Arizona at Jacksonville

The Jacksonville Jaguars finally won a game last week. Congratulations. They ended up in a shootout against Tennessee, scoring a season-high 29 points. Sometimes it takes just one game to start to believe that you can score, so I expect that the Jags don't get to 29 again here, but score more than the 11.8 points per game they were averaging before last week. The bigger problem for the Jags remains their defense which has allowed 32.3 points per game and is showing little signs of improvement. Only once this season have they held an opponent to under 24 points (and that was offensively challenged Oakland). Arizona is a much improved team over a year ago. Over the last eight weeks they are 5-3 with the losses coming to San Francisco, New Orleans and Seattle - nothing to cry about there. They are beating the teams they are supposed to beat. The offense, which had been problematic, has suddenly found its way as the Cardinals have scored 20 points or more in five straight games. Last year they scored 20+ just once in their final 12 games so this team is far advanced offensively over a year ago. The Cards have now covered six of their last seven following an ATS loss. While Jacksonville may have that satisfied feeling here, as they are 1-7-1 ATS off a win in their previous game. And home field has provided no advantage for them as they are just 2-9 ATS at home dating back to last season. Both teams seem to have a sense of offense right now, so I expect this one to play higher than expected. Go with both Arizona and the OVER.