NFL odds on the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2009 are likely to be somewhat lower than they were in 2008 when the Jaguars slipped to 5-11 straight up and 4-1 against the NFL betting pointspread. The Jags made some nice off-season moves and head coach Jack Del Rio is pointing Jacksonville to be much improved in 2009.
NFL odds almost have to have Jacksonville improved over last season. Almost everything went wrong for the Jaguars in 2008. Injuries were a huge issue and quarterback David Garrard had a poor year. The Jaguars still have Maurice Jones-Drew so the running game is in good shape. Adding wide receiver Torry Holt in the off-season is huge as he will open up things downfield for Garrard. The team also added offensive tackle Tra Thomas and safety Marlon McCree. They did lose Fred Taylor in the off-season in addition to linebacker Mike Peterson but overall the plusses outweigh the minuses for the Jaguars in NFL odds. Getting offensive tackles Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton in the draft is huge for Jacksonville as well.
Head coach Jack Del Rio is feeling the heat in Jacksonville. You don’t go from a Super Bowl contender to 5-11 without feeling the pressure. The Jaguars will probably need to make the playoffs for Del Rio to keep his job but that is very possible. Rarely in online betting can you say a team can go from 5-11 to the playoffs in the next year in NFL odds but with Jacksonville it is very possible.
The offense is going to be a lot better with the addition of Holt. With new players on the offensive line, the holes should be big for Jones-Drew and that is also good news in NFL betting. The defense is an issue for the Jaguars but Del Rio rarely has had problems coaching defense. If players like Rashean Mathis, Reggie Nelson and Brian Williams play well then Jacksonville can impact the NFL odds on defense in 2009.
The last eight games of the season for the Jaguars last year were decided by a touchdown or less in NFL odds. The Jaguars were considered Super Bowl contenders by online betting gamblers at this time last year. That is not the case in 2009 as they are 50-1 longshots in NFL odds. There is definitely some value with this year’s Jaguars at those types of NFL odds.