NFL Week 6 Picks & Predictions: Jaguars vs. Bears (London)

by Travis Pulver |
Oct 12, 2024

Week 6 of the NFL season sees the Jacksonville Jaguars and Chicago Bears hop across the pond for the latest game in the league's International Series. Kickoff is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Current odds have the Bears favored by 1.5 points.

The odds have been all over the place since the opening line was first posted in May, with Jacksonville as a 1.5-point favorite. By October 1st, the line had flipped, and the Bears had become 1.5-point favorites. Odds have since moved from -1.5 to -1 and up to -2 and -2.5 before coming back down to -1 earlier in the week.

It has since moved back to -2 and then down to -1.5. Let's preview this game from a betting perspective.

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Chicago Bears Betting Preview

(Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Details

Opening Line: Jaguars -1.5, O/U 46.5 (-111/-111)
Closing Line: Bears -1.5 (-105), O/U 44.5 (-108/-112)
Location: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England
Start Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
TV: NFL Network
Last Meeting: December 27, 2020: Chicago Bears defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-17

Overview

The Jacksonville Jaguars got off to a slow start last season, but a trip overseas to London saw them win two in a row and return to the U.S. a new and revitalized team. They won five of their next six to improve to 8-3 heading into December (when they fell apart and finished 1-5 the rest of the way).

Jacksonville probably hopes last week's win over the Colts can be the turnaround point for the season this year. Trevor Lawrence had his best game of the season, going 28-of-34 for 371 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception, leading the team to a 37-34 victory.

It was the first win of the season for the Jaguars.

But if that wasn't a turning point, a trip to London may be just what they need. Jacksonville has gone 6-5 in London with wins in three of their last four games, including both last season. Last year's trip was the first time the Jaguars played in back-to-back weeks in London (which they are also doing this week).

While the Bears don't have nearly the same experience in the International Series as the Jaguars, they are not strangers to it. They have played in London twice - in 2011 at Wembley Stadium (a 24-18 win over the Bucs) and more recently in the 2019 season at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium (a 24-21 loss to the Raiders).

Unlike the Jags, the Bears are not hoping for a turnaround but to keep the good times rolling. After starting the season 1-2 with dismal play from rookie quarterback Caleb Williams, Chicago hopes Williams and the team can make it three solid games in a row for both.

Williams did not have a statistically significant day in the win over the Rams in Week 4 (17-of-23 for 157 yards and a touchdown). But he did not lose the game for the Bears and did put them in a position to win (which they did, 24-18).

Last week vs. the Carolina Panthers he lit the defense up, going 20-of-29 for 304 yards and two touchdowns.

Trends

Jacksonville is 6-5 straight up (SU) in London and 1-1 as the visiting team.
Trevor Lawrence has gone 3-1 SU and against the spread (ATS) in London games.
Favorites have gone 22-11-1 SU and 18-16 ATS in London games.
The over is 16-18 in London games, but the under has hit in the last five.

Bottom Line

One quarterback will rise, and the other will fall in London, but not the one Jacksonville fans root for. Lawrence was able to shred a poor Colts defense last week. However, he'll have no such luck against a solid Bears defense this week.

Williams, on the other hand, could have the best game of his young career against the league's worst pass defense.

Pick: Bears -1.5 (-105)

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