-
Charlie Grant
Falcons vs. Jaguars Point Spread: NFL Pre-Season Week 3 Odds, Prediction
Matt Ryan gets his shot to quiet the criticism lobbed at him from Jaguars All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey when the Falcons visit Jacksonville to take on the Jags on Saturday.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Under is the trend to keep in mind with Atlanta. The Falcons have finished Under the total in both pre-season games this summer and have gone Over the number in just six of their last 24 games (regular season, playoffs and pre-season combined) since Steve Sarkisian became the offensive coordinator.
The Falcons are 5-9 straight up and 4-10 against the spread in 14 exhibition games since Dan Quinn took over the head coaching duties in 2015.
Jacksonville is 3-3 SU and ATS under head coach Doug Marrone in the pre-season. The club is coming off a 14-10 win over the Minnesota Vikings last week and put the defensive chomp on Kirk Cousins and the rest of Minny’s first time offence. Jacksonville held the Purple People Eaters to just three points and 67 yards in the first half.
Atlanta Falcons
Matty Ice was one of many quarterbacks to receive negative reviews from Jacksonville’s Jalen Ramsey. The cornerback labelled Ryan as “overrated” and a player who just benefited from playing in former OC Kyle Shanahan’s scheme.
Ryan went from league MVP in 2016 to league-average in 2017. He completed five of seven passes for 90 yards and a TD against the Chiefs last week. He and the rest of the first-team offence are projected to play three or four offensive series against Jacksonville.
Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman, however, will continue to sit out. The Pro Bowl receiver and first string running back aren’t expected to play before the start of the regular season because of their injury histories.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Speaking of Ramsey, he and defensive end Dante Fowler returned to the Jags on Monday after a week’s suspension. Fowler’s name remains prominent in trade talks but he’s expected to play this weekend.
Jacksonville’s starters played for the bulk of the first half against the Vikings and will likely play into the third quarter against Atlanta on Saturday.
Expectations are high in Jacksonville this season. The Jags are co-favourites with the Houston Texans to win the AFC South at +180 at Sports Interaction and their season win total is set at 9.
