The Jacksonville Jaguars and the New Orleans Saints meet Thursday in NFL action from Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Jacksonville is sitting at 4-2 on the season so far following a 17-point win over the rival Colts on Sunday. As for New Orleans, they fell to 3-3 this past weekend following a seven-point loss to the Texans. Check back all season long for free NFL picks at Sports Chat Place. 

Jacksonville Jaguars 

The Jaguars got off to a nice start this year with a Week 1 road win over the Colts, but Jacksonville would go on to take losses in the next pair. Those came 17-9 to the Chiefs and 37-17 versus the Texans. The Jaguars have picked it up since then however, and they’re currently sitting on a three-game win streak versus the Falcons, Bills and Colts. 

In the rematch versus the Colts on Sunday, Jacksonville started slow but then posted 21 points in the second quarter. The Jaguars gave up 14 points in the fourth but still won big 37-20. QB Trevor Lawrence managed 181 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the victory, and Travis Etienne added 18 rushes for 55 yards and two scores. Christian Kirk was the leading team receiver with three catches for 49 yards and a touchdown of his own. 

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Facts

• The Jaguars have lost each of their last 10 road games against NFC opponents.
• The Jaguars have failed to cover the spread in each of their last eight games as underdogs against NFC South opponents.
• The Jaguars have lost the first half in each of their last 10 October games as underdogs against NFC opponents.
• The Jaguars have won the first quarter in each of their last three October games as underdogs.
• Each of the Jaguars’ last five games against NFC South opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.

New Orleans Saints 

Over on the Saints’ side, it’s been a mixed bag so far this year. New Orleans took out the Titans 15-16 and the Panthers 20-17 in their first pair of games, but then lost a pair to the Packers 18-17 and the Buccaneers 26-9 in the next two. The Saints rebounded with a 34-0 blowout win versus New England but then lost to the Texans in the next game to fall back to .500 on the year. 

Back on Sunday versus the Texans, New Orleans was down 17-10 by halftime and couldn’t get much going offensively in the second during a 20-13 defeat. Derek Carr finished with 353 yards, one TD and one interception, and Alvin Kamara carried 19 times for 68 yards. Chris Olave was the team’s leading receiver with 96 yards on seven catches. 

New Orleans Saints Team Facts

• The underdogs have won each of the Saints’ last four games.
• The Saints have failed to cover the spread in each of their last seven games as favorites.
• The Saints have lost the first half in each of their last four games against AFC South opponents.
• The Saints have scored the first touchdown in five of their last six home games against AFC South opponents.
• The underdogs have won the first quarter in three the Saints’ last four Week 7 games.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Saints rank 1st in the NFL in Q3 opponent points per game this season (1.0).
• The Saints rank T2nd in the NFL in interceptions this season (8).
• The Jaguars rank 1st in the NFL in fumbles recovered this season (7).
• The Jaguars rank 31st in the NFL in passing yards allowed per game this season (270.3).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’m going to stick with the Jaguars. Jacksonville is on a roll right now despite a sketchy offensive result in the latest win over the Colts. The Jags managed just 233 yards (148 passing) in that one with 3.8 yards per play and a rough 4-of-14 on third-down conversions. On defense, Jacksonville gave up 354 yards (310 passing) and 18 first downs—the team held it together on that side of the ball with four turnovers (three picks), however. Jacksonville has scored 23 or more points in each of their three wins in this current streak. 

As for New Orleans, they looked good offensively on Sunday with 430 yards, but the two turnovers, seven penalties and 6-of-15 on third downs killed any momentum. The Saints have put up more than 20 points just once this year, and I don’t think they’ll break that trend against the Jaguars.