Jaguars Given Best Odds to Go Worst to First in 2019; Which Teams Offer Value?
- Sportsbooks rate the Jacksonville Jaguars as the team with the best chance to go from last to first in the NFL in 2019
- In 15 of the past 16 NFL seasons, a team has gone from worst to first in the span of a year.
- The Philadelphia Eagles went from worst in the NFC East in 2017 to Super Bowl 52 champions
Two years ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars were AFC South champions and came within one quarter of going to the Super Bowl. Last year, the Jags did a complete pratfall, finishing last in the division at 5-11.
What a difference a year made.
BEARS CLINCH NFC NORTH? worst to first mission complete in a turnaround for the ages ‼️ this is their first division title since 2010#nfl #NFC #nfcnorth #BearDown #DaBears #CHIvsGB pic.twitter.com/ikM2DC9jhp
— Second Deck Sports (@2nddecksports) December 16, 2018
Sportsbooks are of the belief that another year could again lead to a significant difference in the Jaguars’ fortunes. They’re offering Jacksonville the most favorable odds of going from worst to first in their division this season.
2019 Odds to go From Worst to First in NFL
| Team (Division) | Odds |
|---|---|
| Jacksonville Jaguars (AFC South) | +375 |
| New York Jets (AFC East) | +650 |
| Detroit Lions (NFC North) | +1000 |
| Oakland Raiders (AFC West) | +1100 |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (NFC South) | +375 |
| New York Giants (NFC East) | +1200 |
| Cincinnati Bengals (AFC North) | +1800 |
| Arizona Cardinals (NFC West) | +2500 |
*Odds taken 05/19/19
Last season, the Houston Texans (AFC South) and Chicago Bears (NFC North) rebounded and won their divisions a year after finishing in last place. In 15 of the past 16 NFL campaigns, a team has achieved this turnaround.
It’s happened 46 times in NFL history.
Jaguars Go Up, Jaguars Go Down
Is there an elevator installed at the Jaguars’ practice facility?
In 2016, Jacksonville was 3-13 and last in the division. The next season, the Jags went 10-6 and won the AFC South. They led the AFC Championship Game in the fourth quarter, only to see the New England Patriots rally for a 24-20 victory.
Great photo by @Jaguars photographer Rick Wilson, catching legend Fred Taylor consoling rookie running back Leonard @_fournette after the team’s loss to the @Patriots in the AFC Championship. pic.twitter.com/tNNFxB5VUw
— Marilyn Young (@editormarilyn) January 22, 2018
Last season, Jacksonville stumbled home 5-11 and once more settled into the basement.
Why should we expect a turnaround? Well, Jacksonville suited up the NFL’s fifth-best defense last season. They have a potentially explosive runner in Leonard Fournette.
That moment when @NickFoles calls you… pic.twitter.com/l56W7F4587
— #DUUUVAL (@Jaguars) March 14, 2019
And newcomer Nick Foles at quarterback is a significant upgrade over Blake Bortles. He should help the offense that was fifth in yardage and sixth in scoring in 2017 rebound from last season’s 27th and 31st-place finishes in those categories.
The Eagles Landed It
Had the Jags won that AFC Championship game, we would have been treated to a last-to-first Super Bowl matchup between the Jags and Philadelphia Eagles.
That was Nick Foles' 2nd touchdown pass to a tight end in the last 2 postseasons.
The other was a go-ahead TD to Zach Ertz with 2:21 left in Super Bowl LII. pic.twitter.com/7xm3WW03LP
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) January 6, 2019
The QB who led the Eagles to their Super Bowl 52 win and the last QB to throw a Super Bowl TD pass?
That would be Foles.
The New Orleans Saints (Super Bowl 44) also won the Super Bowl in a worst-to-first season.
Don’t Sleep On The Lions
The Jags don’t have the worst NFL divisional odds but mightn’t be the best option.
The NFC North isn’t exactly a powerhouse. The Detroit Lions wouldn’t be a bad play.
Will the @Lions go from worst to first in the NFC North?@KyleBrandt explains why they can, while getting a nice workout in ?
?: @gmfb pic.twitter.com/6iuuT0JAXr
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 19, 2019
They’ve surrounded QB Matthew Stafford with RBs Kerryon Johnson and C.J. Anderson and rookie tight end T.J. Hockenson.
Detroit exhibited flashes last season. The Lions beat the Green Bay Packers twice. They hammered the Patriots and were 10th in the NFL in scoring defense.
One Giants Leap?
On the surface, you might not see the NFC East as a division that’s up for grabs. But take another look.
Now that Foles has moved on, who takes over at QB for the Eagles if Carson Wentz goes down to injury for the third season in a row? In 2014, 2016 and 2018, the Dallas Cowboys posted double-digit wins and captured the division title. In 2015 and 2017, they missed the playoffs.
"Eli still has the ability."@DCarr8 puts on the tape to show that Eli Manning can still make all the throws for the @Giants ?
?: @NFLTotalAccess pic.twitter.com/Bu1gj7uGPp
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) May 17, 2019
Do we even need to remind you about how dysfunctional an operation the Washington Redskins are?
Which brings up to the New York Giants. Losers of 24 games the past two seasons, it’s easy to forget that in 2016, the Giants went 11-5 and earned a wildcard playoff spot. Or that they lost an NFL-high eight games by seven points or less last season.
Cup upsets can happen!
? Patriots were 16-0
?2017 Patriots billed as the greatest team in NFL history
?Tom Brady 50 regular season Touchdowns
?Giants had 6 defeats in regular season
Final score: @Giants 17-14 @Patriots
The greatest upset in NFL history! pic.twitter.com/u9VM4VVnOn
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) May 18, 2019
Running back Saquon Barkley is a monster double threat. If Eli Manning can find one more productive season and they fortify the lines on both sides of the ball, don’t count out the Giants.
Detroit is the best bet, but a small wager on the Giants for a price wouldn’t be foolish.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
