Week 17 in the National Football League sees an intriguing inter-conference matchup with the Carolina Panthers (2-13) taking on the slumping Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
This game offers a wide variety of value-added plays across the board for prospective bettors and football fans alike.
Let’s take a deep dive and examine some odds, predictions, best bets, prop bets, and offer up a same-game parlay between the Panthers and Jaguars as the Week 17 NFL slate takes center stage.
Panthers vs Jaguars Odds
NFL odds used for this Carolina vs Jacksonville preview were found at DraftKings Sportsbook and are current as of Tuesday, Dec. 26, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
- Moneyline: Jaguars (-305) • Panthers (+245)
- Spread: Jaguars -7 (-108) • Panthers +7 (-112)
- Total Points: Over 38 (-110) • Under 38 (-110)
- Implied Score: Jaguars 22.5, Panthers 15.5
Panthers vs Jaguars Predictions
Score Pick: Jaguars 24, Panthers 13
With their playoff hopes hanging in the balance, the Jaguars enter this matchup as seven-point home favorites, facing off against a Panthers team that owns the single-worst record in football.
The game total for this one currently sits at 38, meaning professional oddsmakers and sportsbooks are predicting a fairly low-eventful and low-scoring encounter.
On the heels of four-consecutive losses at a critical juncture of the season, a matchup against the lowly Panthers could be just what the doctor ordered for Doug Pederson’s team to get back in the win column and solidify themselves (with some help) atop the AFC South Division, with the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans also sitting with identical 8-7 overall records.
Simply put, this is a must-win game for the Jaguars. Look for Trevor Lawrence and co. to take care of business against a far inferior opponent in this one.
Panthers vs Jaguars Best Bets & Props
Jaguars -7 (-108)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Our first best bet will target the Jaguars against the spread on a single-unit wager.
Much of Carolina’s poor play in 2023 can be attributed to its out-of-sync offense, inability to sustain drives, and inability to put points on the board with any regularity.
As a team, the Panthers rank 30th in the NFL in Yards Per Game (279.1), 23rd in First Downs Per Game (18.6), and 29th in Points Per Game (15.7), per NFL Team Rankings.
To add insult to injury, the Panthers have yet to win a game away from home at 0-8, and there’s no real concrete evidence to suggest this changes on Sunday.
A couple of quick offensive scores could see this one get out of reach in a hurry for the Panthers. Take the Jags to cover at an intriguing (-108) price point as my NFL bet of the day.
Under 38 (-110)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Our second best bet will pinpoint the Under on the game total of 38.
After being selected first-overall by the Panthers at the 2023 NFL Draft, quarterback Bryce Young has had a challenging rookie season.
Of the list of 40 starting quarterbacks with a minimum of 128 passing attempts, the former Alabama gunslinger ranks 38th in Expected Completion Percentage (60.2%) 34th in Passer Rating (75), and 28th in Completion Percentage Above Expected (-0.8%), per NFL Next Gen Stats.
On the Jaguars sideline, Lawrence has left a lot to be desired this season ranking 14th in football in Average Completed Air Yards (5.9) and 24th in Aggressiveness Percentage (14.6%).
When you consider both teams’ inconsistencies, combined with their conservative offensive approaches, it seems unlikely this game exceeds 38 points. Take the Under at (-110) odds.
Panthers Under 13.5 (+114)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
Our third and final best bet will target an alternative wager on the Under on Carolina’s team total in points, currently sitting at 13.5.
As previously mentioned, the Panthers have mightily struggled on the offensive side of the ball this year ranking 29th in the NFL in Net Passing Yards Per Game (173.7) and 19th in Net Rushing Yards Per Game (105.4), via The Football Database. This has hindered their ability to generate offense, get in the red zone, and finish drives.
For all their poor play resulting in an abysmal four game skid, the Jaguars have been fairly efficient on defense throughout the season, specifically against the rush ranking 11th in the NFL in Rushing Yards Conceded Per Game (101.3).
To add insult to injury, Carolina has failed to exceed 13.5 points in six of its past eight games, and rank 29th in Total Touchdowns with just 23 on the season.
This seems like an absolute gift, especially at plus-money (+114). Take the Under on the Panthers team total.
Panthers vs Jaguars Same Game Parlay
Panthers vs Jaguars SGP (+112)
DraftKings Sportsbook • WAGER: 1 Unit
- Jaguars 1H Over 10.5 (-108)
- Jaguars (-305)
Our same-game parlay will target the Jaguars’ first-half team total of 10.5 points, combined with them winning outright. Let’s begin with Jacksonville’s first-half team total.
The first 15 games of the 2023 NFL campaign have seen the Jags play fast and keep the tempo high, ranking sixth in football in Plays Per Game (65.7) and 11th in First Downs Per Game (20), via NFL Team Rankings.
That should cause problems for a weak Carolina defense corps all game long.
I like the favorable number you’re getting here. As heavy moneyline favorites, it’s likely the Jags keep the ball, control the game, and will look to put this one to bed sooner rather than later.
Take Jacksonville to score at least 11 points in the first half in front of its home crowd.
Rounding out our same-game parlay is the Jaguars on the moneyline.
As anticipated the Jags enter this game as heavy home favorites (-305), which carries with it a whopping 75.31% implied win probability.
In addition, after losing four-straight contests, this is the picture-perfect get-right game for the Jaguars.
Combine the two plays at (+112) odds.
