Steelers vs. Jaguars Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NFL Preseason Week 1

We finally get a look at Travis Hunter in NFL game action on Saturday; how will the rookie phenom look?

Mike Spector

Last Updated: August 8, 2025 10:40 AM EDT • 4 minute read

Pictured: Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter catches a pass as we make our best Steelers vs. Jaguars prediction. Photo by Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union via Imagn Images.

NFL fans get their first look at rookie phenom Travis Hunter in Saturday’s preseason game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Jacksonville Jaguars. We can expect Hunter to play significant snaps on both offense and defense, and we break down what that means for our Steelers vs. Jaguars prediction.

The Jaguars are 4.5-point home betting favorites according to our best sports betting sites, with kickoff from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla., set for 7 p.m. ET. Be sure to check out the rest of our NFL preseason Week 1 predictions.

🏈 Steelers vs. Jaguars predictions & expert picks

🔎 Our NFL player prop odds tool can help you find the best NFL odds across legal sportsbooks in your area to make your NFL picks!

✅ Against the spread pick: Jaguars -4.5 (-110 via BetMGM) ⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ My best bet: Jaguars Over 20.5 team total points (-110 via DraftKings) ⭐⭐⭐⭐

🔮 Steelers vs. Jaguars ATS prediction

Steelers vs. Jaguars Prediction, Odds & Expert Picks: NFL Preseason Week 1 — Pictured Jacksonville Jaguars wide receivers Cam Camper, Travis Hunter, Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. as we make our best Steelers vs. Jaguards prediction. Photo by Doug Engle/Florida Times-Union via Imagn Images.

🐆 Jaguars -4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: -110 via BetMGM ($10 to win $9.09)
🔢 Implied probability: 52.38%

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While many teams prefer to ease their way into the preseason, the Jaguars are looking to make a splash in their first preseason game under new head coach Liam Coen. That includes getting a look at the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft, Travis Hunter, as the team begins to learn if he will be more of an asset at wide receiver or cornerback.

Pittsburgh is somewhat behind in its preparation given that the drama surrounding signing Aaron Rodgers lasted well into the offseason.

Jacksonville appears to be the clearly more motivated team in this opener, especially since it is an NFL-worst 3-11 in September over the last three seasons.

BetMGM is one of the only best sports betting apps offering the standard -110 juice at -4.5 (others are juiced as high as -115), and is also a half-point lower than several others at -5.

📖 Check out our 2025 NFL preseason betting guide for the best betting strategies and full NFL preseason schedule.

💰 Steelers vs. Jaguars best bet

⬆️ Jaguars Over 20.5 team total points ⭐⭐⭐⭐

📊 Best odds: -110 via DraftKings ($10 to win $9.09)
🔢 Implied probability: 52.38%

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Jacksonville is clearly interested in creating a spark in quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has finished a consistent 17th, 17th, and 16th in Total QBR over the last three seasons. They hope to have hired the right man in Coen, who helped Baker Mayfield to career bests in passing touchdowns, passing yards, completion percentage, and off-target percentage in his time as Tampa Bay Buccaneers OC.

I expect an aggressive game plan from the Jaguars, especially using Hunter’s speed at wide receiver. He was tied for tenth among all FBS receivers in touchdowns on vertical routes last year at Colorado (five).

We are increasing our potential return by heading to DraftKings and using a DraftKings promo code for this wager, as bet365 has the same O/U juiced to -120.

This is a confident four-star play, as FanDuel has Jacksonville’s implied probability to throw at least one touchdown at 81.82% (based on -450 odds) and to run for at least one touchdown at a 61.24% implied probability (-158 odds).

📊 Steelers vs. Jaguars odds

Live updated odds from our best live betting sites. Follow the latest NFL scores for line history and matchup info.

🪧 Steelers vs. Jaguars opening odds:

Steelers: +1.5 (-115)
Jaguars: -1.5 (-105)

🚑 Steelers vs. Jaguars injuries

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Written by:
Mike Spector

Mike started in the sports writing industry in July 2019, and gained a lot of followers in his first year after finishing with the No. 2 overall record in an annual NFL betting competition, which made picks against the spread, and from an Over/Under and moneyline perspective. Mike is an avid fan of the NFL, MLB, tennis, and all college sports. In his opinion, March Madness is the best sporting event there is, and he's especially euphoric starting with conference tournament time in college basketball. Mike's a big advocate of "fading the public" and making plays that are contrarian, constantly citing that "there are reasons why they have those big shiny buildings in Las Vegas." When making wagers, Mike always scours the best odds at all of the major sports betting sites, where he mostly sifts through DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, and bet365. He's tried several others and is of the firm belief that bettors should not just stick to one sportsbook, as there is always likely better value to be had with the same wager. In addition, while Mike received his undergraduate degree from Villanova University, he has no issue betting against the Wildcats when it comes to college basketball wagering, and suggests other bettors should always put their “head” before their “hearts.”