Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Giants Point Spread Picks

New York has been a big surprise winning five of six, though they've played only one true road game. The offense is all about running the football to take the pressure off QB Daniel Jones (5 TDs, 2 INTs) and they rank just #18 in scoring with 21.2 points per contest. But this is a difficult matchup for them, heading out on the road to face a Jacksonville defensive front that is third in the NFL against the run allowing 89.3 rushing yards per game, and third in rushing yards allowed per carry (3.6). NFL road teams like the Giants with a winning record off an upset win as a home underdog are 78-133 ATS. The New York run defense is last in the league in rushing yards allowed per carry (5.6) and #27 surrendering 144.8 rush yards per game. Jacksonville's offense is 11th in total yards, including Top 10 in rushing yards, while the defensive secondary has the sixth-most interceptions (7). This is a tough matchup and situational spot for the Giants after facing the Packers in England, the Ravens last week, and now heading out on the road in humid weather. Play Jacksonville. 

The Giants and the Jaguars were light years apart in 2017, but that bridge appears to have been narrowed considerably. The Giants finished 11-5 in 2016 and dropped to 3-13 a year ago, as things can change fast in the NFL. The Giants appear to have put all their chips in to making a run in 2018 with 37-year-old QB Eli Manning. It starts with Odell Beckham Jr., as when he went out injured last year the wheels came off the offense. He will be complimented by Sheppard and Engram this season. Saquon Barkley gives the Giants a versatile RB that could help close games and keep defenses honest and tough to defend. Jacksonville had a breakout season last year, but this is also a team that has not made consecutive playoff appearances since 1999. Everything went right for the Jags last season, including Blake Bortles throwing zero INTs in the playoffs. The Jaguars are mostly the same, but often times a team that has everything go right one year, meets a different fortune the next. The Giants are hungry and ready, so take the points on New York.

Jacksonville got a win in the preseason opener, but that was at home. Now they head out on the road in rebuilding mode with a bad quarterback rotation of Blake Bortles, Chad Henne, Steve Morris and Jeff Tuel. After working his players hard in camp last week Gus Bradley didn't have the Jaguars practice in full pads much of this week, more interested in taking it easy on them. Jacksonville is rebuilding on the offensive line and last week allowed two sacks and got just 3.1 yards per rush. The defensive unit was torched on the first series of last week's game against the Steelers. The pass rush was invisible and cornerback Davon House, one of the Jaguars' top free agent signees, was torched by Steelers' WR Martavis Bryant for a 44-yard touchdown. They face a New York Giants team off a bad road game, losing at the Bengals 23-10. They still topped 100 yards rushing and averaged a solid 4.4 yards per carry. The Giants have a fine one-two August QB punch with Eli Manning and Ryan Nassib, and have home field for this one. Coach Tom Coughlin is 5-1 his last six preseason games, including 7-4 in week two. Look for a strong effort by the home team. Take the Giants.