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Rookie QB Drake Maye might not win many games for the Patriots in the short-run, but is adept at making something happen, which we saw last week against the Texans in a game that ended with a scoreline on a hefty 62 points. Meanwhile, the Jags have had a week in London to stew about last Sunday's 35-10 loss at Tottenham. Moving across town to Wembley, perhaps Jacksonville has better luck. The Jags are just two weeks removed from scoring 37 points vs. Indy, when Trevor Lawrence passed for 371 yards, and Tank Bigsby ran for 101. We're not sure owner Shad Khan allows the Jags to get on the return flight at Heathrow without a serious scoring upgrade from last week. Play Patriots-Jags "Over"
The rookie QB had a predictably uneven but mostly successful NFL debut, throwing for 243 yards and 2 TDs with 3 INTs against the Texans. He should clip this number in what rates to be a favorable game script and leaky Jacksonville defense that allowed Bears rookie Caleb Williams to throw for 226 yards ad 4 TDs last week.
Patriots rookie QB Drake Maye gave a spark of hope to the franchise in his debut. Although it was in a losing effort, Maye threw for 243 yards and showed absolutely no fear in the pocket. He stepped up in the face of pressure, and was quick back to his feet after taking a hit. These intangibles make me feel confident in betting on Maye to surpass his passing yards total this week, against a Jaguars defense that ranks dead last in defensive DVOA. Jacksonville's secondary has been abysmal, and Maye should have no reluctance to sling the rock. I expect him to clear 200 yards against the Jags, and would consider laddering this up to 275+ yards at +800!
We know that we want to target the Jaguars defense in the passing game. The Jaguars have given up the second most yards to quarterbacks (1660) and allow the fourth best completion percentage to quarterbacks (70.8%). Drake Maye's first performance was a mixed bag as he threw for 243 yards, three touchdowns, and two interceptions. He did this against a much tougher Texans defense, so I like him to soar past his line this week in London.
The Pats offense with Drake Maye under center looks significantly more functional and explosive. This is a great matchup for Demario Douglas who has displayed impressive chemistry with Maye after the pairs first game where Douglas corralled 6/9 targets which he turned into 92 yards and 1 TD. Douglas operates almost exclusively out of the slot which is notable as Maye has a penchant for heavily targeting his slot WRs dating back to when Maye was at UNC. Jacksonville is a major pass funnel and has been extremely generous to WRs. They're also capable of pushing NE into a pass heavy game script.
This London game is on track to be affected by the weather, with rain expected throughout and 20 mph winds potentially making things more unpredictable (the stadium is partially covered but the field is exposed). That could affect scoring in a game that would otherwise likely be a point-fest with two bad defenses squaring off with passing games with upside. The instillation of Drake Maye as starter pulls the Pats out of the basement, and the Jaguars should not be laying six to even basement-level teams on a neutral field with speculation Doug Pederson could be on the way out. If this was in Jacksonville, the line would be north of 7 and everyone would know to hammer the Pats. Do it here at +6.
The games in London tend to stink. Last week went over because of the Bears ascendant offense; neither of these teams can score. Both stink. Drake Maye in a weird spot for his second start. Jags have scored just 17.8 PPG over their last 10 games dating back to last season. Jags are under in 6 of their last 7 games in London. Trevor Lawrence is pretty broken and his receivers drop a lot of passes and Doug Pederson is gonna get whacked when they get back to the states. I don't see much changing in this game. Pats road games avg 36.45 points since the start of last season.