Seahawks vs Jaguars odds and prediction for NFL Week 8 game
By Jake Luppino
Amidst the many rumors surrounding the 2-5 Seattle Seahawks, they have a chance at entering their bye week with some hope. After all, hope is one of the integral pieces needed in keeping a locker room together while staring down adversity. It appears even after another discouraging loss in Week 7 — their third straight on the year — the Russell Wilson-less Seahawks still believe in each other.
Although the playoff hopes are now slim, they are still alive. While a win against Pittsburgh or New Orleans would have had 12s more confident, it appears to return of Russell Wilson is right around the corner. Even though Pete Carroll himself will not specify the details, the Seahawks sticking with Geno Smith tells me the whole story.
With the bye week on the helm, Seattle feels it isn’t necessary to bring in another quarterback just for one more game. There was some speculation about Cam Newton and the Seahawks sharing mutual interest, but that ship has sailed. With a young and inexperienced Jaguars team next on the docket, Geno Smith has yet another chance to keep the season alive.
The Jacksonville Jaguars along with rookie sensation, Trevor Lawerence will look to build off their Week 6 win against Miami this weekend in Seattle. Expect the Seahawks to put together another gritty effort as they still look to capture their first home win of the season.
Seahawks vs Jaguars Odds Week 8
Believe it or not the Seattle Seahawks are 2-0 against the spread with Geno Smith. After 4 straight weeks as an underdog, the WynnBet betting odds now have the Seattle Seahawks as -3.5 point favorites. Seattle has -170 moneyline odds, with Jacksonville at +150. The over/under for total points in the game is set at 43.5 (-110 for the over, -110 for the under). If we have learned anything under the Geno Smith era, it is smart to bet the under.
Seahawks vs Jaguars Week 8
Despite the hesitancy to bet on Seattle as the favorite due to their lackluster offensive performances over the last two weeks, I dare you to put some faith in Geno Smith. Many have been hard on Geno Smith — including myself — and maybe, just maybe, it is unfair. After all, Smith is a backup for a reason and not to mention the fact that was he inserted into the starting lineup of a 2-3 team with championship expectations.
Through it all, Smith has been the consummate professional, placing the blame on himself and continually showing up to work everyday trying to get better. Truly no one wants this more than Geno Smith as he is still trying to prove that he is a starting caliber quarterback in the NFL. In Week 8, he will be presented with his best shot at righting his wrongs.
KEY TO THE GAME: Attack the Jaguars secondary
Many were frustrated with the conservative play calling against the Saints in Week 7. It just didn’t make sense that Seattle continually ran the ball against the second best rushing defense in the league. Against the Jaguars in Week 8, we can expect another heavy workload from Alex Collins, but also do not be surprised to see Seattle take some shots down the field.
Seattle’s offensive philosophy has also been to establish the run and then hit the big play over the top. It worked early on against New Orleans and we have seen its marvelous success under Russell Wilson. Jacksonville ranks in the bottom half of the league at stopping the rush, allowing 114.3 yards per game. Fortunately for Seattle, the Jaguars have the 2nd worst secondary in the NFL, allowing 297.8 yards per game.
Defensively, the Seattle Seahawks appear to once again be turning the corner. Over the last three weeks, Seattle’s defense has done an exceptional job of getting off the field on third down with their opponents averaging a near 24% chance of converting. In Week 8, they will be facing a rookie QB who is prone to turning the ball over. Trevor Lawerence is tied for 2nd most interceptions in the league with 8.
dark. Next. Seahawks could add more talent through these trades
With the odds certainly in their favor, Seattle has a real chance of gaining some momentum heading into the bye week. I expect two touchdown passes from Geno Smith along with one interception from D.J. Reed, sparking some hope back in Seattle with a 24-14 victory.