Jacksonville Jaguars vs Washington Commanders Preview (9/11/2022): Betting Odds, Prediction, Depth Chart
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The Washington Commanders will host the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 1 of the 2022-23 NFL season. It will be Washington’s first regular season game with its new team name. It will also be a reunion of sorts for Commanders QB Carson Wentz and Jaguars coach Doug Pederson, who was the Eagles coach when they drafted Wentz in 2016. Check out the odds and our prediction for the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders matchup, along with all the information you need about injuries and depth charts to make your pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders Betting Odds
The Commanders are favored in this matchup at -2.5 on the spread and -140 on the moneyline, and the over/under is set at 44 points. Considering that home field advantage typically counts for about two points on the line, this game is essentially considered a pick’em by the sportsbooks. According to public betting trends, bets against the spread and on the moneyline are split roughly 50/50 in this matchup, but approximately 60% of bettors picked the under.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders Prediction
The Jaguars look to be an improved team this year, if only because they replaced Urban Meyer with Pederson as head coach. With the offense gaining some new weapons like Christian Kirk (free agency) and Travis Etienne Jr. (returning from injury), can second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence make a major jump in year two, similar to what Wentz did under Pederson in 2017? It would not be the biggest surprise. Washington also improved this offseason by bringing in Wentz, who was better last season with Indianapolis than he generally gets credit for. A few dismal moments (like a left-handed pick-six in the endzone) and a terrible collapse at the end of the season overshadow his 62.4% completion percentage and 27-7 TD-INT ratio. Perhaps most importantly, he started all 17 games. Wentz will certainly be an improvement over the QB performance that Washington got from Taylor Heinicke last season.
Despite the Jaguars’ improvements, Washington is still the stronger team. The Commanders will jump out to an early lead and the Jaguars will make a late push, but it will not be enough to cover the spread or to hit the over.
Final Score: Commanders 21, Jaguars 17
Betting Trends
- Jaguars are 1-6 ATS in their last seven games as an underdog and 1-7 in their last eight games overall.
- Commanders are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games as a favorite and 6-2-1 ATS in their last nine games overall.
- Jaguars are 1-4 ATS in their last five games in September.
- Commanders are 0-5 ATS in their last five games in September.
- Under is 13-3 in Jaguars’ last 16 games as an underdog and 12-4 in their last 16 games overall.
- Under is 5-0 in Commanders’ last five home games and 9-3 in their last 12 games overall.
- Under is 4-1 in Jaguars’ last five games in September.
- Over is 8-3 in Commanders’ last 11 games in September.
- Jaguars are 0-4 ATS in their last four matchups with Washington.
Key Injuries
Jacksonville Jaguars Injuries:
- CB Shaquill Griffin (back) – questionable
- DE Jordan Smith (knee) – out
- RB James Robinson (achilles) is expected to play, according to head coach Doug Pederson
“Will he definitely play Sunday?”
Coach Pederson on J-Rob’s status against Washington 👇 pic.twitter.com/aNVgya7wpH
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 5, 2022
Washington Commanders Injuries:
- G Trai Turner (quad) – questionable
- RB J.D. McKissic (groin) – questionable
- WR Cam Sims (concussion) – questionable
- TE Logan Thomas (knee) – questionable
- TE John Bates (calf) – questionable
- TE Cole Turner (hamstring) – questionable
- S Kamren Curl (thumb) – questionable
- RB Brian Robinson (leg) – out
- DE Chase Young (knee, ACL) – out
Key Matchups
Check out the key matchups and mismatches for Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Washington Commanders below.
The Jaguars Offensive Line vs the Commanders Defensive Front
Even without defensive end Chase Young, the Commanders still trot out one of the stronger defensive lines in the NFL, especially on the interior. Defensive tackle Jonathan Allen was PFF’s third-highest graded interior pass rusher in 2021. He and Daron Payne will pose a strong test for the interior of the Jaguars’ offensive line, which features one of their prized offseason acquisitions, veteran guard Brandon Scherff. Scherff is at least familiar with Payne and Allen, having spent the first seven seasons of his career with Washington. He didn’t allow a sack last season and he will be counted on to give Lawrence enough time to find Kirk and his other receivers.
Commanders Wide Receivers vs. Jaguars Secondary
The Jaguars top cornerback Shaquill Griffin is dealing with some back tightness and is currently listed as questionable for this game. Even if he does suit up, a secondary that is already one of the weakest in the league will struggle to match up with the speed of Washington’s wide receiver room. One matchup to focus on is between free agent acquisition Darious Williams and rookie wide receiver Jahan Dotson. Williams was rated as PFF’s fifth-best cornerback in 2020 and will be counted on to bolster the Jaguars’ defensive backfield. If Griffin plays, Williams will match up with Dotson, who has reportedly developed a great chemistry with Wentz during training camp.
Jahan Dotson📈: "Everybody entered training camp wanting to see the chemistry between Carson Wentz & recently extended Terry McLaurin. … The connection that has stood out, however, has been Wentz & first-round rookie Jahan Dotson." https://t.co/c1Il7JJjpW
— Daniel Gallen (@danieljtgallen) July 31, 2022
Jacksonville Jaguars Depth Chart
QB: Trevor Lawrence
RB1: Travis Etienne Jr.
RB2: James Robinson
RB3: Snoop Conner
LWR: Marvin Jones Jr.
SWR: Christian Kirk
RWR: Zay Jones
TE1: Evan Engram
Washington Commanders Depth Chart
QB: Carson Wentz
RB1: Antonio Gibson
RB2: J.D. McKissic
RB3: Jonathan Williams
LWR: Terry McLaurin
RWR: Jahan Dotson
SWR: Curtis Samuel
TE1: Logan Thomas
