Jacksonville Jaguars Odds – Jags have grown soft, will fail in the AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars odds have been an enigma for the online sports betting community. They have alternated winning and non-winning seasons over the last four seasons, but their Super Bowl chances have never materialized. With the Colts, Titans and Texans residing in the division, Jacksonville faces a steep climb to the 2009 playoffs.
Jacksonville Jaguars odds: +3500 to win Super Bowl XLIV
- Offensive line was retooled in the offseason
- Rushing attack must get back on track
- Head coach Del Rio’s job could be in jeopardy
Jaguars odds heading into 2008 looked great. After an 11-5 season, bigger and better was expected from this team a year ago. So what happened to the rough, physical team that used to maul opponents?
The Jaguars went from vicious predator to cuddly house cat as a number of pillars that they relied upon in 2007 crumbled last year. Jaguars odds suffered greatly as their offensive line—one team’s foundations of success—completely failed last season.
They allowed 42 sacks last season, which was an 11-sack increase, and they failed to open holes for the running game. After averaging 149.4 rushing yards per game in 2007, the Jags shaved nearly 40 yards per game off that total. All in all, the Jags ranked dropped 18 spots in points scored, which had a ripple effect through the team.
Heading in to this season, Jaguars odds should improve as they spent their top two draft picks on offensive linemen Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, which should replenish the foundation of the team’s ground-and-pound approach. It should also help protect quarterback David Garrard, who was running for his life last season.
Even so, the Jags still lack the weapons in the passing game to be a threat to anyone. Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson—last year’s acquisitions—never panned out, and former first-round picks Reggie Williams and Matt Jones are no longer with the team. An over-the-hill Torry Holt and Dennis Northcutt will be the team’s top two wideouts.
On defense, their sports book odds took a huge hit when defensive coordinator Mike Smith left to coach the Atlanta Falcons. Like the Jags offense, the defense turned very soft. The loss of defensive tackle Marcus Stroud really hurt Jaguars betting last season, as the team couldn’t stop the run. The defensive line has severely deteriorated wasn’t addressed in the offseason.
Jacksonville used to make a good weekly underdog pick because the team was physical, tough and an arduous opponent to play. Now the Jags have grown soft. They used to build on running the ball and stopping the run and, while they’ve improved their own running game, they haven’t addressed their rush defense.
Head coach Jack Del Rio will have to take this team to the playoffs to save his job but this is a team that is no longer on the rise. The Jaguars odds are 35-to-1 for the Super Bowl but, with noticeable weaknesses, this team doesn’t look like it’s worth the price tag.
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Stan Simmons first tasted football through the college game, but his football handicapping has strictly focused on the professional sport. Not many people devote as much time to the NFL as Simmons. For six days a week he works, labors and handicaps the sport, and on the seventh he rests as the games play out. Thoughts or questions? Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
