The Carolina Panthers and the Jacksonville Jaguars meet Sunday in NFL action from TIAA Bank Field. Carolina has lost seven of their last eight games and dropped to 2-13 overall with a loss to the Packers last Sunday. As for the Jaguars, they’ve lost four straight. Jacksonville is now 8-7 on the year following a loss to the Buccaneers. Let’s get into our Panthers vs. Jaguars prediction. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place.
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers haven’t had a lot to celebrate this year. Carolina lost six straight before their first win over the Texans, then lost another six straight before taking out the Falcons. Part of the issue winning stems from the Panthers’ rough 15.7 points per game scoring average. Carolina is giving up 25.4 points per game on the other side, which makes it tough to win games.
In their latest matchup versus the Packers, the Panthers at least scored well. Carolina was down 24-16 going into the final quarter and couldn’t bridge the gap in a 33-30 defeat. QB Bryce Young finished with 312 yards and two touchdowns, while Chuba Hubbard added 43 yards and a score off 16 carries. DJ Chark led the receivers with 98 yards and two scores off six grabs.
Carolina Panthers Team Facts
- The Panthers have lost each of their last 10 road games played on the East Coast.
- The Panthers have failed to cover the spread in each of their last nine road games following a home loss.
- The Panthers have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six Week 17 road games.
- The Panthers have won the first quarter in three of their last four games as underdogs in Florida.
- The Panthers have lost the first half in each of their last 10 Sunday games.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Over on the Jaguars’ side, they were sitting at a solid 8-3 back in late November. Jacksonville has fallen to the Bengals, Browns, Ravens and Buccaneers since then, however. On average, the Jaguars are posting 22.1 points per game with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions coming through the air. Jacksonville’s rush has contributed 93.9 yards per game and 15 scores.
Matched up against Tampa Bay on Sunday, the Jaguars were down 20-0 in the locker room. Jacksonville got slightly better from there but still lost sizably 30-12. Trevor Lawrence threw for 211 yards, one TD and two interceptions while also leading the rush with 29 yards. Evan Ingram caught 10 balls for 95 yards to top the receivers.
Jacksonville Jaguars Team Facts
- The Jaguars have lost each of their last seven games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Jaguars have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as home favorites following a road loss.
- The Jaguars have scored the first touchdown in six of their last seven games as favorites.
- The Jaguars have lost the first half in each of their last six December games against NFC South opponents.
- The Jaguars have lost the first quarter in four of their last five December games as favorites.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Jaguars rank 32nd in the NFL in H2 opponent points per game this season (13.9).
- The Jaguars rank 2nd in the NFL in Q1 opponent points per game this season (2.4).
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in sacks this season (21.0).
- The Panthers rank 32nd in the NFL in forced fumbles this season (4).
ANDREW’S FREE PANTHERS VS JAGUARS PREDICTION
I’ll stick with Jacksonville. This is a weird one, though; both teams are struggling and could use a bit of momentum. The Jaguars are flailing on offense these days. In the loss to the Buccaneers, Jacksonville posted a tepid 305 total yards (268 passing) and shot themselves in the foot with four turnovers (two fumbles). That makes just 19 combined points over the last two games for the Jags; they’ve simply got to get the scoring going on Sunday.
As for Carolina, they get credit for at least hanging around with Green Bay in their latest loss. The Panthers mustered 394 total yards in that one (298 passing) with 26 first downs in a pretty decent display. It was the first time Carolina has hit 30 points all season, which is a step in the right direction. I like another decent scoring outing here with a Jaguars cover in the end.