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Only one team has a worse record than the Jacksonville Jaguars, and it’s the winless Detroit Lions. When it comes to favorable matchups, it doesn’t get much better than this for the Los Angeles Rams in Week 13.
Not only are they facing the 2-9 Jaguars, but they’ll be at home in front of a crowd that should be dominated by Rams fans. Having lost their last three games, this matchup with Jacksonville couldn’t have come at a better time – assuming the Rams can take care of business at SoFi Stadium.
The Jags have the fourth-worst point differential in football, have given the ball away 19 times (fourth-most) and have forced just six turnovers in 11 games (fewest). They struggle against the pass, allowing 7.1 net yards per pass attempt, and they’ve also given up 14 rushing touchdowns.
The Rams have had a terrible time protecting the ball in their last three games with seven turnovers and only two takeaways, largely due to the struggles of Matthew Stafford. But again, this matchup is just what the doctor ordered for the Rams. They’re going up against a team that turns the ball over a bunch and hardly ever takes it away.
That should make for a fairly easy victory for the Rams. After falling behind early to the Titans, 49ers and Packers, the Rams should be able to jump out to a lead against Jacksonville and stay on schedule offensively. Expect to see Sony Michel and Darrell Henderson Jr. (if active) running the ball consistently, possibly setting up some more play action and misdirection rather than sticking to a drop-back passing game like the Rams have most of the season.
As 12.5-point favorites, the Rams are fully expected to win this game – and fairly comfortably, too. A loss to the lowly Jaguars would cause fans to slam the panic button, more so than they already have been.
I don’t see them losing this game, though. The Jaguars don’t have the playmakers on either side of the ball that the Titans, 49ers and Packers do. Those teams are playoff contenders. The Jaguars are not.
Final score prediction: Rams 27, Jaguars 20