Tennessee Titans vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Betting Odds, Analysis, NFL Pick

The Jacksonville Jaguars are poised to end their infamous run as underdogs in 42 consecutive games when they host the Tennessee Titans in the last Thursday Night Football matchup of the 2014 NFL season. The Jaguars are consensus three-point favorites against the Titans, who have lost a league-high eight straight games and gone 2-6 against the spread during that stretch.

Point spread: Jaguars opened as three-point favorites; the total was 41 early in the week, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. (Line updates and matchup report)

NFL pick, via Odds Shark computer: 13.6-9.8 Jaguars

Why the Titans can cover the spread

While Tennessee has certainly struggled lately, the team has still won three of the last four meetings with Jacksonville, including a 16-14 home victory back in Week 6 of this season. Granted, the Titans did not cover the spread as 4.5-point home favorites, but quarterback Charlie Whitehurst started that game and earned his only win under center this year.

Whitehurst is expected to start against the Jaguars on Thursday as well with Zach Mettenberger and Jake Locker both injured, and he should be more prepared this time around, since he will be playing against a divisional opponent for the second time.

Why the Jaguars can cover the spread

Jacksonville covered the first meeting with Tennessee this season and has gone 6-1-1 against the spread in the last eight games between the teams. The Jaguars have also covered two of their past three overall, building some confidence last week despite losing 20-12 on the road to the Baltimore Ravens as 14-point underdogs.

They actually held a 12-10 halftime lead at Baltimore thanks to four field goals from kicker Josh Scobee but could not generate any offense after the intermission. Jacksonville has split its previous two home games, earning a 25-24 victory against the New York Giants in Week 13 as a three-point underdog.

Smart pick

This is the biggest game of the season for the Jaguars and likely their last chance to get a win in 2014. They will be playing in a nationally televised game for the only time this year and should be pumped up for that opportunity to put on a show for their fans in their home finale.

Make no mistake about it—the Titans are the worst team in the league right now and in prime position to challenge Jacksonville, the Oakland Raiders and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

Tennessee is just 4-16-2 ATS in its last 22 games, while Jacksonville is 5-2 straight up and versus the line in its past seven as a home favorite. Bet the Jags to come through again in this spot.

Betting trends

• Tennessee is 0-5 SU in its last five games
• Jacksonville is 4-19 SU in its last 23 games at home

Note: All spread and odds data powered by Odds Shark. Follow us on Twitter for injury updates and line move updates.