We are not favored to win, but let’s do it anyways! I believe in Him and today is as good a day as any to show who will be running the AFC.

Discuss the game over here

Duuuval!!

Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars (+3)

Sunday, 1 p.m. ET (CBS, Paramount+)

This is a tough road game for Kansas City after not playing well in the opener. They will have Chris Jones back, and that matters. The Jaguars had problems on the interior of the offensive line last week, which is big against Jones. But I think Trevor Lawrence and the offense will play much better than a week ago. This is a shootout. Jaguars win a close one.

Pick: Jaguars 31, Chiefs 30

RAT POISON

But also, TLaw is him. DUUUVAL!!

4. Trevor Lawrence

The Jaguars got lots of preseason hype, and Lawrence delivered against the Colts, feeding picture-perfect throws to Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones in key spots. He could easily be the NFL's smoothest pocket passer this side of Burrow. (+2)

Being the No. 1 overall pick in the NFL draft comes with enormous pressure to be an elite player immediately. Jaguars outside linebacker Travon Walker felt that last season. While Walker had a strong rookie debut in Week 1, the buzz faded as the season went on. He finished 2022 with 3.5 sacks and didn't receive a single vote for Defensive Rookie of the Year.

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/242148

Coach Doug Pederson said Shatley reported an issue after Wednesday's practice and got immediate treatment. He was held out of Thursday's practice but was back in full uniform for Saturday's practice at EverBank Stadium. Pederson said he would be limited until he receives full medical clearance.

"Everything's calmed down," Pederson said. "From a health standpoint, he's good."

Shatley started 12 games at left guard in 2022 and was working with the first-team offensive line in training camp. He's entering his 10th season, which makes him the longest-tenured Jaguar on the roster.

According to the arrest report, police were called to a Wendy's drive-thru after an auto accident in which Searcy allegedly rear-ended the car ahead of him twice. Upon talking to Searcy, police noticed slurred speech, droopy eyelids, and the odor of alcohol, according to the report. The report also said Searcy was unsteady on his feet and appeared confused. Police interviewed Searcy and asked him to take a field sobriety test, which he failed, according to the report. The report also said Searcy blew a 0.19 on the breath alcohol test administered at the jail, which is more than twice Florida's legal limit of 0.08.

Searcy played for the Jaguars from 1996-99. He missed only one game in four seasons and made the Pro Bowl in 1999. He was drafted 11th overall in 1992 by the Pittsburgh Steelers, for whom he played four seasons before signing with the Jaguars as a free agent.

Searcy is one of the co-hosts of a mid-day sports talks show on the official Jaguars radio station in Jacksonville.

cross-posted from: https://fanaticus.social/post/159386

The 25-year-old Pederson has spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, New Orleans Saints, and most recently the Kansas City Chiefs, who waived him in May of 2022, but he's yet to play an official NFL game.

Pederson registered 24 catches for 325 yards and zero touchdowns during 10 games for the Gamblers.

Jaguars 2022 season in review

• 2022 win total: 6.5
• 2022 team record: 9-8
• 2022 record ATS: 8-9-0 (T-16th)
• 2022 team overs*: 8-9-0 (T-10th)

Did you know? Last season was the second time in the last 12 seasons the Jaguars went over their win total (2017). In that span (since 2011), the Jaguars have had just one winning season against the spread (2017: 9-7). Their five straight seasons with a losing ATS record is tied with the New York Jets for the longest active NFL streak.

Jaguars look-ahead to 2023

• 2023 win total: 10
• Odds to make the playoffs? -210 (T-6th)
• Odds to win Super Bowl: +2500 (T-9th)

Jaguars to win AFC South (-180)

Assuming the Jaguars aren't ravaged by injuries to integral players, who is going to challenge them for AFC South supremacy? Houston and Indianapolis each boast win totals of 6.5 and are trotting out rookie quarterbacks and head coaches with suspect offensive lines. Tennessee has a win total of 7.5, but the Titans have question marks on both sides of the ball including quarterback and in the secondary. Meanwhile, Jacksonville's offense ranked top-10 in the NFL in both scoring and yards per play last season and will add wide receiver Calvin Ridley. Throw in a smart, Super Bowl winning head coach like Doug Pederson, an above average defense and a price under -200 and you've got yourself a strong bet on the Jaguars to win the division.