After going 1-7 to start the year, the Atlanta Falcons season ended before they even reached their bye week. However, the Falcons have responded with some fight ever since, winning four of six – including a surprising 29-22 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 15. Now, the Falcons will look to continue to lay the foundation for future success when they host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday afternoon.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Jacksonville is 0-3 both straight up and against the spread (ATS) versus NFC opponents so far this season. They’ve failed to cover nine of 11 non-conference games. They’ve been solid on the road, though, as they are 3-4 as the visitor compared to 2-5 at home. They’re 5-3 ATS in their last eight as a road underdog of 3.5 to seven points.

Meanwhile, the Falcons are 5-9 SU and 6-8 ATS this season. However, Atlanta has looked much better the last two weeks with a pair of wins over the 49ers and Carolina Panthers in which they easily covered the spread. The Falcons are also looking for their first win over a non-conference opponent this season after starting 0-3 versus the AFC South. In fact, Matt Ryan and company are 0-13 ATS in their last 13 overall versus AFC opponents.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Nobody expected the Jaguars to rebound from four straight double-digit losses to shock the Oakland Raiders but they got up off the mat in that game. Rookie Gardner Minshew III led the comeback victory with two touchdown passes to Chris Conley in the final five minutes, showing the promise of a franchise quarterback. Minshew threw for 201 yards in the victory with most of it coming late while running back Leonard Fournette ran for 42 yards on 15 carries. If they are going to have any shot at building off that win, Jacksonville will need more from its offense on the road in Atlanta. This team seems to go as Fournette does but he’s surpassed the 50-yard mark just once in his last six games. They probably won’t win in Atlanta unless he gets closer to 100.

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta will certainly be trying to pick up from where it left off following emotional wins over Carolina and San Francisco. Matt Ryan was held to 210 yards against the 49ers, but he delivered in the clutch including a pair of touchdown passes to Julio Jones. The Falcons have shown flashes of the team most expected them to be this season of late. Now they will try to finish strong and lay the foundation for a bounce back next season.

The Falcons defense has been a big key in the team’s recent play. This unit is giving up just 19.2 points per game in their last six, which coincides with head coach Dan Quinn giving up the defensive play-calling. That average includes a 35-point letdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who are red-hot right now, so that goes to show just how improved the Falcons defense has been in their other contests. They should be able to muzzle a Jaguars offense that’s been mostly pulse-less over the last month.

Who Will Win Jaguars vs. Falcons?

Weather

condition

dome

Injuries

Jacksonville

Brandon Watson (CB)

Prob Sun Hamstring - 28 / 12 / 19

Dede Westbrook (WR)

Ques Sun Neck - 27 / 12 / 19

Josh Allen (DE)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19

A.J. Bouye (CB)

Out Sun Wrist - 25 / 12 / 19

Taven Bryan (DL)

Ques Sun Wrist - 25 / 12 / 19

DJ Chark Jr. (WR)

Ques Sun Ankle - 25 / 12 / 19

Leonard Fournette (RB)

Out Sun Illness - 25 / 12 / 19

D.J. Hayden (CB)

Ques Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19

Abry Jones (DT)

Ques Sun Elbow - 25 / 12 / 19

Brandon Linder (OL)

Ques Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19

Atlanta

Jordan Miller (DB)

Out Sun Suspension - 26 / 12 / 19

Brandon Powell (WR)

Out Sun Wrist - 26 / 12 / 19

Ricardo Allen (S)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19

Allen Bailey (DE)

Prob Sun Hand - 25 / 12 / 19

Kenjon Barner (RB)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19

Adrian Clayborn (DE)

Out Sun Knee - 25 / 12 / 19

Ricardo Allen (S)

Ques Sun Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19

Kenjon Barner (RB)

Prob Sun Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19

Jamon Brown (G)

Out Sun Illness - 19 / 12 / 19

Jack Crawford (DL)

Ques Sun Thigh - 19 / 12 / 19

Injuries

Jacksonville

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Brandon Watson (CB)	Prob Sun	Hamstring - 28 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Watson is expected to face the Colts on Sunday despite a hamstring injury.
Dede Westbrook (WR)	Ques Sun	Neck - 27 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Westbrook is dealing with injuries to his neck and shoulder. It is uncertain if he will be available for Sunday's contest against the Colts.
Josh Allen (DE)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Allen is managing an injured shoulder, and his status for Sunday's game against the Colts is hazy.
A.J. Bouye (CB)	Out Sun	Wrist - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Bouye has an injured wrist and will not be available for Sunday's clash against the Colts.
Taven Bryan (DL)	Ques Sun	Wrist - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Bryan has a wrist injury, and his status for Sunday's game versus the Colts is in question.
DJ Chark Jr. (WR)	Ques Sun	Ankle - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Chark has an injured ankle, and his availability for Sunday's matchup with the Colts is in question.
Leonard Fournette (RB)	Out Sun	Illness - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Fournette is dealing with an illness, and he will not be healthy enough to take the field versus the Colts on Sunday.
D.J. Hayden (CB)	Ques Sun	Knee - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Hayden has a knee issue, and his status is murky for Sunday's game against the Colts.
Abry Jones (DT)	Ques Sun	Elbow - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Jones is nursing an elbow injury, and it is unknown if he will play against the Colts on Sunday.
Brandon Linder (OL)	Ques Sun	Knee - 25 / 12 / 19	0-1	0-1	+ -
Linder has a knee issue, and it is undetermined if he will take the field against the Colts on Sunday.

Atlanta

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Jordan Miller (DB)	Out Sun	Suspension - 26 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Miller has been issued a four-game suspension for violating the league's policy on performance-enhancing drugs and will be ineligible for Sunday's game against the Buccaneers.
Brandon Powell (WR)	Out Sun	Wrist - 26 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Powell is dealing with a wrist injury and will not dress for Sunday's clash against the Buccaneers.
Ricardo Allen (S)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Allen is managing shoulder and knee injuries, and it is unclear if they will impact his status for Sunday's clash against the Buccaneers.
Allen Bailey (DE)	Prob Sun	Hand - 25 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Bailey has a hand injury, but it is projected that he will take the field against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Kenjon Barner (RB)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 25 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Barner is dealing with shoulder and hip injuries, and it is unknown if they will impede his availability for Sunday's clash against the Buccaneers.
Adrian Clayborn (DE)	Out Sun	Knee - 25 / 12 / 19	1-0	0-1	+ -
Clayborn is dealing with a knee issue, and he will not suit up against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Ricardo Allen (S)	Ques Sun	Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19	2-0	1-1	+ -
Allen has a shoulder injury, and it is undetermined if he will play against the Jaguars on Sunday.
Kenjon Barner (RB)	Prob Sun	Shoulder - 19 / 12 / 19	2-0	1-1	+ -
Barner is dealing with shoulder and knee injuries, but it is expected that he will suit up for Sunday's game against the Jaguars.
Jamon Brown (G)	Out Sun	Illness - 19 / 12 / 19	2-0	1-1	+ -
Brown missed the last game with an illness, and he will not be healthy enough to play against the Buccaneers on Sunday.
Jack Crawford (DL)	Ques Sun	Thigh - 19 / 12 / 19	2-0	1-1	+ -
Crawford is dealing with a thigh injury, and it is undetermined if he will play against the Jaguars on Sunday.