Jaguars’ decision not to rest starters impacts AFC playoff picture

Jaguars’ decision not to rest starters impacts AFC playoff picture, betting line

The Jaguars are locked in as the No. 3 seed in the AFC playoffs, but coach Doug Marrone said his team will not rest its starters for its Week 17 game at the Titans.

“Make no mistake about it so there’s not a lot of talk about it during the week: We’re going to play to win and we’re going to do everything possible to win this game, period,” Marrone told reporters Tuesday, per the Florida Times-Union. “I’m not even thinking about what happens beyond that. That’s the way we’re going to go about our business this week.”

Marrone acknowledged the decision is driven by the fact Jacksonville lost at the 49ers in Week 16, as the team wants to regain momentum ahead of the postseason. His players are on board with the mentality.

He said he hold his team "'Hey, listen, we're going to bounce back, we're going to work our (butts) off this week and we're going to go out and win this game and win this quarter (of the season).’ That was pretty much the conversation. There wasn't any wavering from anyone about what we wanted to do and what we wanted to accomplish this week. We're 100 percent all-in on winning this football game."

The move to go all-out, despite a win or loss having no impact on Jacksonville’s playoff position, has a domino effect on teams vying for the AFC 's two wild cards, particularly the Chargers and Bills, both of whom need the Titans to lose in order to get into the playoffs. Also, Baltimore is in with a Tennessee loss, but the Ravens control their own destiny and can secure a wild card by holding serve at home against Cincinnati.

The Titans make the tournament by beating Jacksonville, a task made significantly taller by the Jags’ all-in approach.

Marrone’s decision also affects the betting line for Sunday’s game in Tennessee, yet bookmakers don’t seem to be completely believing what the coach told reporters Tuesday. At the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, the Titans are 3.5-point favorites as of Wednesday morning, adjusted from an opening spread of -6, per VegasInsider.com. Still, if the Jags needed a win, Tennessee may be priced as the underdog, even at home