After a less-than-convincing start to the 2023 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have recaptured their ascending swagger toward the Super Bowl title by rattling off three straight victories. But will the good vibes continue in their Week 7 NFL matchup with the New Orleans Saints, on Thursday, October 19, at 8:16 p.m. eastern standard time, on the field at Caesars Superdome, in New Orleans, Louisiana?
The answer, as always, requires in-depth analysis. We’ll provide just that in due time. However, the latest NFL online betting odds for Saints vs. Jaguars do not paint a promising picture for Jacksonville:
Please remember to always double-check these online NFL betting odds until you actually submit your wager. Our Jaguars vs. Saints betting odds are accurate as of Monday, October 16. This will give the best NFL online betting sites tons of time to make any necessary adjustments as the market action continues to develop.
And in this case specifically, we would envision material changes to the Jaguars vs. Saints Week 7 betting lines. The current football betting odds seem to presume Jacksonville will not be playing with starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who left Week 6’s victory over the Indianapolis Colts with an ankle injury. Should this impact when and how you bet on the Saints vs. Jaguars game? We’re here to help you find out.
Should the Jacksonville Jaguars be Concerned with the Trevor Lawrence Ankle Injury?
Jaguars fans were by and large irate when Trevor Lawrence went down in Week 7. The game against the Colts was largely in hand, and he was hurt on a needless rollout that didn’t have any bearing on the outcome. Pressed for details on the severity of the injury, Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson didn’t offer much clarification (via Big Cat Country):
“I thought he played really well. As far as that play call, I mean those are situations that we understand—we were trying to get a short sack [if anything], not necessarily trying to circle the defense. So part of it’s on us, part of it’s on Trevor, but at the same time we got to be smart there. But I thought he played extremely well, saw the field again really well, threw the ball well, just the one miscommunication with Christian [Kirk] for the interception but we’ll clean that up.”
Fortunately for the Jaguars, Lawrence was more upbeat about his prognosis. He told reporters after the game he wasn’t too concerned. According to NFL.com, Lawrence underwent an MRI, and while the injury isn’t considered serious, he’s listed as day-to-day.
This, in turn, helps explain why the Saints are favored over the Jaguars coming off a loss to the Houston Texans. New Orleans is not only playing at home, but they have so far turned in one of the league’s best passing defenses. Only two teams have forced more interceptions, and the Saints rank fifth in net yards allowed per passing attempt. They are also sixth in points surrendered per game.
This matchup poses a tall task for a healthy Lawrence. It becomes a different problem altogether if he’s playing hurt, or if the Jaguars are rolling out backup C.J. Beathard under center instead. Based on comments from Lawrence himself, though, we’re pouncing on Jacksonville’s underdog line.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars (+130)
Jacksonville Can’t Afford to Play It Safe Against New Orleans
Before diving any further into our analysis, here are the latest point spread betting lines for Jaguars vs. Saints:
- New Orleans Saints, -3 (-110)
- Jacksonville Jaguars, +3 (-110)
Many have pointed out the Jaguars need to play the long game this early in the year and potentially rest Lawrence. We can’t get there. Jacksonville’s two early-schedule don’t give them much margin for error, even though they are sitting atop the AFC South Division. The Colts, who they just beat, are still neck-and-neck in betting odds and standings for the AFC entering Week 7.
And if you believe Lawrence will play, you also have to believe the offense will generate enough yards from scrimmage to, at the very least, put up a fight. Jacksonville’s defense, which has allowed more than 21 points once all year, should take care of the rest.
OSB Prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars, +3 (-110)
Jaguars vs. Saints Probably Won’t be a Friend to Anyone Who Loves Watching Offense
Neither Jacksonville nor New Orleans enters Week 7 with a particularly spectacular. That’s reflected in the latest NFL over/under betting lines:
- Over 39 (-110)
- Under 39 (-110)
For all of the progress Lawrence and the Jaguars have shown, they have not exactly lit up the scoreboard. They have still eclipsed 25 points just twice all season, and in two of their past three victories, Lawrence has failed to rack up even 250 passing yards. Given how well the Saints have fared against the pass, Jacksonville’s offense probably won’t have a field day.
Conversely, New Orleans’ own offense is not setting the world on fire. The Saints have scored more than 20 points just once all season, and they rank no higher than 24th in net yards per passing and rushing attempt. Frankly, if both of these teams clear the 20-point benchmark, we’ll be pretty surprised.
OSB Prediction: Under 39 (-110)
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