The Jacksonville Jaguars will attempt to extend one streak and halt another when they get Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season started by visiting the New Orleans Saints on Thursday Night Football. Jacksonville (4-2) is coming off its third consecutive victory, a 37-20 triumph over Indianapolis, but has lost four straight overall meetings with the Saints and all of its previous three contests in the Big Easy. The Jaguars could be without quarterback Trevor Lawrence for this matchup, as the star quarterback is questionable with a knee sprain. New Orleans (3-3) has dropped three of its last four games after falling 20-13 at Houston last Sunday.
Kickoff from Caesars Superdome is set for 8:15 p.m. ET. New Orleans is a two-point favorite in the latest Saints vs. Jaguars odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 40.5. Before making any Jaguars vs. Saints picks of your own, you need to see the NFL predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's Advanced Computer Model.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 7 of the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 172-120 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 26-12 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, the model has set its sights on Saints vs. Jaguars and just locked in its picks and Thursday Night Football predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are several NFL odds and betting lines for Jags vs. Saints:
- Saints vs. Jaguars spread: New Orleans -2.5
- Saints vs. Jaguars over/under: 40.5 points
- Saints vs. Jaguars money line: New Orleans -138, Jacksonville +116
- NO: Saints are 0-4-1 against the spread as favorites this season
- JAX: Jaguars are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games
- Saints vs. Jaguars picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why the Saints can cover
New Orleans hasn't had much trouble in the all-time series with the Jaguars, winning five of the seven meetings, including all three at home. The Saints have won the last four matchups between the clubs, most recently posting a 13-6 triumph at Jacksonville in 2019. New Orleans outgained the Jaguars 326-226 in that contest, with wide receiver Michael Thomas and running back Alvin Kamara making a combined 15 catches for 124 yards.
The 30-year-old Thomas, who set the NFL single-season record with 149 receptions that year but appeared in only 10 games over the following three campaigns due to injuries, is second on the Saints in 2023 with 31 catches and 329 yards. Kamara has rushed for 199 yards and a touchdown while hauling in 23 passes for 86 yards in three outings after serving a three-game suspension to start the season. The 28-year-old running back's scoring run against New England in Week 5 was the 73rd TD of his career, moving him past Marques Colston for first place on the franchise's all-time list. See which team to pick here.
Why the Jaguars can cover
Since suffering its seventh loss in nine games in Week 13 last year, Jacksonville has been on a tear during the regular season. The Jaguars won their final five contests of the 2022 campaign and four of six thus far in 2023, including the last three. If able to play, Lawrence will look to continue the surge and exorcise the demons that seem to exist for him at the Superdome.
The first overall pick of the 2021 NFL Draft, Lawrence went 38-2 as a starter for Clemson, with both losses taking place in the Crescent City. Whether or not Lawrence plays, expect Jacksonville's defense to put on a show. The Jaguars lead the league in takeaways (15), second in both interceptions (eight) and turnover differential (plus-seven) and were third against the run (75.3 yards allowed), holding opponents to 86 yards or fewer on the ground in four of their six games. Cornerback Darious Williams and safety Andre Cisco are tied with six others for first in the NFL with three interceptions while linebacker Josh Allen shares third place with seven sacks, which matches his total from last season. See which team to pick here.
How to make Saints vs. Jaguars picks on TNF
SportsLine's model is leaning under the point total, calling for 39 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread cashes in more than 50% of simulations. You can only see the model's TNF picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Saints vs. Jaguars on Thursday Night Football, and which side of the spread cashes more than 50% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the Jaguars vs. Saints spread you need to jump on, all from the model on a 172-120 roll on NFL picks, and find out.
