NFL football betting – Steelers vs Jaguars odds
Posted on 10/2/2008 1:30:44 PM
By Stan Simmons
Steelers vs Jaguars odds: two injury-riddled teams brace for impending physical battle
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WHO: Pittsburgh Steelers (+4.5) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (-4.5)
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WHAT: NFL football betting
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WHEN: Sunday, October 5 at 8:15 p.m. ET
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WHERE: ALLTEL Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida
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KEY STATS: Steelers are 24-15 in last 39 games as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points; Jaguars are 9-1 against the spread in the last 10 meetings
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PICK: Jaguars -4.5
If you’re examining the Steelers vs Jaguars lines and you’re wondering why the Jacksonville Jaguars are more than a field goal favorite over the team perceived to be the best in the AFC, remember the online sportsbook odds are justified: the Steelers have a ton of injuries.
Not only are the Steelers on a short week of preparation after playing an extremely physical contest on Monday Night Football against the Baltimore Ravens, they will be very shorthanded for this meeting where they are the underdog.
On defense, the Steelers will be without nose tackle Casey Hampton and defensive end Brett Keisel, which is two-thirds of their starting defensive line. On offense, running back Willie Parker will be out and in the contest against the Ravens. The Steelers also lost backup running back Rashard Mendenhall for the season along with starting right guard Kendall Simmons.
Protecting the quarterback has been a problem all year long for the Steelers, who lost Pro Bowl guard Alan Faneca to free agency in the offseason. They’ve allowed the most sacks in the AFC, giving up 16 in four games.
But those following Steelers vs Jaguars betting know the Jaguars have had trouble pressuring the quarterback all season long and have apparently deteriorated into being just an ordinary defensive team.
Even though the Jags used their first two picks of the 2008 NFL Draft on defensive ends Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves, the Jags have generated only five sacks in four games. Both rookies pitched a shutout last week and didn’t even register any type of stat in the box score, but odds are they’ll improve as the season progresses.
STAN’S PICK: Steelers vs Jaguars odds are -4.5 points in Jacksonville’s favor, despite the last two games between these two being settled by just five total points. The bottom line is the Steelers are battered and bruised right now.
After a physical tilt on Monday night, they have to travel across the country to play in the Florida heat. Look for the Jags to get above .500 for the first time this season with a win and bet the Jaguars to cover.
Visit the BetOnline.com Sportsbook for all your NFL betting, odds and lines.
Stan
Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people
devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors
and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts
or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
NFL BETTING RECAP: Jaguars dominate this series; Steelers have plenty of injuries
Steelers vs Jaguars odds: Jaguars -4.5
