Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Adam Stites

Week 7 picks: Who the experts are taking in Jaguars vs. Saints

The Jacksonville Jaguars have won three straight on the back of an offense that’s starting to find its footing and a defense that is racking up takeaways at a league-leading pace. The New Orleans Saints have lost three of their last four and will be without both of their starting offensive tackles Thursday night.

Yet, it’s the Jaguars that will walk into the Caesars Superdome as underdogs.

That is almost entirely because of a knee injury suffered by quarterback Trevor Lawrence late in the Jaguars’ 37-20 win against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday. While it appears likely that the third-year quarterback will start, that’s no guarantee and his mobility and health, even if he is in the lineup, are in doubt.

But what do the experts think? Here’s a roundup of predictions for the Thursday night contest:

USA Today

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

USA Today’s Week 7 picks

Chris Bumbaca: Jaguars 16-13

Jarrett Bell: Jaguars 23-20

Michael Middlehurst-Schwartz: Jaguars 26-21

Nate Davis: Jaguars 19-16

Safid Deen: Saints 20-17

Tyler Dragon: Jaguars 24-20

Victoria Hernandez: Jaguars 23-21

Lorenzo Reyes: Saints 21-17

NFL.com

Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

NFL.com’s Week 7 picks

Ali Bhanpuri: Jaguars 20-18

Brooke Cersosimo: Jaguars 22-19

Dan Parr: Jaguars 22-20

Gennaro Filice: Saints 14-11

Tom Blair: Jaguars 20-17

ESPN

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

ESPN’s Week 7 picks

Stephania Bell: Jaguars

Matt Bowen: Jaguars

Kimberley Martin: Jaguars

Eric Moody: Saints

Jason Reid: Jaguars

Sam Wickersham: Jaguars

CBS Sports

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

CBS Sports’ Week 7 picks

Pete Prisco: Jaguars

Will Brinson: Jaguars

Jared Dubin: Jaguars

Ryan Wilson: Saints

John Breech: Jaguars

Tyler Sullivan: Jaguars

Dave Richard: Saints

Sporting News

Jenna Watson/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK

Bill Bender

Trevor Lawrence (knee) might not play with the quick turnaround, and that means C.J. Beathard would start at New Orleans. The Saints are 1-5 ATS this season, but they were favored in the five losses. A home underdog in a pick ’em could work out, especially if Lawrence can’t go. We’re making this pick assuming Lawrence plays, but will re-evaluate if he’s out.

Pick: Jaguars 23, Saints 20

Bleacher Report

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Bleacher Report’s Week 7 picks

Gary Davenport: Jaguars

Brad Gagnon: Jaguars

Ian Hanford: Jaguars

Kris Knox: Jaguars

Maurice Moton: Jaguars

Wes O’Donnell: Jaguars

Brent Sobleski: Jaguars

Bottom Line

Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union

Pundits and oddsmakers are on opposite sides in this one. While the Saints are the favorites, experts don’t think they should be. Here’s the final tally:

Jaguars: 28

Saints: 6

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.