Jacksonville Jaguars vs. New York Giants NFL Free Pick for Week 12

The Jags are really getting no respect in this game in spite of the fact that they are sitting atop the AFC South and would be the No. 4 seed in the playoffs in the AFC if they started today. If you take out that atrocious 42-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in a game in which QB David Garrard didn’t play, Jacksonville has really been a solid club all year long. It has won three in a row both SU and ATS since that KC loss, scoring at least 24 points in all three games. This offense has reached the 30+ point mark four times on the season, something that no one thought would be possible for a team that really doesn’t have that many “stars” on it. QB David Garrard is having the best year of his career, and he’s having it at a great time. Both he and HC Jack Del Rio were sitting on the hot seat, and both know if he keeps up these numbers, they’ll be safe for next year. Garrard has thrown for 1,694 yards and 17 TDs.

The Giants lost out on their chance to capture a big lead in the NFC East last week by losing to the Philadelphia Eagles. Still, this is an offense that ranks No. 3 in the NFL and a defense that ranks No. 2. Needless to say, HC Tom Coughlin and New York betting fans have to be wondering why on earth this team in just 6-4 overall and is only at .500 ATS. Turnovers and useless penalties have really been hurting. QB Eli Manning has already coughed the ball up 16 times via INTs this year, the second most in the NFL. However, he does have 21 TD passes and is well on his way to another 4,000 yard campaign. RB Ahmad Bradshaw has had fumbling problems, as he has already lost six balls as well. RB Brandon Jacobs is going to be in the starting lineup this week. When you factor in the fact that WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Steve Smith, C Shaun O’Hara, and G Shawn Andrews are all out of the lineup, and you can easily blame injuries as well for the demise of this team.

The Jaguars really might be the better team in this game, and it seems to be a bit of an insult to be catching more than a touchdown. New York has lost two straight games, and it might be looking at a third straight loss to really fall into some deep trouble in the hotly contested NFC.