As things stand entering Week 15, the Atlanta Falcons (8-5) control their
playoff destiny as they lead the race for the two NFC wild-card spots. But there
is a crowded field breathing right down the Falcons’ next so they can’t afford
to be upset at home Thursday night by a battered Jacksonville team. Atlanta is
an 11.5-point favorite on Bovada’s NFL football odds.
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The
Falcons still mathematically have a chance to repeat as NFC South champs but are
two games behind the Saints with those two facing off next Monday night. But
first things first: a Jacksonville team that already has put 27 players on
season-ending injured reserve this season. The team is so ravaged that receiver
Taylor Price and safeties Akwasi Owusu-Ansah
and Darcel McBath — all signed in the last 10 days —
could play significant roles Thursday night. For sure out for the Jags will be
WRs Mike Thomas, the team’s leading receiver, and Cecil
Shorts.
Jacksonville (4-9) does come off its best performance
of the season, a 41-14 win over a sinking Tampa Bay team on Sunday. Jacksonville
hadn’t scored more than 20 points all season yet had 28 in the second quarter
alone vs. the Bucs. For only the second time in franchise history, the Jaguars
scored on offense, defense and special teams. Star RB Maurice Jones-Drew
continued to be a lone bright spot. The NFL’s leading rusher scored a
career-high four touchdowns.
The Falcons were down 23-7 at the half to
Carolina on Sunday but Matt Ryan threw for 232 yards and three
touchdowns in the second half for a 31-23 victory. Atlanta is 21-0 in Ryan’s
career now (including 5-0 this year) when he has a QB rating of at least 100.
The Falcons also have some injury concerns in this one. Cornerback Brent
Grimes (knee), linebacker Stephen Nicholas
(quadriceps) and cornerback Kelvin Hayden (toe) all
sat out Sunday and all three are very much in question for this one. Nicholas
appears to be the most likely to play.
Jacksonville and Atlanta haven’t
played a regular-season game since 2007 but perhaps no two teams are more
familiar with each other. They have worked out together over the past two
training camps and have played exhibition games the past two years. Falcons
coach Mike Smith was the Jaguars defensive coordinator from
2003 to 2007 and a chunk of Smith’s staff came are former Jaguars
assistants.
The Jags are 1-5-1 in their past seven as a road dog.
Atlanta is 1-3-1 in its past five as a favorite. The under is 6-0 in Jags’ past
six on road.
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RUSH.
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