The Titans (7-9-0) have seen their lead in the division evaporate on the back of a six-game slide. At the same time, the Jaguars (8-8-0) darted into first place behind a four-game winning streak.
This is it. The stakes can’t get any higher. The division title is on the line, bringing with it the promise of postseason action. But who will deliver?
If the NFL odds were any indication, Jacksonville is poised as the considerable favorite on the board. The Jags are priced as the -265 favorites on the moneyline (bet $265 to win $100) and as the touchdown favorite in point spread betting. The total, in the meanwhile, is priced at a modest 40 points.
We’ve constructed a two-leg, same-game parlay for your consideration using the aforementioned odds. Find out which side we are backing in this pivotal AFC tilt, and, importantly, how we’re lining up for this parlay bet below.
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
Titans vs Jaguars Same-Game Parlay
- First Leg: Jaguars -6½ (-115)
- Second Leg: Over 40 (-110)
Same-Game Parlay Odds Calculated: +292
First Leg: Jaguars -6½ (-115)
After Tennessee led the AFC South for the better part of the first half of the season, it must be hugely disappointing now to be in this win-and-in situation against the Jaguars. Not to mention the confidence-killing, six-game losing streak itself, which includes a 0-5-1 record against the spread
Still, the Titans have one last crack and they’re going for it with veteran quarterback Josh Dobbs instead of rookie Malik Willis. It’s Mike Vrabel’s belief that Dobbs will give the Titans the best chance to win this game. [Hope springs eternal].
The argument against Willis is his lack of experience and versatility. The Titans became a predominantly run-first team, putting the onus almost exclusively on star running back Derrick Henry. In Willis’ three starts, this strategy yielded one win only.
The move to a veteran quarterback therefore makes a lot of sense. Especially given all that is at stake on Saturday night. It also will take the pressure off Henry, who is reportedly dealing with a hip injury. But it’s not without its downside as well.
The biggest worry is the tiny sample size provided by Dobb’s lone start this season. Is it really enough to hang one’s hat on?
Dobbs completed 20 of 39 passes for 232 yards, one touchdown and one interception in the Titans’ 27-13 loss to the Cowboys. It goes without saying, Dobbs would have been in a much better position for success had he had at least a couple of starts under his belt in the lead up to this very important game.
Mike Vrabel announces that Josh Dobbs will be QB1 as they take on the Jaguars in a fight for the AFC South title. pic.twitter.com/Lxj52AjYiD
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) January 2, 2023
The Jaguars are one of the hottest teams right now and Trevor Lawrence is reminding everyone why there was so much hype surrounding him in the draft in 2021.
This is all down to Doug Pederson, who has turned this organization around in just one season. Jacksonville has won four straight and six of its last eight games – its the best run of form in years! As well, one of those precious victories was a 36-22 win over the Titans at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, when Ryan Tannehill and Henry were in the lineup.
The Jags have also gone 6-2-0 against the spread (ATS) in their last eight games. Interestingly, seven of those saw Pederson’s side tipped in plus money (as the underdogs) on the way to the outright upset. Last Sunday, however, the Jags closed as the -3½ favorites only to crush the spread in a 31-3 win over the Houston Texans.
Trevor Lawrence has officially arrived 🔥#DUUUVAL pic.twitter.com/7O2d7TsjsL
— The 33rd Team (@The33rdTeamFB) December 26, 2022
Second Leg: Over 40 (-110)
One of the reasons for the Jaguars’ recent run of good form is the improvement on the offensive side of the ball. The Jags are scoring an average of 24 points per game this season, but that number has gone up in recent weeks. In their last three games, they averaged 30 ppg – the fourth-highest in the league.
Lawrence has had a 14-2 touchdown-to-interception ratio since Week 9. He’s taking care of the football and playing mistake-free football – two things that are going to be key in this AFC South showdown.
Helping the Jags’ offense is also the improved play of the defense. The Jaguars have allowed merely 13.3 ppg in their last three outings.
By comparison, the Titans’ offense is stagnating. Their season average is 17.6 ppg while their average in the last three games is a lowly 13.7 ppg (third-lowest in the league). At the same time, the defense is conceding 21 ppg.
By the stats, the Jaguars are poised to win this game and to do so convincingly. Add to that the fact that Dobbs is a wild card and betting on the Titans in any capacity becomes a risky proposition. It’s true that Dobbs gives the Titans more options in the passing game than Willis does, but by that same token, there’s more opportunity for things to go wrong. This is a pressurized situation, one that Dobbs has no experience with either.
The odds and predictions in the article are based on the time of writing and publication. They may differ as to when the actual event takes place.
