Panthers vs. Jaguars Point Spread: NFL Week 17 Odds, Prediction
The Panthers sit at the bottom of the NFL league standings with a 2-13 record, but have paid out with increasingly regularity during a 5-4 against the spread run. With Trevor Lawrence hampered by injuries, the Jaguars have lost four straight, but still maintain the top of the AFC South standings by virtue of tiebreakers.
The Jaguars have managed to score just 19 total points over the past two weeks, but lead the way as lofty 6.5-point home favourites on the NFL Week 17 odds. The Panthers are listed as +230 underdogs on the NFL moneyline as they seek their second win in three games, and their first road victory of the season. The total is pegged at 38.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Panthers are coming off their highest scoring performance of the season in last week’s 33-30 loss to Green Bay. However, it has been defence that has made the difference. Carolina has limited opponents to 21.2 points per game over their past five. Success on the road has remained elusive, with five of the Panthers’ eight losses this season coming by double-digit margins. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young has failed to throw a scoring pass in four straight road games, and the Panthers scoring fewer than 12 points per game in those contests.
The Jaguars are staring the face of meltdown that could possibly bounce them from the top of the AFC South standings, and possibly the NFL playoff race. The slide coincides with a rash of injuries that have impacted Trevor Lawrence in recent weeks including an ankle injury, concussion, and now a shoulder injury that leaves him questionable for Sunday. The Jags are winless ATS during their current slide, and have also given up lots of points, with opponents averaging 29 points over the past four games.
Carolina Panthers
Bryce Young threw for multiple scores for the first time in his short NFL career in last weekend’s narrow loss to the Packers, leading the Panthers on an impressive second-half comeback that was dashed by a Green Bay walk-off field goal. After failing to toss a scoring pass in each of his previous four games, Young found DJ Chark Jr. in the end zone twice in the fourth quarter of last weekend’s loss to the Pack. Adam Thielen also enjoyed his best outing since mid-October, compiling 94 receiving yards but has failed to make a scoring catch in nine games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
If Trevor Lawrence is unavailable for Sunday after missing practice this week, the Jags will turn to CJ Beathard under centre in what has evolved into their biggest game of the season. Beathard was respectable in relief of the injured Lawrence last weekend, going 11-for-15 for 94 yards and his first touchdown pass since 2020. Calvin Ridley made both scoring catches in last week’s loss, ending a three-game drought. However, this time will likely need more from their ground game, including Travis Etienne Jr., who ran for just 12 yards on six carries last weekend, and scored just once in four home games.