Florida Legal Betting: Best Jaguars Bets for NFL Week 14

Great news, Florida sports fans! In-person sports betting is now legal in the Sunshine State at casinos run by the Seminole Tribe. Along with in-person sports betting, sports fans can also bet online with the Hard Rock Bet app!

It’s a perfect time for sports betting to go live in the state, as we are in the middle of football season. Bettors in the Sunshine State can place wagers on sides, totals and player props on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins.

I’ll use lines from DraftKings Sportsbook to preview Sunday’s matchup between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Cleveland Browns. DraftKings Sportsbook isn’t available in Florida, but you should be able to get similar lines on the Hard Rock Bet app.

NFL Sports Betting in Florida

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Cleveland Browns

Spread: Jacksonville +2.5 (-105); Cleveland -2.5 (-115)
Moneyline: Jacksonville +124; Cleveland -148
Total: Over 33 (-115); Under 33 (-105)

The Jaguars (8-4) are looking to bounce back on Sunday after they suffered a three-point overtime loss to the Bengals on Monday night. Meanwhile, the Browns (7-5) picked up their second straight loss, falling by 17 points on the road to the Rams.

Both teams enter this weekend’s game wondering who will start at quarterback. The Jaguars saw starter Trevor Lawrence exit Monday’s game with a high ankle sprain. Lawrence is having another stellar season for Jacksonville, completing 67.9% of his passes for 3,004 yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has 248 rushing yards and five touchdowns on his 2023 resume.

The Jaguars officially listed Lawrence as questionable for Sunday’s game. If he can’t play on Sunday, the Jaguars will go with backup quarterback C.J. Beathard, who completed 9-of-10 passes for 63 yards in relief of Lawrence on Monday night. Whether it’s Lawrence or Beathard, head coach Doug Pederson must run the football with Travis Etienne. He hasn’t had a lot of success on the ground this season (771 yards and eight touchdowns on 205 carries) compared to what we saw him do last year (1,125 yards and five touchdowns on 220 carries).

However, we saw Rams RB Kyren Williams be successful against this Browns defense, rushing for 88 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries. Maybe Etienne can do the same, which could help open the passing game for Calvin Ridley, Evan Engram and Zay Jones.

Meanwhile, the Browns decided on Friday that they will not name Joe Flacco or rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson the starter yet for Sunday, per ESPN’s Jake Trotter. Flacco made the start last week against the Rams with Thompson-Robinson out with a concussion. The 38-year-old quarterback completed 23-of-44 passes for 254 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. As for Thompson-Robinson, he’s started in three games. The rookie has completed 52.7% of his passes for 420 yards, a touchdown and four interceptions. Thompson-Robinson is not in the concussion protocol anymore and practiced on Friday.

Nonetheless, it doesn’t matter who starts for the Browns at QB, especially if the defense doesn’t do its job. Defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s defense has allowed 32.5 points per game in their last two games. The Browns have also been gashed on the ground for 144.5 rushing yards per game over those two games. Cleveland does a tremendous job defending the pass, as they are ranked first in opponent completion percentage (56.0) and passing yards per allowed (153.4). If the Browns can fix their run defense, they will be a tough out every week.

With the uncertainty around the starting quarterbacks in this game, it’s hard to pick a side. But at the same time, this uncertainty makes the under a good play. The Browns offense scored 14.6 points per game in their last three games. Meanwhile, I don’t see the Jags scoring a bunch of points with Beathard or a banged-up Lawrence. Both teams will lean on their running games, which leads to field goals and potential long drives.