This could be the game to see which coach is the next to go. Both Jacksonville’s Gus Bradley and Tampa Bay’s Lovie Smith are on the hot seat after disappointing starts to the season. But the problems go further back for both. We can pretty much guarantee one thing this week: a team from the state of Florida will get a win. But the way things are going a tie can’t be ruled out. It’s not the most attractive matchup on the schedule but both teams desperately need a win.
ODDS
Tampa Bay opened as a 3-point favorite. The game is viewed as a toss-up with the Bucs getting the standard field goal for home field advantage. The total opened at 43.5 and was wagered down to 42 after watching these teams struggle to sustain any offense.
KEY INJURIES
Brandon Linder – Was lost for the season with a torn labrum. The Jags best offensive lineman will be replaced in the lineup by A.J. Cann.
Paul Posluszny – Suffered a high ankle sprain last week and could be lost for several games depending on the severity of the injury. Undrafted rookie Thurston Armbrister was thrust into the starting linebacker spot after playing only special teams the first three games.
T.J. Fatinikun – Was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. The Bucs reserve defensive lineman had two tackles in last week’s loss to Carolina.
KEY MISMATCH
The Bucs expected growing pains when they drafted Jameis Winston first overall in April. But if coach Lovie Smith is going to prove he’s making progress with this team, they can’t afford many days like the one Winston had last week. His four interceptions and a botched center snap on the game’s second offensive play led to 27 Carolina points. So the Bucs are walking a tightrope showing patience with Winston, who has thrown six touchdowns and seven interceptions this season, while showing the franchise is moving forward. Not an easy task. Frankly there’s not much positive news. The offense can’t develop any momentum, the defense remains suspect and the special teams are a mess. Winston is only one player, but he is the face of the franchise in the position that gets all the attention. He must show he can manage a game, take care of the football and avoid significant damage from defenses. He failed in all three areas last week.
KEY STAT
-4 – Tampa Bay’s turnover margin. The Bucs have the second-most giveaways in the NFL with 10 and a league-high tying seven interceptions. Jacksonville has only one interception and three takeaways.
BETTING ANGLE
For the fourth year in a row the Jags have zero or one win in the first quarter of the season. They dropped to 1-3 with last week’s overtime loss to Indy. The previous three years they didn’t recover, finishing 2-14, 4-12 and 3-13. Now the question is: will they do better in the second quarter and go on to win more than four games? They have the Bucs, Houston, Buffalo in London and the Jets in their next four games, so maybe they have a chance. Then again those teams aren’t eying the Jags as a tough weekend, either. If they don’t do better than 1-3 in those game, the heat will be turned up even higher on Bradley.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Both teams have shown promise in exactly one game this season. The Jags took down the Miami Dolphins and Tampa Bay surprised New Orleans. So, what’s the difference between the teams? Jacksonville played the Colts close on the road, Luck or not. The Bucs have been absolutely blown away by bad teams and look erratic at best with Winston under center. Winston threw four picks to Carolina and the defense couldn’t prevent Cam Newton from throwing two touchdown passes on 22 attempts. The Jags’ formula isn’t hard to figure out. Blake Bortles has Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson to spread it out to, and back T.J. Yeldon went for 105 yards on 22 carries last week. If the Jags can fluster Winston into a few mistakes, it seems probable that they’ll play a ball control approach on the way to a win.
Jacksonville 22, Tampa Bay 16
BookMaker opened the spread for this Sunday game at -3 in favor of the Buccaneers. The NFL odds total surfaced at 43.5. Now you can wager in-game while the action unfolds with BookMaker's live betting option.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will start at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, October 11, 2015, at Raymond James Stadium. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
