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Jaguars vs. Lions Prediction, NFL Picks & Odds for NFL Preseason W2: 8/19

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As the NFL preseason moves on, we’re presented with another great slate of games this week. And honestly, even if the products on the field aren’t your typical NFL teams, everyone seems to be happy that football is back in general. That’s certainly the vibe coming from cities like Jacksonville and Detroit, where they possess young teams that feel like they’re on the cusp of potentially big things in the near future. These squads will now get together to battle it out in Week 2 of the preseason at Ford Field.

There are sure to be plenty of starters on both sides that won’t end up playing in this one, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t value to be had in regards to wagering on the matchup. Our experts have done their best to extract the most value possible with their Jaguars vs. Lions prediction, which can be found below. All odds in this article are powered by BetMGM Sportsbook.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS VS. DETROIT LIONS PREDICTION: Under 39.5 (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook)

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Jaguars vs. Lions Prediction for NFL Preseason Week 2 on Saturday, 8/19

We promise to deliver our official Jaguars vs. Lions prediction up ahead, but first, it may be wise to recap what happened in each team’s Week 1 preseason games. Both the Jags and Lions earned victories last week to set up this matchup of two 1-0 squads. Jacksonville defeated Dallas on the road by a score of 28-23, while Detroit welcomed New York to town and snatched a 21-16 victory.

On the Detroit side of things, they really struggled to produce much offensively but were carried by dominant performances on both defense and special teams. Jacksonville displayed a much more balanced approach, delivering solid performances all the way around. Their 13 penalties is a bit concerning, however.

It’s so tough to pick a selection regarding the spread or money line when it comes to NFL preseason betting due to teams attempting to evaluate their talent with reserves and backups. That’s a big reason why our Jaguars vs. Lions prediction is staying away from those markets, and instead will focus on the total.

Jaguars vs. Lions NFL Picks & Best Bets

By recapping the teams’ Week 1 performances ahead of our Jaguars vs. Lions prediction, it gives us great insight to how both may perform in this one, even without many starters playing. Jacksonville actually played an abundance of starters last week, including QB Trevor Lawrence, so it’ll be interesting to see their approach here. It’s almost a certainty that Detroit’s key players, like Jared Goff, will not be suited up to play.

Many defensive players will also be sitting in this one, but it’s clear from last week that the reserves on that side of the ball for both the Jags and Lions have what it takes to compete. Detroit allowed a mere 216 yards of total offense against the Giants on just 3.9 yards per play.

Jacksonville, meanwhile, held the Cowboys to under 100 yards of rushing and sacked the quarterback four times. Third-down defense was stellar from both squads as well; New York was just 2/13 and Dallas was only 5/15.

With the uncertainty at quarterback behind starters Lawrence and Goff (Recently acquired Teddy Bridgewater won’t play much in this game, if at all), it’s difficult to put much trust in these offensive units against these stout defenses. Because of the factors we listed today, our favorite Jaguars vs. Lions prediction is under 39.5 points (-110 at BetMGM Sportsbook).

How to Bet on Under 39.5 at BetMGM & Claim Your $1,000 First-Bet Offer

To add to the excitement of football finally being back in action, BetMGM Sportsbook has unveiled a sign-up bonus for new users that could pay off in a massive way. It’s extremely easy to claim and get started at the platform; just follow our step-by-step guide below:

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If your wager happens to win, then you’ll keep your winnings like normal. If it loses, however, your account will then be credited with bonus bets of the same value you wagered up to a grand. Your qualifying bet doesn't even have to be on our Jaguars vs. Lions prediction if you don’t want, and no promo code is required to be eligible when using our links to sign up. So, if having $1,000 worth of bet protection sounds good to you, join BetMGM today.

Jaguars vs. Lions Odds for Week 2 of the Preseason on Saturday, August 19th, 2023 via BetMGM Sportsbook

We gave you our best bet for the Jaguars vs. Lions game on Saturday, so you might be curious as to what the betting odds and lines look like at the moment. Courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook, here they are:

  • Jacksonville Jaguars -185 vs. Detroit Lions +150
    • Spread: Jaguars -4 (-110) vs. Lions +4 (-110)
    • Total: Over 39.5 (-110) vs. Under 39.5 (-110)

With these odds, an $11 wager on the under 39.5 would then profit $10 if 39 total points or less are scored. Don’t forget that you won’t even have to worry about the outcome if you tail our Jaguars vs. Lions prediction after registering here for a new account at BetMGM.

If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.

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