Jaguars Falcons Line


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The Atlanta Falcons will try and add to their chances of making the playoffs when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday. The Falcons pulled off a remarkable second half comeback to beat the Panthers 31-23. Atlanta is currently the No. 5 seed in the NFC, but are just a game ahead of Dallas and Chicago, who are both on the outside looking in. The Jaguars snapped a 3-game losing streak with an impressive 41-14 win over the Buccaneers on Sunday, but are completely eliminated from making the playoffs at 4-9.

Taking a look at the week 15 spreads, oddsmakers currently have the Falcons favored by 11 points over the Jaguars with the total set at 42.5 points.

Jacksonville Jaguars:

This will be the Jaguars third prime time game this season. They shocked the Ravens 12-7 on Monday Night Football back in week 7, but were crushed just two weeks ago in a 38-14 loss at home to the Chargers.  Even after their impressive win over the Buccaneers, its hard to see the Jaguars pulling off another upset. They are just 1-5 on the road this season with their only win coming against the winless Indianapolis Colts.

It didn’t look good early for the Jaguars against Tampa Bay, as the Buccaneers jumped out to an early 14-0 lead. However, the rest of the game was all Jacksonville. The Jaguars scored the final 41 points thanks  to four scores from star running back Maurice Jones- Drew and seven Tampa Bay turnover, including two fumbles that were returned for touchdowns.

Jones-Drew rushed for 85 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries, while catching six passes for 51 yards and two more scores.  It’s no secret that the Jaguars would be a complete mess without Jones-Drew, who has accounted for 10 of Jacksonville’s 17 offensive touchdowns this season.  However, Jones-Drew could be in for a long day against the Falcons, who are allowing just 80 rushing yards a game at home this season.

If the Jaguars struggle to move the ball on the ground, they are going to have a hard time putting points on the board. Rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert completed 19 of 33 for 217 yards with two touchdowns to two interceptions in the win over the Buccaneers, but has not played very well on the road.

Atlanta Falcons:

The Falcons jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead on the Panthers, but would go into the half down 23-7.  Carolina was moving the ball at will offensively, while the Atlanta offense couldn’t stay on the field long enough to do any damage. That all changed in the second half, as the Falcons outscored the Panthers 24-0 for one of their best wins of the season. If Atlanta can win their final two home games against Jacksonville and Tampa Bay, they should be no worse than the No. 6 seed in the NFC.

Matt Ryan put together one of his best performances of the season against the Panthers, completing 22 of 38 for 320 yards and four touchdowns.  Rookie wide out Julio Jones had just three catches on the game, but finished with a team-best 104 yards and two scores. Roddy White added seven catches for 84 yards and a touchdown, while tight end Tony Gonzalez hauled in seven passes for 82 yards.

Things likely would have been a lot easier for the Falcons if they got a better game out of running back Michael Turner, who had just 76 yards on 21 attempts after rushing for 139 yards and two touchdowns the first time he faced the Panthers. Turner hasn’t exactly been much of a factor of late, totaling just 180 yards with no touchdowns over his last three games.

While the Jaguars held Josh Freeman to just 181 yards and forced him to throw two interceptions, their secondary is a big concern coming into this game. Their top three corners are all on I-R and  starting strong safety Dwight Lowery is listed as questionable with a shoulder injury. This Jaguars secondary was torched for 294 yards and three scores in their blowout loss to the Chargers.

Betting Trends:

Atlanta is 9-22 ATS in home games off a win against a division rival since 1992.

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