Jaguars open as 3.5-point underdogs to Commanders

The Jacksonville Jaguars Week 1 matchup against the Washington Commanders will have some interesting elements to it. The most notable one will be Carson Wentz facing off against the team that kept him out of the playoffs in 2021.

Additionally, Doug Pederson will get the chance to restart his NFL career against a familiar foe after spending time in the NFC East with the Philadelphia Eagles. While there he was 6-4 against Washington, but much has changed in the division since. Additionally, he’ll be going against a player in Wentz who he knows very well, as the young quarterback started his young career with Pederson as his first NFL head coach.

However, according to Tipico Sportsbook, the Jags are currently +3.5-point underdogs for their road trip to FedEx Field. The over/under, it’s set at a 43.5 figure for the season opener.

As for the money line, it’s set at +160 for the Jags and -200 for the Commanders.

The Commanders are coming off a season where they were 7-10 last season, but have a more talented roster than the Jags. That includes notables like receiver Terry McLaurin and pass-rusher Chase Young, who expects to be back Week 1 from an ACL injury he sustained Week 10 of last season.

However, the Jags are improved on paper, and if quarterback Trevor Lawrence makes the strides that people are projecting from him, the Jags could make this game a competitive one for the Commanders.