Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets predictions: Who do NFL experts pick to win?
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Jets on Thursday Night Football. Before the season, who thought this would have playoff implications for both teams?
Believe it or not, the 6-8 Jags and 7-7 Jets are eyeing the NFL playoffs with this key Week 16 game. Jacksonville is just a game behind the Tennessee Titans, whom the Jaguars have already beaten once this season. Trevor Lawrence put forth maybe his best pro performance in last week's 40-34 comeback overtime win over the Dallas Cowboys, though he will be without left tackle Cam Robinson for the rest of the season.
New York is technically last in the AFC East, though a win could put them in second by the end of Week 16. Their loss to the Detroit Lions last week was their third straight. Zach Wilson is starting at quarterback again as Mike White continues to recover from a rib injury.
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Who takes a step closer to the postseason? Here's what national NFL reporters and analysts think:
Vinnie Iyer, Sporting News: Jaguars 23-20
Trevor Lawrence, the 2021 No. 1 overall pick, keeps rising as a young franchise QB as the Jaguars keep winning because of their offense. Zach Wilson, the 2021 No. 2 overall, keep struggling as a young non-franchise QB as the Jets try to go back to winning despite their offense. Doug Pederson's team can smell the AFC South title and their diversity of weapons all over the field will cause problems for Robert Saleh's zone-based defense.
John Breech, CBS Sports: Jets 23-20
We have a Jaguars team that hasn't won a cold-weathered game in more than five years. In their past 10 games where the kickoff temperature was under 50 degrees, the Jags have gone 0-10 straight-up and 1-9 against the spread. I don't trust Florida teams in cold weather, especially when they've lost 10 straight games in cold weather.
I like New York's defense so much that I'm taking the Jets even though I have no idea who their starting QB is going to be on Thursday night. That is called blind faith and it's the same faith I've had in Santa since I was two and he's never let me down.
Mike Florio, Pro Football Talk: Jets 20-17
The Jaguars haven’t won three in a row since December 2017. That season nearly ended with the team’s first ever Super Bowl berth. This year, they could end up back in the playoffs for the first time since then. Still, the Jets need this one just a little bit more.
Wes O'Donnell, Bleacher Report: Jets
The only one of our crew on the rarely favored Jets—and I'm not even a Jets fan. Ultimately, I'm still not enough of a believer in the Jaguars, despite Lawrence's undeniable ascension, to string together three straight wins. New York has suffered tough defeats in Minnesota, in Buffalo and to the roaring Detroit Lions in the last three weeks.
Quinnen Williams, a genuine game-time decision, would be a welcome boost for Gang Green's defense if he plays. Regardless, I'm leaning on the Jets to grind out this game on the ground in hopes of keeping Lawrence out of rhythm and oft-maligned Zach Wilson efficient. This is a risky wager, but I'm taking the side of streaks snapping in this topsy-turvy NFL season.
Gary Dulac, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Jaguars 28-24
Look out for the Jaguars, the league’s hottest and improbable upstart team along with the Detroit Lions. They have won four of their past six games behind quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who is looking like the player who was the first overall selection in the 2021 draft. After a 5-2 start, the Jets are going the other direction. They have lost four of their past five. This is probably their last chance to hold to a possible wild card spot.
Bill Bender, Sporting News: Jaguars 27-24
This should be an entertaining game considering the improvement on both sides. The Jets won a 26-21 thriller last season, but the Jaguars have won four of their last six games. Trevor Lawrence has 14 TDs and one interception in that stretch. Stay with the hot quarterback.
Michael David Smith, Pro Football Talk: Jaguars 24-17
When the schedule was released, this looked like a terrible Thursday night game. In reality, both teams are still in the playoff hunt. I think Trevor Lawrence outplays Zach Wilson in the matchup of the top two picks in last year’s draft, and the Jaguars win.
Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: Jaguars 24-20
This is an enormous game in the AFC playoff picture. Jacksonville is riding high behind Trevor Lawrence, but the Jets defense has been outstanding. That will present a real problem for Lawrence. The Jacksonville defense has struggled, but Zach Wilson has as well. Look for Lawrence to get the best of it in the battle of 2021 high first-round quarterbacks. Jacksonville keeps pushing for the postseason with a victory.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jaguars vs. Jets predictions: Experts, analysts pick NFL Week 16 game
