Houston Texans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars, 12/30/18 Week 17 Predictions

Texans vs. Jaguars Spread Prediction

The Houston Texans can wrap up the AFC South on Sunday with a victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars at 1:00 p.m. ET. Will they also cover the spread as a sizable home favorite?

Game Snapshot

313 Jacksonville Jaguars at 314 Houston Texans

1:00 p.m. ET, Sunday, December 30

NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Public Betting Trends

According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetNow.eu, the Texans are 7-point favorites to beat the Jaguars. The total, meanwhile, sits at 40 points. As of this writing, 64% of the public betting tickets are on the Texans to cover the point spread.

Jacksonville Jaguars

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports Carlos Hyde (knee) is expected to play Week 17 against the Texans. Hyde was in serious doubt after being added to the injury report on Friday. With Leonard Fournette (ankle, foot) doubtful, Hyde will share backfield duties with T.J. Yeldon and perhaps David Williams in the season finale.

Houston Texans

DeAndre Hopkins (ankle) wasn't listed on the Texans' final injury report for Week 17 against the Jaguars. Hopkins practiced on a limited basis this week, though there was never any concern over his status for Sunday's regular season finale. Even with the threat of shadow coverage from All-Pro Jalen Ramsey, Hopkins remains an elite WR1 in all formats. Hopkins needs 97 yards to establish a new career-high.

NFL Betting Trends

Jacksonville

The Jaguars are just 2-7-2 against the spread in their last 11 games overall and are 1-4-1 ATS in their last six games versus AFC South opponents.

Houston

The Texans are 4-9 against the spread in their last 13 divisional games and are 6-13-1 ATS in their last 20 games overall.

Prediction

The Jaguars showed up last week in South Beach and pulled off a small upset of the Dolphins but I don’t expect lightning to strike twice. Before allowing just a single touchdown to the Dolphins, the Jags had allowed 30, 24, 29, 40, 30 and 15 points on the road this season. This isn’t the same Jacksonville defense that carried the Jags to the AFC title game a year ago. The fact that they’re also switching back to Blake Bortles under center shows the desperation they have on offense. The Texans need this game and getting the undervalued Lamar Miller back at running back helps.

NFL Week 17 Prediction: Houston Texans -7