Jaguars vs Buccaneers Free Picks: Jaguars Vying For The Top Spot
Tampa Bay Favored With Lawrence Questionable
The Jacksonville Jaguars find themselves in a three-way tie for first place in the AFC South. They may also find themselves starting C.J. Beathard against Tampa Bay after Trevor Lawrence landed in concussion protocol. The Jags will stay in the state this week, visiting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. With Lawrence officially questionable for the game, Tampa Bay is favored by 1 with a total of 43.5 points. The latest NFL lines could change during the week depending on updates regarding Lawrence’s health. The Jaguars vs Buccaneers free picks will look at both teams and the trends and look for the best value play on the board.
Jaguars vs Buccaneers 
Day/Time:
Location: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Line: Tampa Bay -1
Total: 43.5
Streaming: CBS
Jaguars’ Losing Streak Reaches 3
Lawrence’s injury couldn’t come at a worse time for Jacksonville. The Jaguars have lost three straight games. Jacksonville, Indianapolis and Houston are all tied with 8-6 NFL records for the division lead.
The Jags have also lost three straight games against the spread. But despite Jacksonville’s troubles, the Jags haven’t fallen too much in the Super Bowl odds. The Jaguars are still in the +3000 range, which could be a shade low.
Fortunately, this NFL game is on the road, where Jacksonville has played its best football. The Jaguars are 6-1 playing away from home this season, including its two wins in London. Jacksonville is 2-5 at home. The lack of a running game has hurt the Jaguars at times this season.
Jacksonville is averaging 3.6 yards per rush and gaining just 98 yards on the ground. It’s been up to Lawrence and the passing game to do the heavy lifting. The passing game is working well, but could use a little bit of help. Especially if Beathard gets the start on Sunday.
Jacksonville’s defense hasn’t been bad, allowing 22.4 points to teams averaging 22.8 points. The Jaguars allow 4.2 yards per rush and are allowing 256.6 yards through the air. Jacksonville allows a few more yards than their opponents average, but make it tough for teams to score.
Tampa Bay Tied in NFC South
Tampa Bay is tied with New Orleans for the lead in the NFC South, with Atlanta just one game behind. So anybody can win the division. That makes this game crucial for both NFL teams. Tampa Bay’s stats aren’t that impressive, but the Bucs have managed to win half the time they take the field.
Baker Mayfield has done a decent job with Tampa Bay. The Bucs’ offense doesn’t ask him to do everything and he’s a bit older and wiser now than when he was with Cleveland. Tampa Bay tries to play to his strengths and he’s not making the mistakes he made earlier in his career.
The Bucs are similar to Jacksonville on both side of the ball. Tampa Bay doesn’t get a lot of production from the running game, instead relying on the pass to move the ball. The Bucs gain 6.7 yards per pass attempt against teams allowing 6.4 yards.
On defense, Tampa Bay is strong against the run, but allows quite a few passing yards. Tampa Bay allows 96 rushing yards, but 263.9 passing yards per game. But the Bucs do tighten up and make teams work to put points on the scoreboard.
What to Expect
Regardless of who plays quarterback for the Jaguars, Jacksonville is going to have to throw the ball to be successful. Jacksonville doesn’t run the ball well enough to do much damage against Tampa Bay’s run defense. The Jaguars will have to get the passing game working and then can mix in some running plays.
It’s pretty much the same story for Tampa Bay. The Bucs don’t run well and Jacksonville is pretty average against the run. Tampa Bay will have to throw the ball and the Jacksonville passing defense isn’t anything to get excited about.
Who to Bet On?
The Jaguars vs Buccaneers free picks notes that the Jaguars are 2-4 against the spread as an underdog this season and just 3-10 ATS in non-conference games over the last three years. That makes it a bit tough to pull the trigger on the Jaguars, although Tampa Bay is 2-4 ATS at home this NFL season.
The Jaguars vs Buccaneers free picks will instead look at the total on the game. While the over/under seems to be a shade high, this could be one of those games where both teams are forced to throw due to lack of a running game and will take the over 43.5 in this one.
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