The primetime games this season have been lackluster. Partially due to the matchups and partially due to just poor offensive outputs. This Thursday, we have the Jacksonville Jaguars (+1) traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints. Jamaal Williams was activated this week off of the short term IR and is eligible to practice, but at this time we do not know if he will suit up. The Jags, when healthy, are sh aping into a formidable opponent in the AFC after going toe to toe with the Chiefs in Week 2 and beating the Bills in London in Week 5.
If Trevor Lawrence cannot go on Thursday, CJ Beathard will get the start. For the Saints, they are still an enigma in this NFC playoff picture. The offensive line has not given Derek Carr much time to operate and the red-zone efficiency has been abysmal. Defensively, there have been glimpses of a Top 15 unit, but they lack a consistent pass rush up front. Make sure to check out our Jacksonville Jaguars vs New Orleans Saints predictions.
Evan Engram, JAX, Over 43.5 receiving yards (-115)
The Saints are preparing as if Trevor Lawrence will be starting Thursday night, and early reports are that he is progressing nicely with his sprained left knee. Engram is facing a Saints defense ranked 2nd overall in man coverage rates, which actually favors Engram as one of the more athletic tight ends in the NFL. Engram is the 9th ranked TE in all of football against man coverage, averaging 10.2 yard per catch, which is nearly 2 yards higher than his 8.4 season average. This should be 4 catches for Engram, who has hit that mark in every game this season. 1U