Packers vs. Jaguars Pick
Are the new-look Jacksonville Jaguars ready to contend with a team like the Green Bay Packers? Here’s our take on today’s 1PM ET on FOX.
According to the oddsmakers at Bovada.lv, Green Bay is favored on the road in this game, as the Packers are getting odds of -4.5 points against the Jaguars. The over/under total for the contest is listed at 48 points. The Jaguars have won two of the last three meetings and are 4-1 against the spread all-time against Green Bay.
Green Bay is plenty excited for the 2016 season now that the Packers are back at full strength on offense, with Jordy Nelson ready to go after missing the 2015 season with an injury. Eddie Lacy also looks to be in better shape and ready to build off what he did two years ago, putting last year behind him. Even with the offensive woes that the team had last year, they were still 11-7 against the spread. Aaron Rodgers wasn’t putting up his normal stats last year, but still knew how to lead the team to wins. This year, he should be back to uncorking the ball and pushing for a 40-touchdown season. Defensively, Green Bay has some questions, but the unit still finds a way to make big plays when needed despite giving up their fair share of yards.
Jacksonville expects 2016 to be the season it finally gets back into the playoff mix. The Jaguars showed a lot on offense in 2015, as Blake Bortles threw for 4,428 yards and 35 touchdowns. He developed Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns into a tremendous receiver tandem as well. With the addition of Chris Ivory in the backfield to join T.J. Yeldon, the Jaguars should be a great offense once again. The question is can the Jags improve on defense? They allowed 375 yards and 28 points per game in 2015, but the team addressed the unit heavily in the offseason through the NFL Draft and free agency. They also get a boost from Dante Fowler Jr., their 2015 first-round pick that tore his ACL well before the season began.
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The Jaguars should be an improved team, but they have a lot of new parts to work in to get there. The offense is dangerous, but racked up a lot of stats when well behind last year. Jacksonville has to show it can do that when it matters, especially against a team like Green Bay. The Packers will be looking to come out firing and show that they are a top contender for the Super Bowl this season. Rodgers and Nelson should connect early and often against the Jaguars. Jacksonville could be a good team in 2016, but it is going to take some time. Green Bay should be great right now.
NFL WEEK 1 PICK: GREEN BAY PACKERS -4.5