Jaguars
vs.
Bears
Week 6
NFL Pick
10/16/16
When Jacksonville heads to Chicago in Week 6, fans will be looking at two of the more disappointing teams in the NFL. Jacksonville is young and talented and had hopes of making a playoff run this season. They sit at 1-3 — last place in the AFC South — in desperate need of a win. Chicago, similarly, is 1-4 — last place in the NFC North. Both teams have had extreme difficulty scoring points this year. Jacksonville is averaging 21 points per Game; Chicago is averaging 17. Chicago is favored by 2.5 points on the 5Dimes Sportsbook which has a 46.5-point over/under posted for the Game.
Blake Bortles has been a work-in-progress in 2016. The Jaguars lost their first three Games out of the GAte, two in painfully-close fashion. Bortles had his first interception-free Game this past week as Jacksonville got their first win over Indianapolis, 30-27. He’s throwing for about 250 yards per Game and has thrown seven touchdowns along with six interceptions. Bortles also had his most effective Game running the ball this past week as he went for 36 yards and a touchdown on seven attempts. Protecting the football will be key as to whether Jacksonville can pick up their second win on the season.
All the pressure, offensively, has been placed on the shoulders of Bortles as the running Game has been non-existent. The Jaguars’ young receiving corps is talented but has not produced at a high level so far. Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee and Julius Thomas are all threats but need to be better in order to help out Bortles.
The Bears seem to have found an upgrade at quarterback in Jay Cutler’s abseNCe. Brian Hoyer has been excellent in protecting the football — throwing for six touchdowns and no interceptions. Cutler — listed as questionable for this Game — has more arm strength, but his gunslinger mentality is always a threat to produce more interceptions.
Alshon Jeffery is being underutilized as he only has the third most receptions on the team — behind both Eddie Royal and Zach Miller. Chicago must find a way to get him the ball more often.
Jordan Howard has been a plus for the Bears in the run Game. He’s gone for 229 yards on the ground in the last two Games as Chicago has used him more. Howard is averaging 5.8 yards per carry, 10.2 yards per reception and has one receiving touchdown on the season.
Our Pick – Jags +2.5