Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets Picks and Predictions December 15th 2024

Jacksonville Jaguars vs New York Jets December 15th 2024

FOX will broadcast this week 15 AFC matchup between the Jets and Jaguars, set to kick off at 1:00 ET. The Jets are favored on the road with a money line of -182, and their point spread is -3.5. The Jaguars are the +152 money line underdogs, and the over/under line is at 40.5 points.

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New York vs. Jacksonville Key Information

• Teams: Jets at Jaguars
• Where: EverBank Stadium Jacksonville
• Date: Sunday, December 15th
• Betting Odds NYJ -182 | JAX +152 O/U 40.5

The Jets Can Win If…

Heading into week 15, the Jets are on a four-game losing streak, dropping their record to 3-10. This includes a 32-26 loss to the Dolphins in week 14, where they managed to cover the 6.5-point spread. The O/U line was 45.5, and the teams combined for 58 points, marking the third straight game the Jets have hit the over.

With a -3.8 scoring margin, the Jets are 4-9 against the spread this season. They rank 20th in our NFL power rankings and have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs. In the AFC East, they are 1-3 and sit in 3rd place.

Heading into week 15, the Jets sit 20th in our offensive power rankings. They are 23rd in the NFL in points per game (19.3) and 27th in yards per game (299.8). New York ranks 6th in passing attempts, with 35.8 per game, and 19th in passing yards, averaging 212.8. On the ground, they are 30th in rushing attempts and 31st in rushing yards per game, with 87. The Jets are 12th in the league in 3rd-down conversion percentage (39.2%) and 15th in red zone conversion percentage.

Aaron Rodgers threw for 339 yards (27/39) and a touchdown in week 14, posting a passer rating of 104. Garrett Wilson led the team with 7 catches for 114 yards, while Braelon Allen had 43 rushing yards on 11 carries. Before Wilson’s 114-yard performance, Davante Adams had 66 yards in week 13, and 72 yards in week 12. Breece Hall is questionable for week 15 with a knee injury.

In their 32-26 overtime loss to the Dolphins, the Jets’ defense struggled to generate pressure, as they failed to record a sack. The Jets allowed Miami to convert 11.1% of their third downs and gave up 375 total yards. New York’s run defense was a bright spot, allowing just 44 yards on 19 attempts (2.3 yards per attempt), but they struggled against the pass, giving up 331 yards through the air. Opposing quarterbacks completed 70.2% of their passes against the Jets in this game.

The Jets also allowed 2 passing touchdowns and finished with a tackles for loss differential of -1. Despite their struggles in the passing game, New York’s defense will look to build on their run defense performance in upcoming games.

• The Jets have gone 0-3 over their last three regular season games. The team’s record vs the spread was just 1-2, in addition to an over-under mark of 3-0.
• New York has put together a record of 1-9 in their last ten games (regular season). Their record vs the spread sits at 2-8 in these matchups, while posting a 6-4 over-under mark.

The Jaguars Can Win If…

With a 3-10 record, the Jaguars are 3rd in the AFC South and rank 28th in our NFL power rankings. Jacksonville has a -8.2 scoring margin this season, but they are 7-5-1 against the spread, including a 6-2-1 record as underdogs. Their O/U record is 7-6, with the under hitting in two straight games.

In week 14, the Jaguars snapped a five-game losing streak with a 10-6 win over the Titans. They were 3-point underdogs and covered the spread, but the 16 combined points fell short of the 40.5-point line.

Jacksonville’s offense ranks 24th in our power rankings, averaging 18.3 points per game, which is also 24th in the NFL. They are 28th in the league in yards per game, with 297.2, and 23rd in passing yards, averaging 198.2 per game. On the ground, they rank 26th in rushing yards per game, with 98.9, on 22.8 attempts per game. Jacksonville is 28th in the NFL in 3rd-down conversions, with a 33.3% success rate, but they are 13th in red zone conversion percentage.

In week 14, Jacksonville scored 10 4th-quarter points in their win over the Titans. Mac Jones threw for 220 yards (23/31) but had 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. Tank Bigsby led the team with 55 rushing yards on 18 carries, while Brian Thomas Jr. had 8 receptions for 86 yards.

In their 10-6 win over the Titans, the Jaguars’ defense allowed just 146 passing yards on 19 completions. They held Tennessee to 59.4% completions and kept them out of the endzone, not allowing any passing touchdowns. The Jaguars’ defense did struggle a bit against the run, allowing 126 yards on 28 attempts, with Derrick Henry accounting for 44 of those yards on one run.

Jacksonville’s defense also forced the Titans to convert on just 2 of 6 third down attempts and came away with two sacks. Even though they allowed 272 yards of total offense, their performance in the passing game was a big reason they were able to come out on top.

• Jacksonville has put together a record of 0-3 in their last three games (regular season). This also includes going 2-0-1 ATS, and posting an over-under record of 1-2.
• Over their last ten regular season games, the Jaguars have gone 4-6 straight up. Against the spread, Jacksonville went 5-4-1 in these games and finished with an over-under mark of 5-5.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Jaguars to cover as home underdogs in their matchup vs. the Jets. Currently, the point spread lines have the Jaguars at +3.5, and we have them winning 22-18.

For this week 15 matchup, we also like the under, with a projected combined score of 40 points, just above the current O/U line of 40.5.

Weekly Football Picks from The Best NFL Expert Handicappers

Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. Poised to Break Rookie Records Against Jets

As the Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Jets face off this Sunday in Jacksonville, Fla., neither team is headed for the playoffs, but the game offers intriguing individual narratives. With both squads sitting at 3-10, this clash highlights rising stars and veteran performances amid challenging seasons.

Brian Thomas Jr.: Chasing History

For Jacksonville wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., this matchup is more than just another game. The rookie is closing in on franchise records for receptions and receiving yards, set by Justin Blackmon in 2012 (64 catches for 865 yards). Thomas has already amassed 54 catches for 851 yards and six touchdowns this season, making him a cornerstone of the Jaguars’ future.

Last week’s 10-6 victory over Tennessee saw Thomas haul in eight receptions for 86 yards, showcasing his consistency and resilience. Despite a midseason chest injury, Thomas has not missed a game, a testament to his toughness and work ethic.

“I really want to set it,” Thomas said. “I really want to get it. That’s a big thing for me.”

His quarterback, Mac Jones, echoes that sentiment. “He’s a great player. He brings electrifying playmaking ability, and he’s all ball. He works hard and plays smart,” Jones said. Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson also praised Thomas, noting the team targeted him 10 times in the second half last week.

A Key Matchup: Thomas vs. Sauce Gardner

One of the most compelling storylines in this game is the potential duel between Brian Thomas Jr. and Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner. Gardner, one of the NFL’s premier young defensive talents, will likely face the challenge of containing Thomas, who has proven to be a dynamic weapon.

“B.T. is definitely getting extra attention, whether that’s double-teams or coverage rolls,” Jones noted. “That respect shows what kind of player he’s becoming.”

This one-on-one matchup could be a pivotal factor in the game and a highlight for fans, showcasing the league’s future stars.

Aaron Rodgers: Battling Through a Tough Season

For the Jets, veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers continues to navigate one of the most frustrating seasons of his storied career. His 88.9 quarterback rating is the lowest over a full season, and the team has lost nine of its last 10 games, including a 32-26 overtime defeat in Miami last week.

Despite the struggles, Rodgers has shown flashes of brilliance. He completed 27 of 39 passes for 339 yards and a touchdown in Miami, bringing his season totals to 2,966 yards, 20 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

“Aaron is still Aaron,” Pederson said. “He can be highly efficient and throw accurate footballs with a quick release.”

However, Rodgers’ efforts have not been enough to overcome the Jets’ shortcomings. The team is 2-7 in one-score games this season, highlighting their inability to close out tight contests.

Injury Woes Add to the Challenge

Both teams enter this game dealing with significant injuries.

For the Jets, leading rusher Breece Hall is unlikely to play for the second consecutive week due to a knee issue. Hall, who has 1,093 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns this season, has been a critical piece of the offense. Other Jets players listed on the injury report include running back Kene Nwangwu (hand), linebacker Haason Reddick (illness), and guard Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle).

Interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich acknowledged the team’s struggles with injuries, saying, “He’s [Hall] been playing with a little bit of pain, and it’s just not improving as quickly as we’d hoped.”

The Jaguars are not without their concerns, as tight end Evan Engram missed practice with a shoulder injury. Engram has been a reliable target for Jones, and his absence could limit Jacksonville’s offensive versatility.

Team Trajectories: Fighting for Pride

While both teams have been eliminated from playoff contention, there’s still much at stake in terms of pride and momentum. The Jaguars are looking to build around young talents like Thomas and Jones, while the Jets need to find answers for their disappointing season, which began with high expectations but unraveled due to injuries and inconsistent play.

The Jets’ inability to execute in critical moments has been their Achilles’ heel. They’ve lost their last three games by a combined 12 points, emphasizing how close they’ve come to flipping their season narrative.

Why This Game Matters

Though the Jaguars and Jets won’t be playing in January, individual performances keep this game intriguing. For Jaguars fans, Brian Thomas Jr.’s pursuit of rookie records is a beacon of hope for the franchise’s future. For Jets supporters, Aaron Rodgers’ fight to regain form offers a reminder of his enduring capabilities, even in a tough season.

Predictions and Final Thoughts

This game may not headline the NFL slate, but it promises moments of excitement. Whether it’s Thomas breaking records, Rodgers delivering a vintage performance, or the Thomas-Gardner matchup providing fireworks, there’s plenty to watch. As both teams look to end their seasons on a positive note, the clash could be a turning point for players seeking to cement their legacies.