Jaguars at 49ers: Preview, prediction, odds and pick

The Jaguars will look to hand Jimmy Garoppolo his first loss as a member of the 49ers on Sunday when the two teams battle on Christmas Eve.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have become the biggest surprise of 2017, heading into Week 16 with a 10-4 record and the third seed in the AFC at the moment. Even then, they’re still looking to clinch an AFC South title when they head to California to play the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.

The Jaguars’ record is shocking, but it may be even more surprising that they haven’t been able to clinch a usually-weak division with a 10-4 showing through Week 15. However, they’re still just two games ahead of the Tennessee Titans, and could clinch the division and at least a top-four seed with a win on Sunday in Santa Clara.

However, the 49ers, despite being kicked out of postseason contention at the end of November, are still fighting for wins ever since Jimmy Garoppolo came in and saved the day under center in their offense. He’s undefeated as a starter for the Niners, and even remains undefeated as a starting quarterback in his entire NFL career, and will have his biggest test on Sunday against the Jaguars.

Odds: Jaguars -4, according to Odds Shark

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The Jaguars are slightly favored in this game, which is to be expected for a team looking to earn a top-two seed in the AFC in the second-to-last week of the season. However, the 49ers will put up a huge fight, and it’s not likely that this game is decided by more than one possession.

Even with Garoppolo’s emergence as the 49ers’ dream quarterback, I think the Jaguars will deliver the next Joe Montana his first loss in a red uniform and clinch themselves an AFC South title along the way in a close game.

Prediction: Jaguars 24, 49ers 20