Jacksonville Jaguars at Washington Commanders 9/11/22 - NFL Picks & Predictions
Last Updated: 09/10/2022 at 11:47 PM ET
The Jacksonville Jaguars visit FedExField in Landover, Maryland on Sunday to play the Washington Commanders in the opening game of the regular season for both teams. Trevor Lawrence, who last season passed for 3,641 yards with 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions, will be under center to start his second season. Travis Etienne Jr, who missed all of last season, will be the starting running back. Offseason acquisition Christian Kirk will join Marvin Jones Jr, and Zay Jones as the top three wide receivers.
Jacksonville's defense, which last season was its weak link, will use a 3-4 alignment with Ray Robertson Harris and Folorunso Fatukasi as the defensive ends and DaVon Hamilton as the starting tackle. Linebackers Josh Allen and Travon Walker will start on the outside with Devin Lloyd and Fayesade Oluokun on the inside. Shaquill Griffin, who is questionable, is the strength of the secondary at cornerback while Rayshawn Jenkins and Andre Cisco are a pair of tough safeties.
Washington begins its regular season with offseason acquisition Carson Wentz as the starting quarterback. Wentz passed for 3,563 yards with 27 touchdowns and seven interceptions last season with the Indianapolis Colts. Washington's featured running back will be Antonio Gibson who rushed for 1,037 yards and seven touchdowns last season while the leading receiver will be Terry McLaurin who caught 77 passes for 1,053 yards and five touchdowns.
Washington's defense was very strong in 2020 but fell back in 2021 because of injuries to several key players and you can find out how else injuries are impacting teams with our NFL picks. The Commanders 4-3 alignment will include Montez Sweat and James Smith Williams at the defensive ends while Daron Payne and Jonathan Allen will be the starting tacos. David Mayo and Jamin Davis will be the starting outside linebackers with Cole Holcomb starting in the middle. Kamren Curl and Bobby McCain are the starting safeties with Kendall Fuller and William Jackson III at the corners.
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Washington's best overall defensive player Chase Young will not play due to being placed on the reserve/PUP list, but the Commanders have plenty of talent and will contain the Jacksonville offense. Washington has covered the number in each of the last four meetings between the two and the Commanders have covered the nut in six of their last nine overall. Jacksonville’s offense should be stronger this season in Trevor Lawrence's second year but the defense will give up too much to an improved Washington offense. Final Score Prediction, Washington Commanders win and cover ATS 26-21.
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