Deposit Instantly Using Your Credit Card at Sportsbook.com!

Free NFL Picks: Jacksonville Jags v. Detroit Lions

Written by Jack Jones

The Jacksonville Jaguars 2008 season salvation project will need to get underway immediately when they face the Lions in NFL week 10. The Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions match-up could feature a ghost from the past in newly signed Detroit QB Daunte Culpepper. Culpepper could be on his own trying to generate points with an anemic running game. The biggest surprise of the season however has been a Jaguars defense that has fallen well below expectations. The NFL odds for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions game is Jacksonville -6.5 to -7.0 on the SPREAD.

Detroit wideout Calvin Johnson (4.35 40-speed 6′4″ 240) could become either Culpepper’s best friend in a hurry. Either Culpepper or inexperienced Drew Staton should have time to pass against a weak Jacksonville pass-rush that has only 11.0 sacks. Johnson could torch a Jaguars secondary that lacks any top-flight talent. The Lions could also find success on the ground with rookie RB Kevin Smith (4.45 40-speed 6′1″ 211), a strong runner that can make yards after contact. Smith and backup RB Rudi Johnson (5′10″ 225 4.60 40-speed) will test a Jags run D that gave up 159 yards last week to the ordinary Cedric Benson. Jacksonville fell apart against the Bengals in a 19-21 loss leaving them in a challenging spot for a playoff seed. “We find ourselves in a tough spot,” Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio said. “This is not what we had envisioned, but it is what we have earned. What is most important to me is how we respond. “First and foremost, we have to stick together. There’s not going to be anybody from the outside coming in and giving us a hand.” Jacksonville’s defense was highly touted coming into the season, but is currently ranked only 13th in scoring. “I know we’re a good team, so to be behind the 8-ball like this is unbelievable,” Jaguars defensive lineman Reggie Hayward said. “Getting upset won’t stop the pain.’ The Jaguars spent big in the off-season to develop a shut down defense, but most of those players have underachieved. “We’re not functioning with a high level of confidence,” Del Rio said. “We’re missing a spark, and we’re trying to find it. It hasn’t been good enough.” If you are doing your NFL betting on the total then the OVER\UNDER for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs Detroit Lions is at 43.0 to -45.0 points.

The once dangerous Jacksonville running attack of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew has stalled. Jacksonville is a smash mouth football team that lives and dies by running the football. The Jaguars will attack a very weak Detroit secondary with QB David Garrard (55 MPH pass-speed = 95 MPH fastball). Garrard should have a big day throwing to his big #1 target WR Matt Jones (6′4″ 240 4.40 40-speed). The Lions may have an advantage with their pass-rush against a Jaguars O-line that has allowed 21.0 sacks. Detroit has some talent on the D-line that could give them an advantage in the 3rd and long situations at home. It will be up to a set of Lions linebackers that have been almost invisible to improve Detroit allowing 4.7 yards per carry. If Detroit can’t control the run Garrard will pick them apart with play-action plays. The Jaguars can be predictable on offense and if they can get the Jaguars in a hole early they have a shot at an upset.

The Lions playing multiple chairs with their QB’s makes life difficult. It’s hard to believe that the Jaguars talented team is sitting at 3-5 at the midpoint of the season. The Lions must prove that they have some running attack to take the heat off whoever the QB is. Jacksonville has been plagued from slow start’s and must give their offense a cushion. The cold and wet conditions should make for a low scoring game that will be decided by defense and the running game. If you like making your NFL picks on the straight up winner of the game Jacksonville -259 to -315 on the MONEYLINE.

For his free NFL picks on this game, Jack Jones is taking the points and playing the Lions +6.5.

Get more NFL game picks each week!

If you liked this article, you may also be interested in: