Jacksonville Jaguars (8-6) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/24/23 – As NFL season reaches its crescendo in Week 16, we look forward to witnessing an exhilarating matchup between Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. Both teams currently boast 8-6 records while 7-7 for Tampa Bay; this contest could determine their playoff hopes; bettors and fans alike are eagerly seeking for latest free NFL predictions before watching these two titans battle for supremacy on the pitch.
Jacksonville’s offense has been transformed by the dynamic tandem of Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne Jr. Lawrence has shown exceptional passing skills with a 65.9% completion rate and 18 touchdowns; these complement Etienne’s 837 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on his ground game. Christian Kirk also provides key contributions, collecting 57 receptions for 787 receiving yards – adding another vital weapon in Jacksonville’s offensive arsenal.
Tampa Bay’s offensive strength rests with veteran quarterback Baker Mayfield, who has completed 296 passes this season and amassed 3,315.24 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. Mike Evans has been his main target this year and amassed 1077 receiving yards with 11 touchdowns to date. Rachaad White also played an important role this season with 834 rushing yards and five scores under his belt for Tampa Bay.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Game Info
| When: | Sunday, December 24, 2023 at 4:05 PM ET |
| Where: | Raymond James Stadium |
| TV: | CBS |
| Stream: | NFL Game Pass |
Trevor Lawrence QB vs. Baker Mayfield QB
Trevor Lawrence has made good on the promise that made him the top overall pick in 2022, increasing his accuracy, decision-making and poise this season. Lawrence is now completing 66% of his passes with 18 touchdowns against only 10 interceptions – though he does take too many sacks; nevertheless he’s demonstrated the ability to go through progressions and fit balls into tight windows despite throwing two interceptions last week against Tampa’s ball-hawking secondary.
Baker Mayfield remains a streaky, inconsistent quarterback. Acquired midseason after Tom Brady’s retirement, Mayfield has had some stellar games but also ugly outings. At his best, he shows aggressiveness in pushing the ball downfield to playmakers like Mike Evans. Mayfield is also able to improvise and make plays outside the pocket. But he can still be turnover-prone, especially when under duress. And despite his scrambling, Mayfield takes a lot of risky hits. His up and down play makes it hard to trust him, despite working with superior weapons compared to Lawrence. Mayfield’s rhythm and comfort in the offense has improved however.
NFL Odds/Point Spread: Jacksonville Jaguars -137, Total Odds: 43.5
The current betting odds slightly favor the Jacksonville Jaguars, with a spread of -2.5 at -118 and a moneyline of -137. The total for the game is set at 43.5, with the over at -120. These odds reflect the Jaguars’ strong performance on the road and their recent head-to-head success against Tampa Bay.
Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Trends
The Jaguars are just 2-4 against the spread (ATS) over their past six games, failing to cover in five of their previous seven. This indicates they have struggled to meet betting expectations recently after a hot start. However, Jacksonville has performed well on the road, covering the spread in nine of their last 10 away matchups.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Trends
The Buccaneers have covered in six of their previous eight contests, beating expectations despite up and down performances. The over has also hit in four of Tampa Bay’s last five outings. However, the under has hit in four of the Bucs’ past five home games. Tampa Bay has especially struggled against AFC opponents, going 1-8 straight up in their last nine matchups.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 12/24/23 Betting Picks
Considering the analysis and betting trends, this game is shaping up to be a closely contested affair. The Jaguars’ road record and their recent success against Tampa Bay give them a slight edge. However, Tampa Bay’s resilience, especially at home, cannot be underestimated.
In terms of betting, Jacksonville might be the safer pick given their road record and overall performance this season. The over/under is tricky, but given both teams’ offensive capabilities, leaning towards the over might be a wise choice. As always, paid picks and analysis can provide additional insights for those looking for more detailed betting strategies.
Free Pick and Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 24