Chargers and Jaguars in Saturday Night Wild Card Prime Time

At the beginning, much was expected of the Los Angeles Chargers.  And much was delivered.  Although they were on the brink in the middle of the year, the Chargers finished strong to gain the playoffs.  In turn, Los Angeles is a team nobody wants to deal with.  Of major concern going into Wild Card weekend is if the Chargers are too dependent upon Justin Herbert.  LA’s one betting on NFL hope offsetting is a defense that improved down the stretch.  By contrast, the Jacksonville Jaguars are a major surprise.

Chargers vs. Jaguars CashBet Wagering Analysis

Los Angeles will draw Wise Guy Bitcoin Sportsbook support as a quality team getting a price break on the road.  Counter to that is a Jacksonville team that is on fire.  Casual fans will prefer the Jaguars at home as the new big thing on the board.

Chargers Strike for Impressive Playoff Season

Last game, the Los Angeles Chargers lost 31-28 against the Denver Broncos as 6-point road dogs.  The game went over the Betting on football total of 38.5.  Los Angeles has a record of 10-7 straight up, 11-5-1 against the spread, and 7-10 over/under the total.  Los Angeles ranks 9^th for total offense, 3^rd for passing, 30^th for rushing, and 13^th for scoring.  Defensively they rank 20^th overall, 7^th against the pass, 28^th against the rush, and 22^nd for points allowed.  Also, LA ranks 7^th for fewest turnovers lost and 18^th for takeaways.

The Chargers played most of their starters for most of the game.  Despite knowing they were locked into the fifth seed in the AFC playoffs with a first-round game at Jacksonville on Saturday night.  Justin Herbert threw for 273 yards and two touchdowns.  Specifically, it was his 27th consecutive start with 20 or more completions.  Herbert played three quarters and left with the Chargers trailing 31-20.

Chargers coach Brandon Staley had many of his stars on the bench by the time the Broncos salted away the win.  However, Staley’s decision to keep his players sharp in an otherwise meaningless game might prove costly.  To show, Chargers wide receiver Mike Williams was carted off the field with a back injury.  And linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. suffered a stinger.  Also, Joey Bosa, who just returned from a groin injury last month, was limping along the sideline.

Jaguars Make Great Leap Forward

Last game, the Jacksonville Jaguars won 20-16 against the Tennessee Titans as 6-point home favorites.  The game went under the NFL bets total of 39.5.  Jacksonville has a record of 9-8 straight up, 8-8-1 against the spread, and 8-9 over/under the total.  Jacksonville ranks 10^th for total offense, 10th for passing, 14^th for rushing, and 10^th for scoring.  Defensively they rank 24^th overall, 28^th against the pass, 12^th against the rush, and 12^th for points allowed.  Also, Jacksonville ranks 16^th for fewest turnovers lost and 5^th for takeaways.

Josh Allen’s 37-yard fumble return with 2:51 remaining helped the Jaguars beat rival Tennessee.  As a result, they secured their first AFC South championship since 2017.  It’s the 18th time in the last 20 seasons that at least one NFL team won its division after finishing last or tied for last the previous year.

Jacksonville closed the regular season with its fifth consecutive victory.  Correlate, they became the fifth team in NFL history to make the playoffs with a five-game losing streak and a five-game winning streak in the same season.

In sum, Trevor Lawrence completed 20 of 32 passes for 212 yards, with a touchdown and a fumble.  Lawrence had two would-be touchdowns in the second half fall incomplete.   To illuminate, he overthrew Zay Jones in the end zone and underthrew Christian Kirk.

Chargers vs. Jaguars CashBet Free Picks   

As mentioned earlier, the Chargers are getting a road team price break with the NFL Betting odds.  

Chargers vs.  Jaguars CashBet Best Bet

Los Angeles Chargers