The New York Jets (7-7, 3-4 home) host the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-8, 2-5 away) in a game featuring a pair of postseason hopefuls trying to keep its playoff hopes alive. The winner will also take control of the all-time series that is currently even at eight wins apiece.
Thursday’s kickoff is set for 8:15 p.m. EST at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Jets are a 1.5-point favorite, while the over/under total is 37 points.
What to Know – Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville came back from 17 points down in the fourth quarter last week to stun the Dallas Cowboys and keep its playoff hopes alive. The Jaguars still have some work to do but are one-game back of the Tennessee Titans for the AFC South Division lead.
The Jaguars are on the cusp of having a top-10 scoring offense in the NFL, sitting 12th, averaging 24.1 points and 367.9 yards of total offense per game. Jacksonville’s defense is on the other end of the league average, surrendering 23.4 points and 370.7 yards of total offense to opponents.
Starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence showed up on the injury report as questionable but is expected to suit up Thursday night and play through a toe injury. The Jaguars will be without rookie linebacker Trevon Walker who is mending an ankle injury.
Jacksonville is 6-8 against the spread this season and 2-5 ATS on the road. The Jaguars are 9-4 ATS in their previous 13 contests against the Jets.
What to Know – New York Jets
New York has lost three in a row but still remain in the playoff hunt with three weeks to go. The Jets sit at the bottom of the AFC East Division but can still capture a Wild Card spot in the playoffs.
Battered by injuries this season, the Jets’ offense has struggled, sitting in the lower half of the NFL, scoring 20.1 points and 336.9 yards of total offense per game. The Jets’ defense is fourth in the league holding opponents to 18.8 points and 305.4 yards of total offense per contest.
New York will be without quarterback Mike White, handing the starting role over to Zach Wilson. Starting running back Zonovan Knight is questionable but should play after participating in a full practice on Wednesday.
The Jets are 8-6 ATS with a 3-4 record against the spread at home this year. New York is 5-2 ATS over its last seven contests against teams from the AFC.
The Pick is In
The ebbs and flows of an NFL season for mediocre teams is always something to behold, and both of these franchises fall into that bucket.
Jacksonville is the hotter of the two, and while it is hard for us to see a way the Jaguars light up the scoreboard against this Jets defense, it is even harder to imagine New York offense doing the same.
Momentum is a real thing, and the Jaguars have all of it heading into Thursday’s tilt.
The Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars ML
