Falcons Jaguars Betting – Porous Defense Will Be Jacksonville’s Downfall

Any good online betting player knows that defense is the key to a team’s chances, and if you can’t stop the opposition in the air in today’s NFL, you’re in trouble. Jacksonville had troubles last season with their pass defense and it looks like they haven’t improved, although it is still early. They’ll be taking on Atlanta, who gave away their preseason opener and will be sure not to make the same mistake two weeks in a row.

What: NFL Betting

• When: Friday, August 19th, 8:00 PM ET
• Where: EverBank Field, Jacksonville, FL
• Pick: Atlanta Falcons
• Why Bet On Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons’ first-string offense looked great in a 28-23 loss to Miami at home, as Matt Ryan was 6-of-10 for 90 yards and a touchdown, and he found rookie Julio Jones twice for 43 yards. Jones may have been the star of the game for the Falcons as he showed why they sent five picks to Cleveland for the chance to draft the former Alabama star who wooed scouts at the combine. He has game-breaking speed, but Jones is also physical and the Falcons would do well to get him the ball as much as possible, which is going to open up things for Roddy White, Tony Gonzalez and Michael Turner. Defensively, the Falcons picked off Miami quarterbacks Chad Henne and Matt Moore three times, which is encouraging, and linebacker Curtis Lofton looks to be back at 100% after double-knee surgery.

Pivot John Parker Wilson was 12-of-19 for 111 yards and a pick before leaving the game with a concussion, which could open the door for Adam Froman, who was 6-of-13 for 45 yards and an interception. Also, the second and third-string players are all playing for their jobs after losing a 17-0 lead that the first team gave them, so you should see more intensity out of them in this game.

Why Bet On Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars were blasted 47-12 in New England in their opener, but it wasn’t all negative. Rookie Blaine Gabbert got some important reps and went 9-of-16 for 85 yards in his first taste of NFL action, and while he definitely won’t be taking the reins over from David Garrard, it was a solid debut for Gabbert, who was unlucky that his receivers dropped a few balls. The Jaguars managed to average 4.3 yards a carry on the ground, and they will be hoping that someone can step up and take some of the pressure off Maurice Jones-Drew, who is just now practicing because of an ailing knee. Garrard sat out the New England game because of back issues, and he should make his debut in this game so we’ll get a clearer picture of what Jacksonville’s passing offense should be like. Linebacker Kyle Bosworth seemed to be everywhere with eight tackles, but he was the only defensive player who could walk away with a passing grade.

Defense is where the Jaguars have to step up if they want to improve their NFL betting odds, as they allowed Ryan Mallett and Brian Hoyer to throw for 335 yards and two touchdowns. Granted, there were a lot of younger players in the lineup, and this meeting with the Falcons may prove to be a bigger test for Jacksonville, especially through the air. The Jaguars were28th in the league on that side of the ball last year, so coach Jack Del Rio will be looking for a more intense effort on defense from his team.

How It Will Play Out

The Jaguars come into this NFL betting matchup as 3-point favorites at home, and in four regular-season meetings with Atlanta, Jacksonville is 3-1 SU and 1-3 ATS. The intensity will ramp up a bit for both teams as they’re coming off a loss and the competition for places on the team is getting hotter. The Falcons are a better team, top to bottom, than the Jaguars and the defense won’t want to lose a lead like last week. 

Look for Gabbert to cement his spot as Garrard’s backup, but the Jaguars’ defense aren’t going to make a big leap in one week and the Falcons will take advantage of them through the air. Chris Redman will get more reps in Wilson’s absence, but the quarterback doesn’t matter for Atlanta: Jacksonville’s defense is that bad. Take Atlanta on the road in your sports betting book.

Falcons Jaguars Betting Pick – Atlanta Falcons