It’ll be another NFL preseason game with limited starters when the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday.
Tampa Bay will not be playing any of their starters, which means plenty of backups will be vying for their spots on the squad. The Jaguars are likely not going to risk many starters either due to injury issues, but Mac Jones and C.J. Beathard will both hope to claim QB2 honors.
Our Buccaneers vs. Jaguars predictions and NFL picks break down the best betting angles for Saturday's affair.
Buccaneers vs Jaguars prediction
My best bet
Buccaneers 100+ rushing yards (-130 at DraftKings)
My analysis
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know their quarterback depth chart at this point, with Kyle Trask being assigned the backup role. And with the Bucs not planning to give any starters time in this game, they'll clearly be focusing on depth and who will be kept on the roster.
Running back is one of the positions where Tampa Bay will have to make some tough decisions, and I’m expecting this preseason game to be one where they look to build data. That’s why I’m taking the Bucs to top the 100-yard mark on the ground.
Sean Tucker and D.J. Williams each had 10 carries last week against the Bengals, with Bucky Irving also taking six handoffs. Tucker had a strong game, rushing for 68 yards including a 26-yard run to the backside. Williams struggled, managing just 29 yards on the day with none longer than five yards.
The Jacksonville Jaguars beat the Chiefs in their preseason opener, with Patrick Mahomes and his starting crew having just one drive. The pass rush was outstanding, recording five sacks on the day, but they gave up some serious yardage on the ground. Four different Chiefs had runs of 10+ yards, despite gaining just 106 yards on 27 carries in total.
Had the Chiefs given more than four carries to one particular running back, we’d have seen higher numbers. Still, they topped the century mark against a Jacksonville defense that allowed 4.2 yards per carry a season ago.
Tampa Bay finished dead last in yards per carry a season ago and Tucker is a player many believe is fighting for a spot on the roster. He’s a physical runner who can break tackles, hit big plays, and is expected to get closer to 15 carries today. That should be enough to propel the team's rushing total into triple-digits.
Buccaneers vs Jaguars odds
Buccaneers vs Jaguars live odds
Buccaneers vs Jaguars opening odds
- Spread: Tampa Bay +1.5 | Jacksonville -1.5
- Moneyline: Tampa Bay +115 | Jacksonville -135
- Over/Under: Over 37.5 | Under 37.5
Buccaneers vs Jaguars betting trend to know
The Jaguars have won their last four preseason games. Find more NFL betting trends for Buccaneers vs. Jaguars.
Buccaneers vs Jaguars game info
| Location: | EverBank Stadium, Jacksonville, FL |
| Date: | Saturday, 8-17, 2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | NFL+ |
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