- Close
ESPN Staff Writer- Dave Tuley has covered the Las Vegas race and sports book scene since 1998 and runs his own website, ViewFromVegas.com.
With the NFL season finally here, ESPN Chalk's NFL Vegas experts -- Dave Tuley and Erin Rynning -- bring you individual team previews for all 32 squads. They break down each team's strengths and weaknesses along with season win total bets and Super Bowl 50 odds.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Super Bowl odds: 300-1 (opened 300-1)
Over/under: 5.5
2014 regular-season record: 3-13 (6-9-1 ATS)
Odds courtesy of Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook, as of Sept. 7
Dave Tuley
Tuley's Take: I'm conflicted on this team, maybe more so than any in the NFL. The Jaguars are considered one of the worst teams in the league, but I believe in parity and I often end up playing them in individual games because they keep getting so many points.
Over/under (5.5): Even though I think Jacksonville will continue to improve, I'm not sure that will equal more wins, so I'm not going to bite on going over the low season win total of 5.5. Again, I'll be happy with a winning ATS record.
Super Bowl 50 odds (300-1): The Jaguars aren't in the same class as Indianapolis or even Houston. Super Bowl odds of 300-1 ... No thanks. A 30-1 ticket to win the division doesn't look appealing either. Maybe there's a prop on Jacksonville vs. Tennessee for better record.
Erin Rynning
Summary: Talent-wise, the Jaguars will continue to be up against it. And while you leave the door open for Bortles, last year's growing pains will likely carry over into this year. Jacksonville was outscored by more than 10 points per game and yet managed to finish a respectable 6-9-1 ATS. An uptick in offensive production could result in a profitable campaign.
Reason for optimism: It sounds cliche, but there's nowhere to go but up. Despite some historically bad numbers during his rookie season, I feel Bortles has the potential to be an above-average quarterback. With some more skill position talent, and if the offensive line can step up -- which shouldn't be hard considering how poor it was last year -- the Jags will have one of the more improved offenses in the NFL.
Reason for pessimism: There's been rumblings of friction between general manager David Caldwell, Bradley and Jacksonville's analytics department, which isn't a good sign when you're trying to rebuild. Defensively, losing first-round pick defensive end Dante Fowler Jr. will only hinder the development of an already sub-par unit.
O/U (5.5): As with a majority of teams that win three or fewer games the previous season, the markets are projecting improvement. I think we'll see some, though in marginal doses, and lean strongly over the total.
Super Bowl 50 odds (300-1): Even if Bortles pans out, the Jaguars are still a good couple years from being a playoff contender.
