Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction: Can Trevor Lawrence, Jags Get Back on Track Today?
The Jacksonville Jaguars will look to overcome three straight losses with a win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday afternoon. Can Trevor Lawrence and the Jags stop the skid on Christmas Eve in Tampa? Ben Rajavuori provides his best bet in Jaguars vs. Buccaneers.
Ben Rajavuori - December 24, 2023, 12:15 PM EST
5 minJacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction: Can Trevor Lawrence, Jags Get Back on Track Today?
The Jacksonville Jaguars head across Florida today to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Jaguars are barely hanging on in first place in the AFC South, with both the Colts and Texans tied with the Jags at 8-6 now. The Jaguars have lost three games in a row now and are in desperate need of a win to keep their division-winning hopes alive. The Bucs, meanwhile, are in a similar boat, because if they lose today, and the Falcons win (they are favored to beat the Colts), all three will be tied at 7-8 in the NFC South. These two teams are both in divisions that may come down to Week 18, and both desperately need the win to stay on top of their divisions. Can the Jags bounce back? Or will the Bucs stay hot?
Jaguars vs. Buccaneers Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: December 24, 2023
- Game Time: 4:05 pm ET
- Where to Watch: CBS
Jaguars vs. Buccaneers Odds
- Spread: Jaguars -1 (-110), Buccaneers +1 (-110)
- Total Odds: O/U 43.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Jaguars (-115), Buccaneers (-105)
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Prediction
The Jaguars have had a tumultuous stretch of football down the latter half of the season. Trevor Lawrence has been pretty banged up, as he is questionable with both a concussion and an ankle injury. His ankle has been bothering him for weeks now, as C.J. Beathard has had to take some action, coming in against the Bengals a few weeks ago, which started the Jaguars' three-game losing streak. However, Lawrence cleared concussion protocol, so it comes down to his ankle for this game, which he has been nursing for some weeks, so the expectation is that it is healthier than last week and he will be good to go for this game.
That is big for a Jaguars team that needs Lawrence under center. We saw what the Jaguars are capable of, as they were 8-4 before Lawrence went down with the injury. Christian Kirk is still on the IR, but Calvin Ridley and Evan Engram are good enough to give Lawrence some strong weapons to utilize in today's game.
On the other side, the Bucs have been red-hot, riding a three-game win streak against the Panthers, Falcons, and Packers. Just today, the Bucs announced they will be sticking with Baker Mayfield for the 2024 season, which is excellent news for him and the team after the career he has had so far. However, they have gotten blessed a bit by playing some under or at .500 teams, and the Jags are the best team they have played since the 27-14 loss to the 49ers.
While Baker has been playing well, I have to go back to the Jaguars in this game. I haven't even been very high on this team in 2023, but I do think they are better than they have played the last three games, as they have been riddled with injuries to their receivers on top of Lawrence playing through multiple sprains. He is going to be in tonight and will probably be able to put a lot more weight on that ankle and look near 100%, and he has adjusted to life without Kirk. Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have been playing well, but let's not forget that this is still Baker Mayfield, and looking at their wins this season, they have all come to worse teams than the Jags. They have failed to beat every "good" team they play. I'm going against the current form both teams are in over their last three games, and expecting the Jags to get back on track today, and for the Bucs to come back down to earth.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Pick
Pick: Jacksonville Jaguars -1 (-105) Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
Win a $50 Gift Card on NFL Sunday Football
Think you know what's going to happen in various games on NFL Sunday this week? Answer the pick questions below for your chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
NFL Odds
