The Jacksonville Jaguars will host their first playoff game in five years when they play the Los Angeles Chargers in the wild-card round at TIAA Field on Saturday night.
Jacksonville is one of the AFC’s hottest teams, with five straight wins and seven in its past nine games. The Jaguars, who defeated the Chargers 38-10 at SoFi Stadium in Week 3, sewed up their first division title since 2017 with a 20-16 win over the Tennessee Titans on Saturday night.
Los Angeles is back in the postseason for the first time since 2018. The Chargers overcame a rash of injuries to win five of their final seven games, finishing 10-7 and clinching the AFC’s top wild-card spot.
Let’s dig into our Los Angeles vs Jacksonville best bets for this opening-round matchup.
Chargers vs Jaguars Odds
Despite the fact they already lost to Jacksonville and will be playing on the road, the Chargers are a one-point favorite as of Monday afternoon at BetMGM Sportsbook.
Jacksonville was an even-money moneyline underdog, meaning a $100 wager would pay out $100 in profit. The Chargers are a -115 favorite, meaning it would take a $115 wager to win $100 or $0.87 per $1 wagered.
Take a look at the best Chargers odds and Jaguars odds for the 2022 NFL season.
Chargers vs Jaguars Implied Totals
Chargers 24.25, Jaguars 22.75
The Chargers averaged about 23 points per game this season, the 13th-best mark in football. Jacksonville put up about 24 per game and gave up only 20.6 points per game this season.
Chargers vs Jaguars Pick of the Day
Read more on this Chargers vs Jaguars bet below.
Chargers vs Jaguars Prediction
Chargers 24, Jaguars 14
Every year there is a trendy Super Bowl pick that underperforms, and the Chargers spent much of the regular season looking like this year’s. But LA will enter the postseason with a favorable matchup, even though it must travel across the country, and they look extremely dangerous.
There is cause for concern, notably the injuries to wide receiver Mike Williams and Joey Bosa sustained in LA’s meaningless season finale against Denver.
More Chargers vs Jaguars Wild Card betting plays
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But Williams has been banged up all season, and assuming he plays, LA quarterback Justin Herbert should have a full complement of weapons with Austin Ekeler, Keenan Allen and emerging slot receiver Josh Palmer, who led all Chargers receivers in catches (68).
The Jaguars are one of the feel-good stories of the AFC, particularly under first-year coach Doug Pederson. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence set a new franchise record for single-season completion percentage (66.3) and had a superb season, tossing 25 touchdowns and just eight interceptions.
The Jaguars defense is the real deal, allowing just 20 points per game, but Jacksonville did allow the fourth-most passing yards in football (4,055). This plays into the pass-heavy Chargers game plan as Ekeler, their primary running back, led the team with 103 catches and five receiving TDs.
Chargers vs Jaguars Bet Tips
Here are a few Chargers vs Jaguars betting trends to consider before making your bets:
- The Under has hit in five of LA’s past six games and three of their past five road games.
- Jacksonville has won four straight home games and averaged 28.75 points per game in that span.
- The Jaguars have allowed just 22 points over their past three games.
Chargers vs Jaguars Best Bets
Chargers -1 (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
I know Jacksonville rolled LA at SoFi, which should speak for something. But Herbert was banged up, Bosa didn’t play the second half after sustaining a torn groin, and Williams didn’t play either.
With the Chargers expected to have their full complement of weapons, they’ll be playing with house money. Lawrence and the Jags have been a nice story, and they should learn from this experience and be back in the future.
Want to bet on the Chargers? Check out the best U.S. sportsbooks.
Under 47 Points (-110) at BetMGM Sportsbook
WAGER: 1 Unit
So much will be made of the young quarterback duel, but the real story will be the defenses. Jacksonville’s defense has come up huge over its five-game win streak, giving up just 15.6 points per game.
I’m expecting the Jaguars offense to have trouble moving the ball since Bosa, if healthy, is a game wrecker and is flanked by veteran Khalil Mack, who can upset a game too. The Jaguars allowed the fifth-fewest sacks in football (28), while LA allowed the seventh-fewest passing yards (3,406) and the fourth-most rushing yards.
If Jacksonville gets ahead early, Travis Etienne could have a huge day, but that would still lend itself to the Under since a run-heavy script moves the clock and shortens the game. I tend to think the Chargers will build an early advantage to take the crowd out of the game and force Lawrence to beat them.
This number is high given the likelihood of good weather in northern Florida too. Young quarterbacks, even of Herbert and Lawrence’s experience and skillsets, tend to struggle in their first NFL playoff games.
Look for some misses and mistakes that keep the score down.
Soon you will be able to bet on the Jaguars with these Florida sportsbooks.
