Jaguars should stop the 49ers in their tracks

Sky Sports Action, 9.05pm Sunday

Tennessee suffered a setback in their playoff push when they lost to San Francisco last week and Jacksonville will not be able to adopt a casual attitude to their trip to California after they tightened their grip on the AFC South.

The Jaguars have had some difficult seasons lately, but they are looking the part this year with the meanest defence in the game.

No team went into Week 16 having conceded fewer than their total of 209 points and a win against the Niners would secure their first AFC South title since the division was created in 2002.

That may not be as easy as they might have thought six weeks ago as San Francisco have dragged themselves towards respectability with four wins in their last five games after they had been beaten in their opening nine encounters.

Jimmy Garoppolo has been playing well at quarterback and there is be a feeling that they can finish the season strongly, but this is a huge test for the former New England back-up against a team who have won seven of their last eight games.

Things have started to come together for the Jaguars and even much-maligned quarterback Blake Bortles has stepped up and put in some decent performances.

Jacksonville look like solid favourites who should get the result they desire, making their potentially crunch game against Tennessee next week a matter of routine.

The Niners are under the direction of coach Kyle Shanahan, who did a great job as Atlanta offensive co-ordinator last year, and have picked up well. But aside from their success over the Titans, the teams they have beaten are Chicago, the New York Giants and Houston.

That trio have mustered just ten successes between them and the Jags represent a much tougher challenge.

Recommendation
Jacksonville -4
2pts 28-29 188Bet

The lowdown
Venue Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California
Surface Grass
Weather Overcast, 10C
Vegas handicap Jacksonville -4.5
Vegas points line 42

Team news
Jacksonville
Wide receiver Allen Hurns (ankle), tight end Marcedes Lewis (shoulder) and running back Chris Ivory (back) are all rated questionable and wide receiver Marquise Lee (ankle) is out.

San Francisco
Wide receiver Marquis Goodwin should be available after a back injury.

Key stat
Five of San Francisco's last seven games have gone under the points line.

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