The Jaguars have been a laughingstock for most of this decade – five straight years with at least 11 losses. But maybe a turnaround is imminent. The Jaguars could have as many as six new starters on defense and have several foundational players on offense.
Despite not having a winning season or playoff appearance since 2007, the Jags will go off as a trendy pick to click this season. Jacksonville went 5-11 last year, but that was an improvement over each of the last three seasons.
Jacksonville Jaguars Regular Season Win Total Odds at BookMaker.eu
Jaguars Over 7.5 Wins -120
Jaguars Under 7.5 Wins +100
More than the wins and losses, Jacksonville made strides on the field last season while continuing to upgrade on talent. The Jags also used their top five draft picks to bolster a 24th-ranked defense.
The offense was greatly improved last year, and Bradley needs the defense to show similar improvement to save his job. For the first time in several years, the Jags’ offense was watchable. Quarterback Blake Bortles threw a franchise-record 35 touchdowns; receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns both eclipsed 1,000 yards; tight end Julius Thomas had five touchdowns despite multiple injuries; and rookie running back T.J. Yeldon showed promise.
They may still need a couple years to truly be a threat, but this year they should at least be in the mix for a .500 record and a playoff spot. Adding Malik Jackson, Prince Amukamara and Chris Ivory in free agency should give the team a boost. Those veterans should complement a young roster that is packed with potential. But potential doesn’t win football games.
2016 Jacksonville Jaguars Schedule
Week 1: vs. Green Bay Packers ( -4.5 )
Week 2: at San Diego Chargers ( -2.5 )
Week 3: vs. Baltimore Ravens PK
Week 4: vs. Indianapolis Colts ( -3.5 )
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: at Chicago Bears ( -3.5 )
Week 7: vs. Oakland Raiders PK
Week 8: at Tennessee Titans PK
Week 9: at Kansas City Chiefs ( -7 )
Week 10: vs. Houston Texans ( -1 )
Week 11: at Detroit Lions ( -3.5 )
Week 12: at Buffalo Bills ( -5 )
Week 13: vs. Denver Broncos ( -3.5 )
Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings ( -2.5 )
Week 15: at Houston Texans ( -4.5 )
Week 16: vs. Tennessee Titans ( +4.5 )
Week 17: at Indianapolis Colts
Can a season be made or broken in the opening month? It sure can in the NFL, and it sure might be for the Jaguars. Bradley’s first three teams limped out of the gate with records of 0-4, 0-4 and 1-3. This year’s start is critical. The Jaguars face Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers, San Diego’s Philip Rivers, Baltimore’s Joe Flacco and Indy’s Andrew Luck in the opening four weeks. Salvage a split, and the Jaguars will possess something they’ve never had in the Bradley Era – early season momentum. Start poorly again and eventually finish with seven or fewer wins, and ownership would be justified in moving on from this coaching staff.
QUICK PICK
A less patient owner would have cleaned house after the Jaguars lost five of their last six games. They didn’t protect the quarterback, didn’t run the football, didn’t rush the passer and didn’t create turnovers. But Shad Khan sees something in general manager Dave Caldwell and coach Gus Bradley: progress.
Time is running out, though. Although Khan hasn’t made a public mandate for a specific number of wins to earn this administration a fifth year, he demands better results than the combined 12 wins over the last three years. The pressure is especially on Bradley after an offseason overhaul of a woeful defense.
Bradley is only the sixth coach in NFL history to have 13 or fewer wins in his first three years and be allowed to stick around. Of the previous five, Chuck Noll worked out in Pittsburgh with four Super Bowl titles, but the others never had a winning record. Can Bradley buck the trend?
It’s not a stretch to see this team make a two-game improvement, especially considering the schedule. Several teams on the docket are in the same situation as the Jags – looking to improve and contend for a playoff spot. The Jags need to be a bit better or have more luck in those and an 8-8 record is within reach.
NFL Odds: Jacksonville Jaguars Under 7.5 Wins
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