Jaguars vs. 49ers: Preview, score prediction for Week 16
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. San Francisco 49ers
For the first time since 2007, the Jacksonville Jaguars are headed to the playoffs. And with a win on Sunday at Levi’s Stadium against the San Francisco 49ers, the franchise will capture its first division title since winning the now-defunct AFC Central back in 1999.
Standing in their way this weekend are the 49ers, who like the Jaguars, are in the midst of a three-game winning streak. Can Kyle Shanahan’s revitalized club delay the Jags’ division-clinching party one more week?
Jimmy Garoppolo has certainly revitalized the Niners in recent weeks since taking over the starting job. However, he’s yet to face a defense as formidable as the Jaguars’. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see how this matchup shakes out.
Keys to Victory
If you’re the Niners, you have to get touchdowns instead of field goals when given the opportunity. Keeping quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo out of harm’s way will be huge. The Jaguars have totaled an NFL-high 51 sacks this season.
Meanwhile, San Francisco passers have been dropped 42 times in ’17. Seven of those have come at the expense of Garoppolo, who is completing an impressive 68.7 percent of his throws.
Betting Odds
Point Spread: Jaguars (-4.5)
Moneyline: Jaguars -110, 49ers -110
Over/Under: 42
Prediction
There are plenty of ways to skin a cat and that’s what the San Francisco 49ers will attempt to do this weekend. While Garoppolo has delivered the last three weeks, it’s also worth noting that the team scored a combined three touchdowns and kicked 15 field goals (via Robbie Gould) in the wins over the Bears, Texans and Titans.
Next: 2018 NFL Mock Draft: Giants start baking
Shanahan’s club will have to do better than that this week when facing a Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense that has given ground grudgingly all year. And the Niners’ defensive unit still hasn’t proven it can carry the load. But this figures to be another down-to-the-wire affair.
Final Score: Jacksonville Jaguars: 23, San Francisco 49ers: 19