Expectations are high in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars welcome the Los Angeles Chargers to town this weekend. Jacksonville is 2.5 games back of first-place Indianapolis in the AFC South, but more importantly, the Jaguars are clinging to a playoff spot as of now, sitting seventh in the AFC.
The Chargers would be the No. 5 seed if the playoffs started right now, as they’re second in the AFC West, holding off the Chiefs while chasing the first-place Broncos.
Both come into this game with must-win mentalities, hoping to enhance their playoff chances.
Here’s a quick glance at Sunday’s game:
TV: CBS
LAST TIME OUT: Chargers 25-10 win over Pittsburgh; Jaguars 36-29 loss at Houston.
LAST MEETING: Jaguars 39-10 at Chargers, Sept. 25, 2022
VEGAS LINE (courtesy Westgate): Chargers -3, +100, O/U 43.5
BETTING TRENDS: The Chargers have covered two of their last three after losing four straight at the window. Los Angeles has failed to cover its last three as a road favorite. Though the Chargers are on a mini 0-2 ATS skid laying points at an AFC foe, they’ve covered 10 of 13 in that role. The Jaguars are in on losing skids of 1-3 SU and 0-3-1 ATS since Oct. 12. They’ve also failed to win and cover their last two at home. The Jags are on a 10-6 ATS run as a home dog.
CHARGERS KEY PLAYERS: Quarterback Justin Herbert just passed for 220 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions for a 90.5 rating last week. He is one of six quarterbacks with an active streak of 15 consecutive games with a passing TD. He ranks first in the NFL in completions (240), rushing yards among quarterbacks (324), second in passing yards (2,610) and is tied for third in passing TDs (19). … Wide receiver Keenan Allen is enjoying his 12th career season with 50-plus catches and 500-plus receiving yards. Allen had five receptions for 41 yards and two TDs in his last meeting, while still with the Bears. … Linebacker Khalil Mack turned in his fourth sack of the season last week and 35th since joining the Chargers. His 111.5 sacks since 2014 are the third most in the league.
PROP TO WATCH: Justin Herbert over 250 yards passing (-120)
Herbert has thrown for 250 or more yards in three of his last five games and now faces a team that is allowing 261.6 yards passing per game. Since allowing 209.3 yards passing per outing after three games, the Jags have allowed 274.7 yards through the air over their last six games.
JAGUARS KEY PLAYERS: Quarterback Trevor Lawrence passed for 158 yards, one touchdown and an interception last week. He’s passed for at least one touchdown in five of his past six games and aims for his third straight at home with 250-plus passing yards. Lawrence threw for 262 yards and three TDs in the last meeting. … Receiver Jakobi Meyers appeared in his first game with Jacksonville last week and led the team with three receptions for 41 yards. He has four or more catches in seven of his last eight games. He’ll play in his 100th career game while aiming for 5,000 career receiving yards (4,985). … Running back Travis Etienne rushed for 58 yards and a TD last week. He has 50-plus scrimmage yards in each of his nine games this season. He aims for his 12th straight with 50-plus scrimmage yards. … Linebacker Devin Lloyd tied for a season-high eight tackles in Week 10. He had seven tackles, an interception and three pass deflections in the last meeting.
PROP TO WATCH: Travis Etienne anytime TD (-105)
The Chargers are tied with eight other teams that have allowed eight rushing touchdowns, the third-highest amount in the NFL this season. And we don’t need him to score a rushing TD, this can be a reception, too. Etienne snapped a four-game scoring drought with a TD last week, and could be poised for another if the Jags get inside the five.
