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Rams vs. Jaguars: Preview, score prediction for Week 6

By Nick Sparrow

JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars works out on the field prior to the start of their game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on September 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images)
JACKSONVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 17: Leonard Fournette #27 of the Jacksonville Jaguars works out on the field prior to the start of their game against the Tennessee Titans at EverBank Field on September 17, 2017 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by Logan Bowles/Getty Images) /
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars will host the Los Angeles Rams in what is surprisingly one of the best games of the week. The Jaguars are coming off a 30-9 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on the road.

In their Week 5 matchup, Jacksonville rushed for 231 yards and picked off Ben Roethlisberger five times, returning two for touchdowns. The Rams, who had the top-ranked offense before Week 5, only scored 10 points in their loss to the Seattle Seahawks on Sunday.

However, neither team has shown much consistency this season. Which team will then pull through on Sunday in Week 6?

Keys to Victory

The Jaguars have proven that they can rely on their defense to win games, especially when the defense is able to successfully get after the quarterback and force turnovers. The Jaguars enter Week 6 ranked first in both sacks and forced turnovers. Quarterback Blake Bortles has proven to be more of a liability on offense than a weapon.

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In last Sunday’s win, Bortles only dropped back to pass a single time in the entire second half. With the passing game struggling, it would be extremely difficult for this team to come back if they are down early. That is why it is key for the defense to limit the Rams and keep the score low.

Meanwhile, he Rams are going to need to focus on stopping the Jaguars rushing attack on Sunday, specifically rookie running back Leonard Fournette. In Week 5, Fournette had 181 rushing yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.5 yards per carry during the game. Fournette currently ranks second in rushing yards, with only fellow rookie Kareem Hunt having more.

If the Rams defense can stop Fournette, the Jaguars will struggle to have any success on the offensive side of the ball. With one of the best players in the NFL in Aaron Donald on the Rams’ defensive line, Fournette could be in for the first real test of his NFL career.

Betting Odds

Point Spread: Jacksonville -3
Moneyline: Jacksonville -141, Los Angeles +121
Over/Under: 43

All betting odds provided by BookMaker via Sportsbook Review

Next: NFL 2017: Picks against the spread for Week 6

Prediction

The Rams are allowing over 130 rushing yards per game through the first five weeks of the season, so it is hard to imagine them stopping a player as talented as Fournette. While the Rams might have one of the better offenses in the league, but they struggled against the Seahawks last week and the Jaguars defense looks significantly better than Seattle’s at this point in the season. The Rams could still be a team that contends for the playoff spot, but this week seems to be the worst possible matchup for them.

Final Score: Los Angeles Rams: 14, Jacksonville Jaguars: 19

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