The New England Patriots are gunning for their eighth Super Bowl appearance with a win in the AFC Championship Game being all that is necessary. The upstart Jacksonville Jaguars have been the biggest surprise with NFL games odds for the 2017 season and are just one win away from their first ever Super Bowl appearance. The proven Patriots host the improbable Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday in a game that can be seen on CBS.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New England Patriots
Date and Time: Sunday, January 21, 2018, 3:05 pm Eastern
Location: Gillette Stadium, Foxboro, Massachusetts
NFL Betting Lines at SBG Global: Patriots -9, O/U 46.5
Jaguars vs. Patriots TV Coverage: CBS
There is no better-known commodity with the NFL line bet than the New England Patriots. In addition to the eight Super Bowl appearances the Pats have six Super Bowl championships. They have been repeat champions only once, however, in 2003-04, but they are set up for a repeat again this year. The Pats went 13-3 straight up and 11-5 against the spread. New England is coming off a 35-14 home payout over the Tennessee Titans last week. We already know all the superlatives and angles of this most public of teams. The big question is if the public will drive down the Patriots betting value.
There could not be a more opposite team to the Patriots than the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags entered this season coming off nine consecutive seasons in which they failed to post a winning record. A closer look reveals the success of the Jaguars is no fluke. Jacksonville ranked fifth in the NFL for scoring offense and second for scoring defense. With Quarterback Blake Bortles and running back Leonard Fournette the Jags bring a balanced offense that will keep a defense honest. The Jags beat the Buffalo Bills at home in the Wild Card game 10-3. Last week at Pittsburgh in the Divisional playoff round the Jags posted a stunning 45-42 win. Jacksonville was 10-6 straight up and 9-7 against the spread on the season.
Matchup to Watch
This is the ultimate matchup of the proven commodity against the surprise new product with the NFL games odds. There will doubtlessly be a lot of public money on the Patriots, who have seemed to have no line that they could not cover. It will take a lot of nerve to take the Jaguars, even with the extra value that the betting public will provide. The Patriots have covered four out of their last five home games against the Jaguars. Three out of the last four meetings in this head to head series have gone under the total. The Patriots have also paid out in their last five consecutive home playoff games. New England has gone over the total in six out of their last seven home playoff games.
Jaguars vs. Patriots Prediction
The history, reputation and numbers are with the Patriots. Not to mention the betting public. The defense, however, is with the Jaguars, as they boast the second-ranked defense in the NFL. Jacksonville is the surprise value pick in what should be a tight defensive game.
NFL Games Odds Betting Pick: Jaguars +9 and Under 46.5
NFL Games Odds Score Prediction: Jaguars 23 Patriots 21