Baltimore Ravens vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars haven't won too many games over recent seasons but they have had some success against the Baltimore Ravens, winning two of past last three meetings outright and going 3-0 against the spread. The Jags seek their first win of this season when they host the Ravens on Sunday afternoon at EverBank Field.

 

Point spread: This game opened as a pick 'em and the total was 47.5 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 22.8-18.8 Ravens (NFL picks on every game)

 

Why the Ravens can cover the spread

After falling to 5-11 last season Baltimore is off to a 2-0 start to this season, both straight up and ATS, following its 25-20 come-from-behind victory at Cleveland last week. The Ravens fell down 20-0 in the first quarter, but turned momentum around when they blocked an extra point attempt and returned it for two points.

Baltimore pulled to within 20-12 by halftime, took the lead for good on the second of three Justin Turner field goals with 11 minutes to go and hung on from there. Turner's third field goal with just under three minutes left also gave the Ravens the cover as four-point favorites.

Baltimore opened its season with a 13-7 victory over Buffalo, holding the Bills to just 160 yards of total offense, covering three points in the process.

 

Why the Jaguars can cover the spread

The case for Jacksonville is a little tougher to make, following last week's 38-14 loss at San Diego. The Jags fell down to the Chargers 7-0 five minutes into the game, and 21-0 at the half, forcing the abandonment of any game plan they might have had.

On the day Jacksonville actually outgained San Diego 388-357, although that should be taken as a situational anomaly considering they were down 35-0 through three quarters.

The Jaguars showed much better in their season opener against Green Bay, leading the Packers well into the second quarter, then reaching the Green Bay red zone in the final minute before running out of downs in a 27-23 defeat. Jacksonville actually outgained the Packers 348-294 but an early Blake Bortles interception led to a Green Bay touchdown that basically decided the game.

The Jags began this season with hopes of contending for a playoff spot, but heightened expectations can be hard to play with as many young teams before them have discovered. However, with expectations dampened by an 0-2 start perhaps Jacksonville can re-focus on taking things one game at a time.

 

Smart pick

Baltimore owns close wins over two bad teams, so it's hard to tell if the Ravens are back or not. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is 0-2, but still has the talent to make a run at .500. Perhaps the heat will help. The smart money here likes the Jaguars, on a rebound play.

 

Betting trends

The Ravens are 8-3 SU in their past 11 games against the Jaguars.

The Ravens are 0-3 ATS in their past three games against the Jaguars.

The Ravens are 12-1 SU in their past 13 games in Week 3.

 

All NFL betting lines and point spreads data courtesy of Bleacher Report’s official odds partner, Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line movement updates and Odds Shark YouTube for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.

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from Bleacher Report - Baltimore Ravens http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2665216-baltimore-ravens-vs-jacksonville-jaguars-betting-odds-analysis-nfl-pick