Jacksonville Jaguars maestro Tom Coughlin did his best impersonation of Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino during a media scrum this week, essentially telling reporters to “Get off my lawn” when pushed on the team’s recent struggles.
Yes, things are going sideways in Jacksonville.
The Jaguars have lost three in a row after a breakeven 4-4 start to the schedule, and their expensive offseason addition, QB Nick Foles, hasn’t exactly lit the world on fire in his first two starts back from a broken collarbone suffered in Week 1. That and he doesn’t even have a cool mustache.
But salvation is coming to North Florida in the form of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Jacksonville’s sputtering offense, which is averaging only 12 points during this three-game slide, will face a Tampa Bay team just handing out points like Black Friday flyers.
The Bucs are giving up more than 30 points an outing, due in part to Jameis Winston’s turnover troubles. Tampa Bay’s opponents have received plenty of extra touches and prime starting field position with Winston getting picked off 20 times in 2019.
It won’t all be decided on Winston’s wayward passes in Week 13. To Foles’ defense, he hasn’t been terrible in his first two full starts as the team tries to figure out its offensive identity. The former Super Bowl MVP is working off the rust, gaining timing with his targets, and gets to pick apart an absolutely-rotten Bucs secondary this Sunday
The schedule sides with the Jags here as well, with Jacksonville back home off two tough road stops against strong defensive teams in Indianapolis and Tennessee. Tampa Bay, on the other hand, is playing its second straight road game after a win in Atlanta and is infamous for falling flat, going 0-5 ATS in its last five games coming off a victory.
Now, if Foles could only grow a killer stache before Sunday.
PICK: Jacksonville +2
NEW YORK JETS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS (+3, 41.5)
Sam Darnold is making up for lost time. After being written off with mono at the start of the season, the Jets QB is putting in overtime – just not on the field.
According to the New York Post, Darnold was celebrating the team’s win over the Raiders last week HARD – hitting the club with his teammates and making out with randoms. Witnesses say the Jets were partying like they had won the Super Bowl, which is music to the ears of spot bettors looking for a luscious letdown in Week 13.
Enter the winless Bengals – a team even Viagra would have a hard time getting up for. Cincinnati sucks but has sucked a little less in recent games. Depending on where you got the Bengals last week (were +6.5 and +7 for a while), they’ve covered in two straight games and hung tough with the L.A. Rams back in Week 8.
Andy Dalton is back under center after being replaced for a few starts, and that brief demotion could light a fire under the ginger-haired QB in Week 13. While Cincy will likely pass on re-signing Dalton, the veteran is essentially singing for his 2020 supper this Sunday.
There's a small chance WR A.J. Green could come back this weekend, but with or without him, we’re betting the Bengals and the points.
PICK: Cincinnati +3
MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (-3, 50)
Good teams find a way to win, and Seattle is a very good team. But in the world of sports betting, just finding a way to win doesn’t always cut it.
The Seahawks have been making their fans – and bettors – sweat like Patrick Ewing in a hot wings eating contest held in a sauna. Seattle has seen eight of its first 11 games decided by a touchdown or less, with four of those contests coming down to a field goal or fewer.
Last week’s 17-9 win over Philadelphia was very telling. The Seahawks had every chance to put that game away but couldn’t close the door on the Eagles, who made a push a little too late to make a difference to the spread. It has me questioning Seattle’s killer instinct as does the 8.1 fourth-quarter points allowed by this defense on the season.
Minnesota comes to the Emerald City off a bye week, with six wins in its last seven games. Granted, plenty of those victories were against opponents high in saturated fats, but with an extra week (and a day) to prep for Seattle, I expect a solid two-way effort from the Vikings on Monday Night Football.
Oh, and Minnesota, well it gives up only 3.1 points per fourth quarter – lowest in the NFC.
PICK: Minnesota +3
Week 12: 2-1 ATS
Season to date: 21-15 ATS
21+. NJ only. Odds may vary. Eligibility restrictions apply. See website for details.
