NFL Week 8 Thursday Night Football Preview & Free Pick
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Thursday, Oct 27, 8:25 p.m. (ET) CBS
NFL Pointspread: Tennessee -3.5
Total Line: 43
Jacksonville at Tennessee Game Matchup Overview
Jacksonville may be off to a disappointing 2-4 straight-up start to its fans, but bettors have remained ahead of the game with its 4-2 record against the spread. This past Sunday, the Jaguars lost both ways in a 33-16 setback to Oakland as two-point favorites at home. It was the first time Jacksonville closed as a favorite this year and the fourth time in six games where the total went OVER closing line.
The Jaguars come into this division clash with an offense that is ranked 27th in the NFL in yards per game and 24th in points with an average of 19.5 a game. Blake Bortles has thrown just as many interceptions as touchdowns (9) and Jacksonville’s running game is grinding out just 76.7 yards a game. Defensively, this unit is a respectable ninth in the league in yards allowed (325.2), but it falls all the way to 26th in points allowed (26.7).
The Titans are slightly better in the AFC South standings at 3-4 SU, but they are just 2-5 ATS. This past Sunday they lost to Indianapolis 34-26 as 3.5-point home favorites. The total went OVER the 48-point closing line and it has gone OVER in their last four games. Tennessee is now just 2-15 SU in its last 17 home games and it has failed to cover in its last five games at home.
Second-year quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown for 1,604 yards and 12 touchdowns on an offense that is ranked 27th in the NFL in passing yards per game, but the Titans have proven to be one of the better rushing teams in the league behind running back DeMarco Murray. He has carried the ball 139 times for 633 yards and five scores in his first seven games. Tennessee’s defense has done a good job at stopping the run and this unit is 10th overall in total yards allowed.