Los Angeles Chargers (3-5 SU, 3-4-1 ATS) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3 SU, 5-3 ATS)
Week 10 NFL
Date/Time: Sunday, November 12, 2017 at 1PM EST
Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, Florida
TV: CBS
By Loot, NFL Football Handicapper, Lootmeister.com
Point Spread: LAC +4/JAC -4
Over/Under Total: 41
The Los Angeles Chargers come to EverBank Field on Sunday for a week ten matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Chargers are coming off a bye week, following a 3-5 start to the season, including a 21-13 loss to the Patriots in their last game. Still, they could easily have a better record if they had caught some breaks and remain dangerous as an opponent, even in a tough road spot like this. They visit a Jaguars team that is 5-3, coming off a 23-7 home win over the Bengals. After a bye week and then this being their second game at home in a row, they are nice and dug-in, looking to do more damage.
The Chargers had a chance to go to .500 last week, but beating the Patriots on the road was a bit too much to ask. After an 0-4 start to the season, they peeled off three straight wins leading up to the loss at Foxborough. They are showing some positive signs on both sides of the ball, while lacking the consistency to really put it all together. Injuries haven’t helped, nor have mistakes, but the Chargers are on their way up with a lot of talent across all areas. They can still put together a stout aerial attack, along with a good back in Melvin Gordon. On the other side of the ball, they are showing a lot of bite. Normally a roadblock to victory, the defense has been the best part about the Chargers in recent weeks, with the offense strangely not carrying its weight.
Philip Rivers is still the man for the Chargers, but he has put forth some bad performances in recent weeks. He hasn’t really gotten the most out of a good crew of ball-catchers. Keenan Allen hasn’t really produced the kind of play he once did. Gordon is on some weeks and off in others. Getting talented Mike Williams more into the offense will help. And with two good tight ends in Hunter Henry and Antonio Gates, along with Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, and others, they should be a more bankable group. So far, there has been a disconnect of sorts on this side of the ball. But let’s also not forget that with some better placekicking, they could easily be 5-3.
Things could have gotten really ugly this season if not for the solid play on this side of the ball for the Chargers. Even without Jason Verrett, the secondary has been good, with Casey Hayward, Trevor Williams, Tre Boston, and Jahleel Addae getting the job done. Rookie Desmond King has been a surprise. In the middle, they might be getting Denzel Perryman back and he can be a difference-maker in the middle along with Hayes Pullard, III. and Jatavis Brown. They are getting standout play with Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram, as the pass-rushing tandem has combined for 17 sacks. DE Chris McCain has been getting after quarterbacks, as well. On the season, they are giving up just 19 points a game on average and for most recent Chargers’ teams, that would be enough.
Jacksonville has been pretty good, one of the more-interesting up-and-coming teams in the league. There were the losses to the Titans, Jets, and Rams, but other than that, they’ve been really good. When they win, they win big. In their five wins, they have not allowed more than 9 points. They play good defense, boasting a really good secondary with big playmaking across all areas of the “D.” They also run the ball really well and that alone is a good formula for success. They are tied with Tennessee for the best record in the division and look for more this week in a winnable home spot.
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Even without suspended Leonard Fournette, the Jags were able to take control of the game against the Bengals. They have a lot of depth in the run-game and while TJ Yeldon and Chris Ivory leave something to be desired as featured backs; they can produce and did so on Sunday. Bortles was adequate on 24-for-38 passing with 259 yards. The offense only put up three field goals and a single TD with Bortles hitting Marqise Lee for a score. The other 7 points came on a Jaydon Mickens punt return for a touchdown. They may not have needed it on Sunday, but Fournette gives this offense a lot more juice and one hopes they can iron out whatever the issue is in time for this week and moving forward, as well.
Jacksonville really made it hard on the Cincinnati offense on Sunday. They could only muster 29 yards rushing, though they tried. Andy Dalton could only complete 10 passes for a paltry 136 yards. The Bengals managed a scant 8 first downs on the day. They continue to get good play up-front and on Sunday, Calais Campbell and Malik Jackson each had sacks. Also up-front, newly-added defensive tackle Marcell Dareus showed some good signs and might just be the missing piece Jacksonville needed, with run-defense a bit leaky. They are very tight against the pass, with Jalen Ramsey, AJ Bouye, Barry Church, Teshaun Gipson, and others really getting the job done in the secondary. They really get after the quarterback and having Dante Fowler will be big if he returns this week. With Telvin Smith and Myles Jack in the middle, along with pass-rushing end Yannick Ngkaoue, there is a lot of playmaking on this loaded defense.
In this matchup, we will see two playmaking defenses and it might come down to who makes more plays. The Chargers offer some interesting wrinkles on offense that could trouble a “D” like Jacksonville’s. They can run the ball with Gordon and offer a versatile aerial attack with a lot of different guys who can do damage. With the Jaguars, it’s a little tricky, as they do in fact have some down-weeks. And when their defense doesn’t deliver, the shortcomings and inconsistency of the offense comes more into view. I see a good game from the Chargers this week.
Loot’s Prediction to Cover the Point Spread: I’m betting on the Los Angeles Chargers plus 4 points. Tired of your credit card not working for sportsbook deposit? End that problem today and bet the Chargers vs. Jaguars by signing up at Bovada Sportsbook where your credit card WILL work and where you’ll receive a generous 50% sign-up bonus!
