Buccaneers vs. Jaguars odds: Tampa Bay favored as Trevor Lawrence sits again

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers close out the preseason on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on Friday. Kalshi traders have Tampa Bay at 60% and Jacksonville at 40%, as of this writing.

Tampa Bay enters 2-0 in the preseason after wins over the Jets 24-16 and Kansas City 16-15. Jacksonville is 1-1 after a 24-20 win over New Orleans and a loss to Carolina 34-17. Both teams face the mandatory cutdown to 53 players on Aug. 30.

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According to Kalshi's 2026 NFL market-implied power rankings, Tampa Bay enters as the No. 20 team in the league while Jacksonville ranks 14th.

Jacksonville's Trevor Lawrence has not played in either of the team's first two preseason games. Head coach Liam Coen does not plan to play him or the rest of Jacksonville's starters in the finale either. Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield played the first two possessions in Week 2 against Kansas City. His workload for Friday has not been announced.

The two teams held back-to-back joint practices this week. Jacksonville's offense got the better of the sessions, according to team reporters. Lawrence connected with receivers Parker Washington and Brian Thomas Jr. for a series of big plays, while Mayfield threw an interception. Both coaching staffs have said the joint work matters more for starter evaluation than the game itself will, given how little the two teams' top units are expected to play Friday.

Rookie receivers Josh Cameron, CJ Williams and Trebor Peña have been the story of Jacksonville's summer. The trio combined for six catches and 63 yards in the Week 2 loss to Carolina. Tampa Bay's roster-bubble battles remain centered on its receiver depth behind the starting group.

Kalshi traders have Tampa Bay winning by more than 2.5 points at 53%, as of this writing.

Kalshi traders have the total priced at over 34.5 points at 50%, as of this writing.

Kalshi traders have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at 34% to win the NFC South, as of this writing, leading a division that also includes New Orleans at 29%.

Kalshi traders have the Jacksonville Jaguars at 29% to win the AFC South, as of this writing. Houston leads the division at 46%.

Kalshi markets now predict:

When is Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars? Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET.
Where is the game? EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
How can I watch? NFL Network.
What is Kalshi traders' current number? Tampa Bay 60%, Jacksonville 40%, as of this writing.

Tampa Bay remains the favorite in a game where neither team's starting quarterback is expected to play. Jacksonville's rookie receiver class stands as the clearest storyline heading into cuts.

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