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The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a win on Monday Night Football over the Baltimore Ravens that not only snapped a five game losing streak, but was also rookie Blaine Gabbert's first win in the NFL and a win that likely saved head coach Jack Del Rio's job for the season. With a now 2-5 record, the Jaguars can go into Houston and come out one game back of the division lead if they can win.
For the third week in a row, the Jaguars opened on the books as at least 9 point dogs and currently sit at 11 point dogs at some books.
OddsShark Staff - The Jaguars come off their Monday Nighter on short rest, but look ahead to their bye in Week 9.The Jaguars offense was terrible against the Ravens but their defense was stout in the victory. In the past six seasons, the Jags are 5-1 ATS with 5 of those games going OVER the total before a bye week.
They'll be facing a Houston Texans team on "Battle Red Day" that is coming off dismantling the Tennessee Titans 41-7, and that was without star wide receiver Andre Johnson. The Texans have done it in part on the back of now healthy running back Arian Foster.
Both teams rank in the Top 10 defensively, so the real stress will be put on the Jaguars offense who rank 31st in points per game, averaging just 12 points. The Texans opened up at 9 point favorites, making the Jaguars open as at least 9 point dogs for the third game in a row. Look for the Jaguars to once again feed running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who leads the AFC and is second in the NFL in rushing.
Official Prediction: Houston 24, Jacksonville 13