The Jacksonville Jaguars can clinch their first playoff berth since 2007 with a win against their AFC South division rival Houston, who will likely be starting third-string quarterback T.J. Yates.

Point Spread and Betting Analysis

The Jaguars opened as 12-point chalk on the Sports Interaction NFL odds board but the spread has shrunk by a half point.

Jacksonville hasn’t been a double-digit favorite since the 2007 campaign but they’re a big fave in this game for good reason. The Jags are 9-4 straight up and 8-5 against the spread on the season and 5-2 ATS over their last seven games.

They’re the favourite to win the AFC South division (-294) and the fourth fave to win the AFC at +800. Sports Interaction lists the Jaguars odds to win the Super Bowl at +1800.

The Texans lost outright 26-16 as 1-point home chalk to the San Francisco 49ers last weekend. Houston is 4-9 SU and 7-6 ATS on the year but just 1-6 SU and 3-4 ATS in its last seven games.

Houston Texans

Bill O’Brien’s boys aren’t the same squad without rookie DeShaun Watson under center. The Texans averaged 34.6 points scored per game with Watson at the helm and just 14.9 points in the seven games started by Tom Savage.

Bettors should expect T.J. Yates to start at quarterback this weekend in place of Savage, who’s recovering from a concussion suffered against the Niners. Yates passed for 175 yards and two touchdowns while completing 14 of his 26 attempts in relief of Savage last Sunday.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It might sound odd to say, but the Jacksonville Jaguars are really good. It’s been a long time since anyone said that with a straight face. Jacksonville owns the second-best point differential in the league at +127, they’re fourth in total points scored, third in fewest points allowed and they lead the league in takeaways with 30.

Texans vs Jaguars Prediction