Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos Football Odds & NFL Picks

Written October 12, 2008 by Brad Marchetti

The Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos game will feature two solid teams that oddly, are a terrible 2-7-1 ATS record this season. Denver has opened some eyes this season with a Mike Shannon bred offense ranked #2 in the NFL. The Jaguars have grinded there way to a 2-3 record under Jack Del Rio. In their last game, Jacksonville lost as -5 chalk to the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jags defense is still hard as granite, but QB David Garrard is forcing issues too much. The Jags defense did pound Denver 23-14 last year on their home turf with their explosive running tandem of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. The NFL betting odds on the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos game is Denver -3.5.

The Denver Broncos offense led by QB Jay Cutler is fast and exciting. Cutler has not developed into Brett Favre just yet, but the 3rd year player is improving each week. Cutler (55 MPH Pass-Speed = 95 MPH Fastball) has a top-flight NFL wideout in 6′4″ 230 Lb. Brandon Marshall (4.35 40-speed). The Cutler to Marshall bomb squad will attack a Jags secondary allowing a 95.0 passer rating. Jacksonville could be much improved in the secondary this week however, with the anticipated return of starters CB Drayton Florence and FS Reggie Nelson, both solid players. The Jags pass-rush has been ho-hum ranked 22nd in the NFL despite off-season upgrades. The Broncos O-line has surprised, paving the way for the 1st ranked offense in the NFL. Jay Cutler has had plenty of time to throw having only been sacked twice. The Jaguars 16th ranked scoring defense will catch a break when they face a Denver offense missing two top weapons in TE Tony Scheffler and WR Eddie Royal. Scheffler’s replacement TE Nate Jackson, (6′3 235 Lb.) is a good wideout that will test the Jags suspect pass coverage. Jacskonville is a very physical defense in the front seven that can dominate when they are in a groove. The Broncos will be without starting RB Selvin Young (5.7 YPC.). Young’s replacement Michael Pittman (450+ Bench-Press) is a power back that should fill in nicely. The NFL betting odds OVERUNDER is at 48 points for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Denver Broncos game.

Jacksonville’s potent running duo of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew have struggled. The talented tandem is averaging only 4.0 yards per carry for the Jags run-heavy offense. A rash of injuries have decimated the O-line, making running lanes at a premium for the two power backs. The result of the mediocre production has been turnovers by ball-control QB David Garrard. Garrard has a cannon for an arm (60 MPH Pass-Speed = 100 MPH Fastball), but he is limited by his receivers. The Jags have a physical wideout crew but they lack speed. Denver has suffered in the secondary from the lack of a consistent pass-rush, allowing an alarming 105.4 passer rating. The Broncos 25th ranked defense showed improvement across the board in last week’s 16-13 against Tampa Bay. Denver’s aging secondary is better than their numbers indicate and MLB Nate Webster (4.50 40-speed) is a playing at a pro-bowl level. Webster along with OLB D.J Williams (4.45 40-speed) and OLB Boss Bailey (4.50 40-speed) have the talent to stop the Jags on the ground. Denver Kicker Matt Prater and Punter Brett Kern have been weapons on special teams.

The Broncos usually play well at home, and this week Denver will face an underachieving Jags team on the ropes. Jacksonville will need to find ways to penetrate the O-line and get to Cutler. Was the Broncos improved defensive effort a sign of things to come or a fluke? Are The Jaguars going to have a breakout game with all of their talent?

If you need a winner this weekend then take a look at the NFL picks offered by expert handicapper Brad Marchetti. He breaks down the NFL spreads on a weekly basis and finds the game worth a look for your NFL betting.