The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday afternoon in Week 14. Here is a game preview, the betting odds and a final score pick.
We’ve got several incredible games going on in the NFL this week. One of those games you won’t want to miss will be between the Seattle Seahawks (8-4) and the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-4) on Sunday afternoon. Kickoff from EverBank Field in Jacksonville will be at 4:25 p.m. ET on Dec. 10. Chris Myers and Daryl Johnston will be in the booth to call the game for FOX.
Seattle enters play at 8-4 on the year. The Seahawks might be one game back of the Los Angeles Rams (9-3) in the NFC West race, but would be the No. 5 seed in the NFC playoff picture if the season ended after Week 13.
Though the secondary is banged up and the Seahawks have no clue how to run the football, they are in the playoff mix for one reason: quarterback Russell Wilson is playing out of his mind this season. This is the best season of his NFL career and he deserves to be in the NFL MVP conversation for what he has done so far.
Jacksonville enters play at 8-4 on the year. The Jaguars are tied atop the AFC South standings with the Tennessee Titans (8-4). However, Tennessee has the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Jaguars from their Week 2 victory down in Jacksonville. These two rivals will meet in Nashville presumably for the division title in Week 17.
Jacksonville has been ultra-impressive on defense this year. The Jaguars probably have the best defense in football. They are lethal at all three levels. This team runs the ball well with rookie running back Leonard Fournette. Though they’ll need an upgrade over Blake Bortles at quarterback next season, this team looks to be here to stay in the AFC playoff picture for the rest of the decade. This defense is filthy.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Jacksonville -2.5
Moneylines: Jacksonville -135, Seattle +130
Over/Under: 40
According to OddsShark, the Jaguars will be laying 2.5 points at home to the visiting Seahawks. The associated moneylines for this game are Jacksonville -135 and Seattle +130. This game’s over/under comes in at a combined 40 points.
With two defensive-minded teams playing outside, yes, let’s take the under in this one just to be safe, albeit a slight under. We’re not getting 40 combined points in this contest. That’s for sure. As for how this late afternoon game could go, expect it to be a one-possession affair that goes down to the wire.
Jacksonville will have a 17-12 lead late in the fourth quarter. Then Bortles will make a terrible decision with the football. This egregious Jacksonville turnover will set up a Wilson touchdown pass to tight end Jimmy Graham with three minutes left in the ball game.
Jacksonville will get the ball back down 19-17 and in need of a field goal to win it. Fournette will have a brilliant 35-yard run to get the Jaguars within striking distance of a field goal. In his biggest spot of the season, Bortles converts a third and long to set up the game-winning try by Josh Lambo.
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Lambo drains the 38-yarder and Jacksonville wins the ball game by the slimmest of margins, 20-19. The Jaguars will have clinched a winning season with a ninth win on the year, while Seattle fans to 8-5. Seattle does cover the 2.5-point spread.
Pick: Jaguars 20, Seahawks 19