Pro Football Free Picks
Jacksonville at BALTIMORE (39')
By Chris Jordan, Featured Handicapper
Week Nine of the NFL season opens tonight in Charm City with a game between the Jaguars and the Ravens, and it is a game that will hold Under the posted price thanks to Baltimore’s quarterback situation.
Lamar Jackson is on injured reserve, Tyler Huntley is dealing with a toe injury, and rookie Joe Fagnano is set to make his first NFL start despite an ankle issue. Fagnano completed just 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with an interception against Buffalo. Baltimore has also scored only 11 points per game over its last three contests, a troubling offensive trend heading into a short-week matchup.
The Jacksonville defense provides another reason to expect a lower-scoring game. The Jaguars are allowing just 15.9 points per contest, and they have recorded nine interceptions, tied for the third-most in the league.
The Jags have played Over the total in their last pair of games, but their previous four had all landed Under the total, as they are on a 4-2 Under run for their last six games overall.
The Ravens have played two of their last three games Under the total, and have also landed Under the posted price in two of their last three home games.
Primetime numbers also support at lower-scoring contest, as six of the last nine primetime games have landed Under the total, including each of the past three Thursday night contests.
Go Low in Baltimore on Thursday night.
Jacksonville (-10) at BALTIMORE
By Joice Adams, Featured Handicapper
Jacksonville enters Thursday night with a significant edge at the most important position on the field - QUARTERBACK!
Baltimore will be without Lamar Jackson, while Tyler Huntley’s toe injury leaves rookie Joe Fagnano in line for his first NFL start. Fagnano struggled in relief against Buffalo, completing just 10 of 21 passes for 91 yards with an interception, and he is also managing an ankle problem. Asking an inexperienced quarterback to handle that responsibility on a short week against a Jacksonville team coming off a 42-7 victory is a difficult proposition, and quite frankly, I am surprised tonight's line isn't higher.
The Jaguars have found their offensive rhythm behind Trevor
Lawrence and a productive running game. Lawrence needed only ten completions in
the rout of Indianapolis, while Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez Jr. combined
for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 22 carries.
Baltimore will likely run its offense through Derrick Henry, but if I know that, you can assume the smarter football minds in the Jags' coaches room also know that, and I am sure they will force Fagnano to make plays through the air. The Ravens have lost three consecutive games and are just 1-6 ATS since their opening-week blowout of the Colts.
Baltimore is at home, and this is a bigger impost, but to play the underdog tonight is asking to get beat.
Could the Ravens find a way to cover? I suppose so, but gun
to my head, I would rather lose with the Jaguars tonight.
Play the visiting Jags for the win and the cover.