The Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished last season with a dismal 4-13 record, are now set to host a playoff game during the NFL”s Super Wild Card Weekend. This remarkable turnaround is largely credited to first-year head coach Liam Coen, who has guided the team to an impressive 13-4 record. The Jaguars will face the reigning NFL MVP, Josh Allen, and the Buffalo Bills (12-5) on Sunday, January 11, with kickoff scheduled for 1 PM ET at EverBank Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on CBS and stream it via Paramount+
According to the latest betting odds from DraftKings, the Jaguars are favored by 1.5 points at home, while the over/under for total points is set at 51.5, the highest among all games this weekend. The Jaguars are listed as -123 money line favorites (meaning a risk of $123 to win $100), whereas the Bills are +103 underdogs.
Entering this postseason, the Jaguars exceeded expectations, finishing 12-5 against the spread this season, demonstrating their growth as a legitimate playoff contender. Conversely, the Bills have been a dominant force in recent years, with an 8-9 record against the spread while achieving a 12-5 overall mark. Both teams have leaned towards the over this season, with Buffalo posting a 9-8 record and Jacksonville finishing at 10-7.
Looking at the statistics, the Jaguars performed well against playoff teams, securing a 5-3 record, while the Bills managed a 3-3 record against postseason-bound opponents. This matchup features a game script that could see the Jaguars covering as 1.5-point home underdogs in 52% of simulations from the SportsLine Projection Model, which also suggests that Jacksonville has a 52% chance of winning outright in what is effectively a pick “em scenario on the money line.
Interestingly, despite both teams trending toward the over, the model forecasts an inclination towards the under for the total points at 51.5, predicting that this side of the bet hits 53% of the time.
In terms of score predictions, the model suggests a narrow victory for the Jaguars, projecting a final score of Jaguars 26, Bills 25. For more insights and bets for this playoff matchup, fans and bettors can refer to comprehensive coverage of every NFL playoff game, with expert picks generated from simulations of each game.
