Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Atlanta Falcons, 12/19/19 NFL Week 16 Predictions

Jaguars vs. Falcons Total Prediction

The total in Sunday’s non-conference matchup between the Jaguars and Falcons hit the board at 45.5 but has jumped to 46.5 at most sports books. Given Jacksonville’s defensive struggles for much of the year, is the over the play in Atlanta on Sunday?

Game Snapshot

461 Jacksonville Jaguars (+7) at 462 Atlanta Falcons (-7); O/U 46.5

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 22

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA

Public Betting Trends

According to our NFL Football Public Betting Chart page, the Falcons are receiving 59% of the betting tickets from online sportsbooks.

Jacksonville Jaguars Fantasy Spin

Gardner Minshew completed 17-of-29 passes for 201 yards and two touchdowns while supplying an additional 27 yards on five carries Sunday in Jacksonville’s Week 15 victory over the Raiders. The rookie was dropped for two sacks, resulting in a loss of 16 yards. Jacksonville's offense was non-existent in the first half as the Jags went to the break with just 75 yards on their ledger. Much of that output was produced on a single throw, a 55-yard deep bomb to Keelan Cole on the Jags' opening drive. Despite the offense sputtering for large stretches, Minshew came through when it mattered most in the fourth quarter, erasing the Jaguars' deficit with a pair of touchdown passes including a four-yard strike to Chris Conley (his second of the day) to give Jacksonville its first lead with just 31 seconds remaining. Sunday's triumph accounted for Minshew's third fourth-quarterback comeback of the season while also snapping the Jags' five-game losing streak. D.J. Chark's absence was clearly felt against the Raiders, though it's possible he returns for next week's game in Atlanta. His presence would significantly improve Minshew's fantasy prospects

Atlanta Falcons Fantasy Spin

Matt Ryan completed 25-of-39 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns in the Falcons' Week 15 win over the Falcons. Matty Ice did one thing really well today -- target Julio Jones. A lot. Julio ended with 20 targets with the last one coming on Atlanta's game-winning touchdown. Ryan scanned the field before throwing a short strike right in front of the end zone. Julio took a big shot but secured the catch and replay review confirmed he crossed the goal line. It was a thrilling road victory, one that nobody saw coming. The offense should have an easier time in Week 16 with the Jaguars coming to Atlanta.

NFL Betting Trends

Jacksonville

The over is 5-2 in the Jaguars’ last seven games as an underdog and is 5-1 in their last six games played in December.

Atlanta

The over is 4-1 in the Falcons’ last five games as a favorite but the under is 8-3 in their last 11 home games.

Prediction

The Jaguars allowed only 16 points to the Raiders last weekend in Oakland but have otherwise been a disaster defensively. They surrendered 45 points to the Chargers the week prior, 28 points at home to the Bucs three weeks ago and 42 points to the Titans on November 24. In fact, before their solid performance last Sunday in Oakland, Jacksonville surrendered at least 26 points in five consecutive games. The Falcons aren’t as good offensively this year as they have been in years past, mostly because of a crap offensive line. But that O-line has played better of late thanks to the return of injured first-round pick Chris Lindstrom and the Falcons should move the ball pretty much at will this weekend. Hopefully the Jags can give us enough to contribute to the over.

NFL Week 16 Prediction: Jaguars/Falcons OVER 46.5