NFL futures, 2 Jacksonville Jaguars bets: How deep can Jags go?
We've made it to the top half of the board for Super Bowl favorites, and that makes for an exciting deep dive, especially for a Jacksonville Jaguars team primed for a playoff run.
Jaguars high-level odds
- Wins: Over 9.5 (-150) | Under 9.5 (+130)
- To Win Division: -165
- To Win Conference: +1200
- To Win Super Bowl: +2500
The Jaguars won the AFC South last year at 9-8, authored a crazy comeback win in the Wild Card round over the Chargers, and then kept it tight for much of their Divisional Round matchup with Kansas City, falling 27-20.
Heading into 2023, Jacksonville is the clear favorite to win the AFC South, and we'd agree they're the pick there, albeit at a -165 price. They should cruise in what is widely regarded the worst division in football, and they have the roster to be a serious contender in the AFC.
QB Trevor Lawrence headlines the group off of a strong sophomore season, showing the part of the top overall pick that he was. Lawrence figures to lead an excellent offense with weapons throughout. Travis Etienne leads the running back group, and the WR trio of Calvin Ridley, Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, coupled with TE Evan Engram, give Lawrence all the weapons he needs.
The defense should get solid seasons out of Josh Allen, Devin Lloyd, Travon Walker, Tyson Campbell and Rayshawn Jenkins, covering all three areas of the field.
Two futures bets to make on the Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville to win the AFC (+1200 DK)
Found under "Team Futures"
I discussed this future a few weeks back, and the love for Jacksonville very much remains. Bet them to win 10+ games, bet them to win the division, but if you want to go for value, I see it lying here in their odds to win the conference.
The AFC is littered with elite passers. That's no secret. The difference there lies in the quality of the division. Kansas City should win the AFC West, but the Chargers and Broncos are at least viable candidates to put the pressure on. The Bills are favored to win the AFC East, but that may be the toughest division in football heading into 2023. And the AFC North gives them a run for their money as well, making Cincinnati's path all the more treacherous.
No team has an easier path to a division title than the Jaguars. The Texans, Colts and Titans previews were so long ago, and that's because all three teams figure to be among the worst in the AFC and the entire NFL this season.
Lawrence is the real deal and Doug Pederson has brought a franchise their first Super Bowl before. More on Lawrence and the offense now.
Trevor Lawrence to win MVP (+1400 DK)
Found under 'Awards'
Considering quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Joe Burrow have yet to add an MVP to their mantle, we may be jumping the gun on Trevor Lawrence in this market, but why not take a stab if we're already so high on the 2023 season for this Jacksonville team?
We've discussed before the boost a young QB gets when their team adds a new wide receiver, namely with our Chicago Bears preview. The shining examples there are Stefon Diggs for Josh Allen and AJ Brown for Jalen Hurts.
Calvin Ridley deserves to be in that conversation, oft-forgotten because he hasn't played much in two years. Ridley is a strong WR in this league and should help bring this passing game to a new level.
Lawrence threw for 4,111 yards in 2022 on 66.3% passing, tossing 25 touchdowns to just eight interceptions. He'll need to push 5,000 yards and flirt with 40 touchdowns through the air, but after seeing what he did at the tail end of the 2022 season, I'm a believer he can get there.
We may be early on Lawrence, but should Jacksonville build up a sizable division lead and push for the top overall spot in the AFC, don't be surprised to see these odds shorten mightily by the time November rolls around.
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