When the Chargers offense is clicking, it's hard to stop them. They outscored the Vikings, Titans, Steelers 89-40 over the last three weeks and should have no problem continuing that dominance this week. This Jags defense just let Davis Mills put up 36 points after the Raiders put up 29 on them following trading away their top receiver. The Jags are allowing the fifth highest redzone scoring percentage and the 2nd most passing touchdowns a game. Herbert has his full arsenal of weapons healthy and should tear up this secondary, leading the squad to their sixth straight 23+ point game.
The Chargers went out last week and proved they could win without Joe Alt against a strong pass rush, which they struggled doing earlier in the season. While this is a long trip from Los Angeles, itтАЩs tough to see Jacksonville has legitimately competitive in this spot, especially with a weaker front. The Jaguars will get more offensively against than they did last week, but with the Chargers having all their weapons for Justin Herbert, they should be able to thrive despite the tough road spot knowing they can go all out with a bye week approaching. Would take this through -3 (+100).
Jakobi Myers had an instant impact in his first game with Jacksonville last week with forty one yards. It was his best performance since week three, as he went under his yardage prop his last four games with the Raiders. A plus for Myers is he has seen the Chargers defense already this season with the Raiders in week two and had sixty eight receiving yards. Take Myers to clear his yardage prop for a second straight game.
The Jags were bad last week; 26-0 4th quarter against them not withstanding the team struggled to get anything going offensively against the tenacious Texans front. The Chargers defense isn't cut from the same cloth and I fully expect their leaky run defense to be a problem against this Jags attack. Also keep in mind before last week's results this number was 1.5 throughout the market so we'll buy the dog on the dip at a full field goal tag.
Etienne has 14+ carries in 6/9 games this season, and barely went under this rushing yards total last week against an excellent Texans defense. The Chargers rank 27th in defensive rush DVOA, so I expect Jacksonville to try to exploit them on the ground and keep possession. LA has been destroyed by several RB1s this season, so I think Etienne will find success in this matchup.
Chargers QB Justin Herbert keeps takng a licking -- and keeps on ticking. He has been victimized by 11 sacks the past two weeks and absorbed nine hits last Sunday alone. Yet L.A. extended its SU win streak to three with the league's largest points differential during the run. Jacksonville's lone outright win the past month was a one-pointer over lowly Las Vegas, with the slump mostly attributed to shoddy defense. The offense's outlook has grown dim this week with several players ruled out because of injuries -- two of them TEs. In fact, the injury report overflows with 15 names. For Herbert, the toll from hitting the turf might eventually become too much. Until then, ride with him against a struggling foe.
I was licking my chops to play the Jaguars this week after their late collapse at Houston combined with the Chargers looking like world beaters on National TV. I thought the line would be much higher but evidently the oddsmakers see this similarly to the way I do. Very much a buy low spot on Jax and sell high on spot on LAC. The offensive line holes are going to catch up with the Chargers as Herbert sees more pressure than any other QB in football. Jags rush the football and win a defensive battle at home.
Parker Washington returned to practice Thursday, and Brian Thomas Jr. and Brenton Strange are practicing too. There's a good chance all three suit up Sunday vs. the Chargers, helping a disjointed Trevor Lawrence. Travis Etienne also could find some running room against an LA defense allowing 4.9 yards per carry. Jacksonville is 3-1 at home, including victories over the Chiefs and Texans. The lone loss was 20-12 to Seattle. While the surging Chargers deserve to be favored, I like taking a full field goal with the hosts.
The Jaguars just scored 29 points against a great Texans defense on the road, but that result is misleading. They had a punt return TD and a short TD drive after a turnover to boost their total, which wasn't supported by their 3.9 yards per play and 213 total yards on offense. The Chargers have been one of the best defenses in the league recently, allowing just two offensive TDs over the last three weeks. This shouldn't be a difficult matchup for Jesse Minter's defense.
The Jaguars elevated Mullens to the active roster from the practice squad Saturday.
McConkey (rib) is listed as questionable for Sunday's game against the Raiders, ESPN's Kris Rhim reports.
Van Lanen (knee) does not carry an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.
Pipkins (knee) has been ruled out ahead of Sunday's game against the Raiders.
Oluokun (wrist) does not have an injury designation ahead of Sunday's game against the Broncos, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.
Leonard (abdomen) is officially listed as questionable for Sunday's game versus Las Vegas.
Molden (hamstring) is officially listed as out for Sunday's game versus Las Vegas.
Thomas (shoulder) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Denver, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
Jakobi Meyers (thumb) was limited at Friday's practice but doesn't have an injury designation for Week 2 at Denver, Ryan O'Halloran of the Florida Times-Union reports.
Allen (hip) doesn't have an injury designation for Sunday's game at Denver, Ryan O'Halloran of The Florida Times-Union reports.
