Bad News Bengals Host Struggling Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4 SU, 2-5 ATS, 3-4 O/U) thought they were a Super Bowl caliber team coming into the 2008-09 season, but are now just hoping to make the playoffs after struggling all season long.
The winless Cincinnati Bengals (0-8 SU, 2-6 ATS, 3-5 O/U) have no hopes for reaching the postseason – and are still searching for their first win after losing to the Houston Texans 35-6 on Sunday.
Jacksonville recorded another shocking loss in the BetUS Sportsbook on Sunday, falling to the resurgent Cleveland Browns 23-17 while failing to cover as 7-point home favorites.
Cleveland used a stellar defensive effort, led by overpowering nose tackle Shaun Rogers, to keep Jaguars running backs, Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor in check while forcing quarterback David Garrard into a mediocre performance despite throwing for 283 yards and two touchdowns.
“That dude’s an animal,” Garrard said of Rogers. “We had a few plays designed to try to use his strength against him and he just put more strength into it and made some huge plays on third-and-shorts and even on fourth-and-short. He’s the biggest guy on the field and might be the biggest guy in the whole league.”
Off to an 0-8 start for the fourth time in franchise history, the Bengals are just two losses away tying their team-worst start of 0-10 which came in 1993.
The Bengals have allowed a whopping 73 points in the last two weeks and were torched by Houston quarterback Matt Schaub who completed 24 of 28 passes for 280 yards and three touchdowns.
The Bengals struggled mightily as backup quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed just 20 of 32 passes for a measly 155 yards and two interceptions. Fitzpatrick was sacked twice and Cincinnati also lost a fumble while racking up seven penalties.
Here is a look at the key trends for each team, followed by my in-depth analysis and NFL Gambling Free Picks:
Jacksonville is 2-5 ATS in its last 7 games
The total has gone OVER in 14 of Jacksonville’s last 19 games
Jacksonville is 9-4 ATS in its last 13 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Jacksonville’s last 11 games on the road
Jacksonville is 7-2-1 ATS in its last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
Jacksonville is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games when playing Cincinnati
Jacksonville is 4-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing on the road against Cincinnati
Bengals
Cincinnati is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Cincinnati is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games
The total has gone UNDER in 10 of Cincinnati’s last 14 games
Cincinnati is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games at home
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Cincinnati’s last 6 games at home
Cincinnati is 1-3-1 ATS in its last 5 games when playing Jacksonville
Cincinnati is 1-9 SU in its last 10 games when playing Jacksonville
NFL Odds
Jacksonville Jaguars -7½ -110
Cincinnati Bengals +7½ -110
Over 40 -110
Under 40 -110
Analysis: Jacksonville is playing this contest at the most opportune time as they need a win in the worst way! Not only will they get the win, but they will also cover the spread in this ‘lock’ matchup, while winning going away.
