NFL Odds Week 2: Jaguars opened as 4.5 underdogs to Dolphins

The Carolina Panthers easily covered the spread against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1, winning outright by 11 points. The game was probably closer than the 11 point difference, but that's irrelevant to Vegas. This week, the Jaguars opened up as +4.5 point underdogs to the Miami Dolphins with the line climbing as high as +7 in some places.

This isn't all that surprising that the Dolphins are favorites to win the game, but I was a little surprised it wasn't a higher opening line than +4.5. Though, the Dolphins did seem to struggle through beating Washington, needing a 10-point fourth quarter, which included a special teams touchdown, to get the job done. I'm leaning towards expecting a game similar to the both team's performances last week, at least scoreboard wise. Hopefully not on-field wise.

The over/under on the game in most places is 41.5 which seems about right.

Here's what OddsShark had to say about the game:

The game also pits Jacksonville's No. 31-ranked offense, averaging 9 PPG, against a Dolphins defense that ranks No. 4 this week at 10 PPG. The Jaguars aerial game is averaging 169 yards per game, less than the Dolphins secondary allows through the air, 188 YPG per game.

In comparing defenses, the Miami Dolphins own the league's No. 14-rated front 7 in terms of stopping the run, allowing 161 yards per game when on the road. Jacksonville, on the other hand, rates No. 9 this week in generating rushing yards at home.

OddsShark Predicted Score: Miami 20.4, Jacksonville 19.1