NFL London Week 7: Rams vs Jaguars Picks

[SBR Andy]

The NFL International Series features another game in London in Week 7 with the Rams and Jaguars facing off at Wembley Stadium at 9:30 AM ET on NFL Network.

LA is a small favorite with WR Puka Nacua's availability up in the air.

Can Jacksonville pull off the upset to start Sunday's betting action?

[SBR Andy]

SBR's Gary Pearson previews the matchup in his early Rams vs Jaguars prediction:

Jaguars +3 (-102 DraftKings)

"There are a couple of decisive factors in backing the Jaguars to cover as the 3-point betting underdog, the most important of which revolves around Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua's ankle injury.

Rams head coach Sean McVay said after their win against the Baltimore Ravens that the NFL's leader in receiving yards entering Week 6 might not win the race against time.

I don't expect Nacua to play, as unless their star receiver is 100% healthy, they will err on the side of caution. Nacua, who was on an NFL record-breaking pace before the injury, accounted for 39% of Matthew Stafford's passing yards through the first six games.

While Davante Adams would step into Nacua's No. 1 role seamlessly, the drop-off in productivity and ability thereafter is disconcerting.

Tutu Atwell, the team's third-most productive receiver entering Week 6, missed the Ravens game due to a minor hamstring pull. He'll probably return, but will there be any residual rust, and will he feature in as many snaps as usual?

Otherwise, the Jaguars should find more joy on the ground in a better matchup than against Seattle. Before facing the Seahawks, the Jaguars had the sixth-best offensive rushing DVOA. Compare that to the Rams' middling 15th-ranked defensive rushing DVOA before they faced the Ravens in Baltimore, where they were gashed for 179 yards."