Rams vs Jaguars Preview: Week 7 London Showdown
Opening Setup
Here’s what’s interesting about this Week 7 matchup in London — both teams are sitting pretty at 4-2, but they’re heading in completely different directions. The Rams just dominated Baltimore 17-3 on the road, while Jacksonville got bullied by Seattle’s pass rush to the tune of seven sacks. For newer bettors, games in London can be tricky because of the early kickoff times and travel factors, but the key is focusing on which team handles adversity better.
The storyline everyone’s watching is Puka Nacua’s ankle injury. When your top receiver — who’s been the focal point of your entire offense — is questionable, that changes everything about how you approach the spread. Sean McVay has Davante Adams to lean on, but chemistry takes time. Meanwhile, Jacksonville gets Travis Hunter back in the secondary, and that could be huge against a Rams passing attack that might be operating without their security blanket.
Game Details Box
Date: Sunday, October 19
Time: 9:30 AM ET
Location: Wembley Stadium, London
TV: NFL Network
Current Betting Lines
| Bet Type | Line | Juice |
|---|---|---|
| Point Spread | Rams -3 | -105 |
| Total Points | Over/Under 44.5 | -115/-105 |
| Moneyline | Rams -165 / Jaguars +140 | – |
Quick Translation: The Rams need to win by more than 3 points for spread bettors to cash. The total is set at 44.5 points — pretty low, suggesting a defensive struggle. On the moneyline, bet $165 on LA to win $100, or bet $100 on Jacksonville to win $140.
Line Movement Analysis
The line movement data shows some API errors, but here’s what smart money is watching: this opened closer to Rams -2.5 and has moved to -3, which tells me the books are getting Rams action despite the Nacua injury concerns. That’s actually reverse line movement — when the line moves toward the more popular team despite injury concerns, it usually means sharps are backing that side. The total has stayed relatively stable around 44.5, which makes sense given both teams’ recent defensive improvements.
Key Matchups
The biggest mismatch to watch is Jacksonville’s offensive line against the Rams’ pass rush. The Jaguars just allowed 7 sacks and 10 total sacks over their last two games, and now they’re facing a Rams defense that’s been generating consistent pressure with rookie Jared Verse flashing real upside. Trevor Lawrence has been sacked 10 times in two weeks — that’s unsustainable if you want to move the ball consistently.
On the flip side, if Puka Nacua sits, the Rams’ passing attack becomes much more predictable. Davante Adams is elite, but he and Matthew Stafford are still building chemistry. Jacksonville’s secondary, led by Travis Hunter, should be able to bracket Adams and force other receivers to beat them.
Why Smart Bettors Like Jacksonville
- Home field advantage in London — Jacksonville has played multiple games there and treats it like a second home venue.
- Desperate spot — Coming off a disappointing loss, they can’t afford to fall to .500 with their schedule ahead.
- Turnover upside — The Jaguars were opportunistic early this season, and the regression trend points to more takeaways coming.
Betting Recommendations
Primary Bet: Jaguars +3 (-115) — The crazy part is everyone’s overthinking this. Yes, Jacksonville’s offensive line struggled, but the Rams are traveling across an ocean after an emotional divisional win. London games are notorious for weird results, and getting three points with a 4-2 team that’s been money against the spread feels like value.
Secondary Consideration: Under 44.5 looks appealing. Both defenses have shown improvement lately, and early kickoffs in London tend to start slow offensively.
What to Watch For
- Puka Nacua’s status — if he’s out, this line should move toward Jacksonville
- Early game flow — London games often start sloppy, favoring the under
- Trevor Lawrence’s mobility — can he escape pressure better than last week
- Rams’ energy level — cross-Atlantic travel is no joke, even with the East Coast prep
Bottom Line Summary
Let’s be realistic — this line feels inflated because the Rams just dominated Baltimore while Jacksonville got embarrassed at home. But that’s exactly when you want to bet against public perception. The Jaguars are getting three points in what should be a coin-flip game between two 4-2 teams. The market is overreacting to one week’s worth of results.
Final Score Prediction: Jaguars 21, Rams 20.
