NFL Preseason Predictions: Panthers a good bet to beat Jaguars? 8/24/17
Are the Panthers a good bet to beat the Jaguars tonight when the teams meet in Jacksonville for NFL preseason play?
The Matchup: Panthers vs. Jaguars, 7:30PM ET, EverBank Field
According to oddsmakers, the Panthers are a 1.5-point road favorite to beat the Jaguars tonight. The game opened as a pick’em before the line moved in favor of Carolina. As for the total, the number hit the board at 43.5, but has been bet down to 43.
Carolina Panthers
Carolina dropped to 1-1 in preseason play with a 34-27 loss to the Tennessee Titans last Saturday afternoon. Cameron Artis-Payne rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown on five carries while rookie Christian McCaffrey scored and added 33 yards on three carries. Derek Anderson, meanwhile, completed 7-of-12 passes for 88 yards but was also intercepted.
Jacksonville Jaguars
As for Jacksonville, the Jaguars couldn’t move the ball against the Buccaneers in a 12-8 loss at home last Thursday night. The Jags didn’t get on the board until the fourth quarter when Marquez Williams caught a four-yard touchdown pass from Brandon Allen. Speaking of Allen, he out-played Blake Borltes and Chad Henne while completing 10-of-15 passes for 144 yards and a touchdown. Allen also rushed three times for 27 yards to lead the Jaguars in rushing.
Our Prediction
Cam Newton is expected to play tonight after he was held out of the team’s first two preseason games. Newton has been rehabbing his surgically-repaired shoulder and was able to take part in passing drills this week. The Jaguars failing to move the ball last week, I’ll take the chance on the Panthers covering the small number tonight on the road. Jacksonville’s quarterback situation is a mess.
NFL Preseason Prediction: Carolina Panthers -1.5
