Cincinnati Bengals-Jacksonville Jaguars Odds and Picks Against the Spread

CINCINNATI BENGALS AT JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (-5.5, O/U 39.5), SUN., 1 P.M. ET

Jacksonville has defied the NFL model by getting off to a winning start despite sub-par QB play. Also, by loading up victories away from home. The Jaguars have played only twice in north Florida this season, losing both, and are 1-9 straight-up in town going back to late 2015.

A significant trade by the Jaguars came at an inopportune time for Cincinnati, which will struggle to get its rushing attack out of first gear.

LINE MOVEMENTS, TRENDS

Jacksonville is sweeping the public off its feet. The line has rocketed up from two.

The Bengals have covered in four of five road games dating to late last season but only three times in a dozen games regardless of travel when playing a plus-.500 opponent.

The Jaguars, who fit that category, are 7-3 ATS in the 10 most recent outings.

BREAKDOWN

In one sense, the rich got richer when Buffalo sent top-notch DT Marcell Dareus to Jacksonville, which already boasts the stingiest scoring defense (15.7 ppg). However, the ranking is built primarily on pass prevention. The Jags give up a league-worst 5.16 yards per carry. Dareus could help fix that ignominious rating.

Cincinnati hopes Dareus takes a while to work himself in. The visitors stand 30th on ground yards per game, with just one rushing TD. Its leader, rookie RB Joe Mixon, gains only three yards per clip.

Most teams might prefer to eschew a bye coming off of a shutout, but the week off helped the Jags regain their health. Rookie RB Leonard Fournette (ankle) is back in business after missing a game, as is C Brandon Linder (illness) after sitting out three.

Their return is embraced mostly by QB Blake Bortles, who cannot seem to string together two solid outings in a row. Cincy’s pass defense, fourth in fewest yards permitted, poses a challenge.

PICK

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