NFL action returns to Great Britain after a year’s hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This season, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London will host two contests — although it is unlikely that either will have a profound impact on playoff races. On October 10, the New York Jets take on the Atlanta Falcons; on October 17, the Miami Dolphins face the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Let’s take a quick look at the NFL Odds of these four teams’ prospects and the likely outcome.
NFL News: London Games Betting Preview
October 10
N.Y. Jets vs Atlanta Falcons
The Jets have BYU product Zach Wilson ready to step in and run the offense, and the fan base is hopeful that this quarterback will be more prepared to fill the role than his predecessor, Sam Darnold, turned out to be. Of course, Darnold had basically zero coaching help from Adam Gase, while Wilson has incoming coach Robert Saleh. The Jets’ personnel has its third offensive system in the last four years. So I would expect a learning curve to continue into the season for the Jets, but Saleh did such a fine job getting expertise and buy-in with his defense in San Francisco that I expect a similar level of excellence in the communication in New York.
The Falcons have a new head coach in Arthur Smith and a new general manager in Terry Fontenot. Quarterback Matt Ryan is likely in his last season running the offense if the unit underperforms yet again. The team got rid of Julio Jones via trade, and similar transitions could make sense during what could be the start of a rebuild. This is a team that never really has gotten over the shell shock of surrendering that 28-3 lead over New England in a Super Bowl. In a trip across the Atlantic Ocean, the Jets are more likely to stay focused as a younger team; even though the Falcons have a new head coach, enough of their veteran talent returns in key positions to make them likelier to tune out the new voice in the room as well. Today I’m taking the Jets to eke out a close win.
October 17
Miami Dolphins vs Jacksonville Jaguars
When Ryan Fitzpatrick headed to Washington, Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa had to feel some relief and a sense of job security. However, the Dolphins have just emerged as the front-runner to get Deshaun Watson in a trade with the Houston Texans. The fact that Watson still has over 20 sexual harassment lawsuits over his head means that his playing future is in doubt; the fact that the Dolphins are considering him anyway has to have a profound impact on locker room chemistry.
Tagovailoa had a devastating hip injury his last season at Alabama, and he came into the NFL after an off-season of rehab. His style was a bit conservative at first, as he settled for a lot of check-downs instead of pushing the ball down the field, but he showed in the preseason that his accuracy has improved, while he still has some room to grow when it comes to spreading the field.
Tagovailoa will face off with Trevor Lawrence in this showdown — I’m assuming that no one will give Houston their asking price of two first-round picks and three second-round picks, at least not while Watson’s legal troubles are still ongoing. Lawrence looked solid in Jacksonville’s preseason finale in Dallas, and if he can build some confidence, the Jaguars could give Miami a run. I do expect the Dolphins’ defense to restore order, though.
NFL Betting Odds
Love betting NFL football? | Xbet Sportsbook offers up to date NFL lines
