.jpg "Bengals-at-Jaguars-(CBS)")
The Bengals will need to perform better than they did last time out, when they needed a late touchdown to narrowly knock off the Colts. The Jaguars are a much more talented foe and hope to grab a win as they push for the division title in the AFC South.
Jacksonville has the look of a playoff contenders, and Cincinnati needs a key road win like this to get back into that conversation.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 9 game is set for Sunday, November 5, 2017, at 2 p.m. ET at EverBank Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati Bengals +3.5
Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5
Over/Under 39.5
Odds Analysis
The Jaguars are smaller favorites than their body of work would seem to entail, and not surprisingly, more than 60 percent of the early action is on Jacksonville to cover.
The Jaguars’ defense has been dynamic this season, which leads to one of the lowest scoring totals in the NFL in Week 9. Even as the total is low, the “under” has been the more popular action early on in the week.
Injury Report
Leonard Fournette - The Jaguars star running back missed the team’s most recent game with an ankle injury. Jacksonville had a bye in Week 8 and Fournette seems likely to be good to go in this one. It’s a critical piece for the Jacksonville offense, as Fournette has already rushed for 596 yards and six touchdowns in his rookie campaign.
John Ross -- The Bengals’ speedy receiver was also a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and he is coming off a knee injury. Ross played against the Colts on Sunday was a complete non-factor. He has big play ability but Cincinnati rarely uses him. Ross would love to break out against the Jaguars.
Adam Jones -- The Bengals’ cornerback reportedly has a transverse fracture in his back, although he was active for Sunday’s game against the Colts. The Jaguars don’t have a great passing game so if he is less than 100 percent or can’t play it shouldn’t play a huge role in the outcome.
Key Stat
73. That’s Jacksonville’s positive point-differential this year, which is best in the AFC and second in the NFL behind only the Philadelphia Eagles. Even though the Jaguars may only be sitting at one game over .500, their ability to blow out teams portends good things for the future.
Jacksonville has a defense that can absolutely dominate and when the offense is merely average that is generally a good combination for success. Point-differential can often be more predictive than a win-loss record, and Jacksonville hopes that is the case as it would love to start taking control of the AFC South.
The Jaguars don’t have a good quarterback, which is obviously a less-than-ideal proposition, but they have enough other pieces to be a formidable cog in the AFC the rest of the way.
Free ATS Pick
The Bengals and Jaguars might be pretty close record-wise but there is a pretty big gulf in talent. Cincinnati does have the advantage at quarterback, and Andy Dalton needs to have a good game. A.J. Green is the most talented wide receiver, so the Bengals do have reason for optimism, but the Jaguars’ defense is elite.
Take Jacksonville to win this game and cover the spread. It should be higher since the Jaguars are the more talented team and get the game at home.
NFL Odds: Jaguars 23, Bengals 15
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