The NFL hits London for the first time this season this week as the adopted home side of the English capital, the Jacksonville Jaguars, host the Baltimore Ravens who make the trip to Wembley Stadium for the first time.
The Jaguars head into what is their home game with a 1-1 record for the season while the Ravens will be looking to build on a perfect 2-0 start in which they have been very dominant.
Jacksonville Jaguars
This is the fifth time the Jaguars have visited Wembley for a match. They stunk the place out on their first two visits but they have won two thrillers in the last two seasons. That suggests they are getting used to the trip and are beginning to build up a home in London which from an English NFL fan point of view is a good thing.
Jacksonville crushed the Houston Texans in the opening week of the season but they couldn’t get their defence off the field against the Tennessee Titans last weekend and were ultimately overrun by a very good looking outfit. We can give them the benefit of the doubt for that performance though heading into this match.
Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore could not have asked for two easier matches so far this season. They opened up against a toothless Andy Dalton who seemed to go colour-blind the amount of times he threw to Ravens defenders rather than his own receivers and then last week they eased past the Cleveland Browns against a quarterback who ended up leaving early with a migraine.
This will be their toughest test for a couple of reasons. Not only are the Jaguars equipped to take advantage to the injury Baltimore have at right guard but also because they are not used to the trip to London. The Ravens arrived fairly late in the piece and I read that they had been told not to sleep in smaller dozes to assist with the change in time zones!
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Betting
Usually in Wembley matches I like to get on the overs and a line of 38.5 does tempt me but I’ve a feeling both quarterbacks could struggle in this match and I’m not convinced either are going to get the job done on the ground.
I’m tempted by Jacksonville I have to admit and I might end up backing them the nearer we get to the off but the bet I’m going with initially is the sacks. Baltimore will be without their right guard Marshal Yanda which is going to allow this Jaguars defensive line to get after Flacco but with Terrell Suggs around Bortles is always going to be a target.
I’m expecting both sides to go after the quarterback in this match, especially if the run games can’t be established, and so Skybet’s request a bet on there being six or more sacks looks attractive.
Tips
Back 6+ Sacks (Request-a-Bet) for a 3/10 stake at 3.00 with Skybet
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