS in seven road games this season. The total has gone OVER in four of their last five games on the road.
The Texans are 4-2 ATS in their last six home games and they come into this matchup with a 4-1 record ATS this season when closing as favorites. The total has stayed UNDER in four of their last six home games.
Head-to-head in this AFC South tilt, Jacksonville is 4-2 ATS in the last six meetings with the total going OVER in four of its last six road games against the Texans. Houston drew first blood in this season’s series with a 31-20 victory on Oct. 18 as a 2.5-point road underdog. The total went OVER the 43-point closing line.
