While neither squad has been perfect as the NFL season races towards November, each has shown admirable qualities that have put them in the decent positions they’re in today. Jacksonville partook in a wild Thursday night contest in Week 7 against the Saints and ran away with a 31-24 win. Pittsburgh played in Los Angeles against the Rams – with plenty of terrible towels in attendance – and earned a 24-17 victory.

The NFL odds feel that momentum will carry the Jaguars to victory, if narrowly, by placing them as a -2.5 favourite.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

For two sides contending in the same conference, this marks their first clash since 2020, which somehow doesn’t sound right. There have been no shortage of memorable games between the Floridian and Pennsylvanian clubs. Two playoff matchups and a bunch of closely contested affairs.

Some interesting stats to keep in mind. The home team has not won any game since 2011, playoffs included. That’s a run of five consecutive road wins. The last two were earned by the Steelers when visiting the Jaguars, and the under has connected in five of the last six outings.

The Jaguars aren’t just making their fanbase happy with the strong start to the season, but betters as well. At 5-2 ATS, Jacksonville is one of the safer bets in the NFL through seven weeks. What’s more, the outcomes have mirrored whether the club has outright won their games or not.

The same can be said of the Steelers, who have a 4-2 tally against the spread, which is exactly how they look in the standings. Also like this week’s opposite number, they too cover the spread when they win the game and vice versa.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Week 7’s contest in Louisiana versus the New Orleans Saints was a fantastic way to kick off that weekend’s action. In fact, it doesn’t seem as though any of the subsequent contests lived up to the hype produced by this game.

The 31-24 win by the Jaguars had a little bit of everything. Great offensive plays, great defensive plays, an impressive comeback, a great, late game-winning touchdown, and a few surprises to boot. Trevor Lawrence wasn’t amazing (20-for-29, 204 yards and a TD), but he didn’t have to be because everyone put their backbone into this win. He even gained solid yardage with his legs (59), bolstered by Travis Etienne’s 53 yards and two scores. Christian Kirk continues to be a great addition to the receiving corps (six receptions, 90 yards, one TD).

It was a wild game in the sense that the Jags’ defence stepped up tremendously in the first three quarters, then allowed the Saints to come back and tie the game at 24-24, and, when protecting a 31-24 extremely late lead, saw Saints TE Foster Moreau out-duel Jacksonville coverage in the end zone…and drop a sure touchdown pass.

WR Zay Jones is questionable.

Pittsburgh Steelers

If there is a template to how the Pittsburgh Steelers earn their victories, it’s starting slow, allowing their defence to keep the score within striking distance, and then take over late.

It’s something they did a few times last season, then again this year (the Monday night opener versus the Browns being an example), and yet again in L.A. versus the Rams last Sunday. The only thing the Steelers secondary couldn’t stop was rookie WR Puka Nacua, but nobody has solved him in 2023. Pittsburgh was a bit undisciplined (eight flags for 76 yards) but it didn’t hurt them in end. The Kenny Pickett to George Pickens connection is a match made in heaven, and having WR Diontae Johnson back and healthy always helps. True to their recent calling card, despite trailing 9-3 at halftime and 17-10 in the third quarter, the Steelers made all the third down stops necessary to give their offence the chances it needed to right the ship.

TE Pat Freiermuth (hamstring) is on IR.

Who Will Win Jaguars vs. Steelers?

JAGUARS

Away

21

STEELERS

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