The Chargers have to win a game and break out of a six-game slump at some point, don’t they? San Diego has won four straight against Jacksonville and Sunday’s game presents the best opportunity. But the Jags are riding a two-game winning streak and are right in the thick of the AFC South hunt.
NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Jacksonville Jaguars -3.5
San Diego Chargers +3.5
Over/Under 48.5
ODDS ANALYSIS
The total fell two points to 46.5 and still holds some value with teams that aren’t the most explosive offensively. When the Chargers are dogs, the under is red hot. Total bettors have cashed under tickets in five of San Diego’s last six games as an underdog.
KEY INJURIES
D.J. Fluker – Is back in the league’s concussion protocol after suffering another concussion during last week’s game. He is doubtful to play Sunday. The Chargers’ offensive line will also deal with the possible loss of King Dunlap, who is nursing an ankle injury.
Dan Skuta – The Jags’ starting outside linebacker re-aggravated a groin injury last week against the Titans and sat out practice. He said he doubts he’ll be able to play on Sunday. Hayes Pullard III is his likely replacement.
KEY MISMATCH
The Jaguars brought tight end Julius Thomas in to help quarterback Blake Bortles in the passing game. The investment is starting to see some results. Coach Gus Bradley said he saw a difference in Thomas before last week’s game. For the first time this season, Thomas was completely back from the hand injury that cost him the entire preseason and first four games. Thomas caught five passes for 28 yards and a touchdown in the Jags’ 19-13 win over Tennessee. The scoring catch put the Jaguars ahead for good with 3:30 to play. Thomas beat a linebacker in man coverage with a stick route and Bortles put the ball where only his receiver could catch it. The play shows that Thomas and Bortles are improving their chemistry together. With Thomas missing so much time at the beginning of the season, that was going to take time. Thomas had 108 receptions in the previous two seasons with Denver and is becoming a big part of the Jags’ offense.
KEY STAT
21.1 – Jacksonville’s points per game average. The Jags’ rank 23rd in the NFL in scoring, and face San Diego’s 31st-ranked scoring defense.
BETTING ANGLE
It might seem long ago, but at one point during the Mike McCoy era, the Chargers won 10 of 12 games and were sitting 5-1 in the AFC West. San Diego finished the 2013 regular season by winning four straight games to reach the playoffs. Once in, the Chargers dispatched the Bengals before losing to Denver in the divisional round. They started 2014 by winning five out of their first six games to lead the AFC West. Since then, the Chargers have lost 14 out of their last 20 games. At 2-8 this season, the Chargers have the longest losing streak in the NFL, currently on a six-game slide, and they’ve been a nightmare for both fans and bettors. How hard are times in San Diego? For just the second time since 2010, Jacksonville is favored by more than a field goal.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Phillip Rivers can’t do it all by himself. The Chargers were without their top two receivers, No. 1 tight end, and the offensive line was in shambles last week and the result was a 33-3 thrashing at the hands of the Chiefs. San Diego’s running game is non-existent and Rivers was left on an island. While he tried his darndest, he just couldn’t lift the Chargers out of their funk. But while the Chargers are lacking wins, it’s hard to question the effort. Unfortunately, they just don’t have the horses healthy to compete and the Jags come away with the win to stay relevant in the AFC South.
Jacksonville 27, San Diego 23
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The game between the San Diego Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars is slated for Sunday, November 29, 2015, at 1 p.m. ET at EverBank Field. The matchup will be televised live on CBS.
