Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Las Vegas Raiders Pick & Prediction DECEMBER 22nd 2024

Preview and Prediction

Five combined victories, 23 total defeats and starting signal-callers sidelined on injured reserve bring the Jacksonville Jaguars to Las Vegas with their sights set on the 2025 season.

The Raiders hold the unfortunate title of owning the longest active losing streak in the league at 10 games and prepare to face Jaguars backup quarterback Mac Jones in what could be their best chance at a win in weeks.

Las Vegas (2-12) let a prime opportunity slip through their fingers on Monday, falling 15-9 to the Atlanta Falcons despite limiting Kirk Cousins to a season-low 112 yards and one interception. The Raiders defense held strong, allowing just 261 yards, but the offense struggled to produce, only mustering 249 yards. Former Falcon Desmond Ridder made his first start for the Raiders, throwing one touchdown and two costly interceptions.

The Raiders are without their former starting quarterback Gardner Minshew, while the Jaguars continue to rely on Jones due to Trevor Lawrence's (shoulder) placement on IR.

Both teams were once afterthoughts in the playoff race, but now find themselves in a tight competition for the No. 1 pick in the 2025 NFL draft. The Raiders last held the top pick in 2007 (JaMarcus Russell) and are currently tied with the New York Giants for the worst record in the league.

Not far behind are the Jaguars, who are part of a group that includes the Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers, and Cleveland Browns. Jacksonville has defeated the Titans and Patriots in their two most recent wins this season, but also suffered a loss to the Browns in Week 2.

Jaguars head coach Doug Pederson, who could potentially be on the hot seat at the end of the season, insists that his team is not focused on their draft position, but rather on finishing the current season with determination and intensity. He believes that the front office in Jacksonville and around the league will take notice of players who continue to give their all in the remaining games.

"Those are the players you can build your team around," Pederson said.

Raiders quarterback Aidan O'Connell, who has been dealing with a bone bruise in his knee since the Raiders' loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is expected to play on Sunday after undergoing a full-speed workout prior to last week's game and returning to practice this week.

"He had a good workout," said Raiders head coach Antonio Pierce. "But he wasn't quite ready to be put out there in that position. So, we kept him as the emergency quarterback, and I would say he's making progress and should be ready to play this week."

Jones will not have to face All-Pro defensive end Maxx Crosby, who underwent surgery for a lingering foot injury. Crosby was officially placed on IR on Wednesday, along with running back Sincere McCormick.

Jacksonville is looking to secure their second win in three games, despite a disappointing season overall. Lawrence initially suffered his shoulder injury in a Week 9 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles and missed the next two games before suffering a concussion in his return against the Houston Texans. He ultimately decided to have season-ending surgery to fully correct his left shoulder once he cleared concussion protocol.

The Jaguars came close to a win at home against the New York Jets on Sunday, but ultimately fell short with a final score of 32-25. Jones had a decent performance, completing 31 of 46 passes for 294 yards and two touchdowns. However, he did throw two costly interceptions. Overall, he looked more like the 2021 version of himself, rather than the version seen at the end of his time with the New England Patriots.

If the Jaguars do end up with the No. 1 pick in the draft, it will be the third time since 2021, when they drafted Lawrence, that they have held the top spot.

Their most recent first-round pick, wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr., has emerged as a rising star in the Jaguars' offense.

The rookie out of LSU showed his potential in the Jaguars' loss on Sunday, catching 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns. Thomas is currently tied for fifth in the league with eight touchdown receptions and is likely to reach 1,000 receiving yards for the season in this week's game, as he currently sits at 964 yards.

Tight end Brenton Strange sustained an AC joint sprain last week in an 11-catch game against the Jets and was limited in practice on Wednesday. He was starting to establish himself as

PREDICTION

Jacksonville Jaguars

20

22

Las Vegas Raiders