2015 Jacksonville Predictions
The Jags are set up for yet another long and tough season. Last year’s team managed just three wins on their way to a 3-13 season. A five win season this year could be seen as progress perhaps?
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Jacksonville Jaguars
2014 record: 3-13
Jaguars Odds to win 2015 AFC Conference: 75/1
Jaguars Odds to win 2015 Super Bowl: 150/1
There are quite a few deficiencies on this team, but on the bright side first overall draft pick Blake Bortles will be entering his second season, and likely his first season as a starter in the NFL.
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As their odds might suggest there isn’t a lot of faith in the Jaguars going into the 2015 season. This team has been one of, if not the worst team in the NFL for the past few seasons and things don’t appear to be on any type of fast track for that to change. Defensively they were inept last year and they were even worse on offense.
Quarterback Blake Bortles is entering his second season as a pro and should be poised to take the reins as the team’s starter but he is going to need some protection from a line that gave up a league-high 71 sack last season. It’s not as if this team has Maurice Jones Drew to lean on in the run game anymore either, and since 2012 this team has averaged just 89 yards rushing per game.
Former Alabama standout T.J. Yeldon will take over as the team’s running back this season and he’s going to be relied upon heavily to take some pressure off Bortles in the passing game.
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The O-line is going to need a better showing from Luke Joeckel, who in his first two seasons as a pro has not yet reached the level that management expected of him as a second overall pick. Joeckel at left tackle is joined on the O-line by left guard Zane Beadles and the two will have the tall task of protecting Bortles’ blind side this year.
The Jags dished out big money ($24.5 million over four years) to cornerback Davon House to bring him over from Green Bay. The pass rush takes a knock with first round pick Dante Fowler Jr. out for the season (torn ACL) and likely being replaced by 34-year-old Chris Clemons.
Ok so, we’ve been beating up on where the Jags are lacking and why they are likely going to once again be picking in the top three in next year’s draft, but what are some positives to look for with this team?
For starters, T.J. Yeldon should be worth the price of admission, though he’s running behind an O-line which hasn’t done much in the way of opening up lanes for their running backs in the past few years.
Yeldon is a big boy (6’1, 226 pounds) and is a downhill runner who fits in with that Alabama running back mold you see from Eddie Lacy, where he won’t shy away from first contact and will wear on opposing defenses.
Word out of Jaguars camp is that Yeldon has “looked comfortable” in pass protection as well and if he can adjust to the next level of pass rushers at the NFL level, he’ll provide a little bit of breathing room for Bortles.
Speaking of the former first overall pick, Bortles is poised to take the starting job this year in favour of Chad Henne who started last season before being lifted after just two games.
Bortles’ 69.5 QB rating and 11 TD to 17 INT ratio does little to inspire confidence, but remember he was playing behind a terrible O-line and was constantly being chased around by pass rushers.
Weapons aren’t stellar for Bortles, but Yeldon will make a nice safety blanket and Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson are both capable receivers. Longtime tight end Marcedes Lewis will be there as well though his production isn’t much to be excited about.
Jaguars betting outlook
Really, what is there to bet on with this team? How far out of a playoff spot they’ll finish? Don’t go investing any of your money on this team unless you’re looking at a prop bet for season wins where the over/under is 2.5 or something very low.
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The Jags and Titans should have a great battle for last place this year though as the two combined for less wins than the Texans or Colts a season ago.
There might be a fun little prop bet to make with your friends, will the Jaguars and Titans combine for more or less wins than the second place team in the AFC South.
Jacksonville 2015 Prediction
My prediction? Pain.
If this team can win five games this season it would be an accomplishment and at least a sign that things are starting to get going in the right direction. Another three win season is very possible however as I still have a hard time getting on board with this team’s O-line that is not good in pass protection or run blocking.
Simply put, this team is going to struggle to score points week in and week out and in this league if you can’t score points it really doesn’t matter what defense you put on the field, you’re just not going to win games.
No playoffs once again, another top three to five draft pick coming in the 2016 NFL draft.
The 2015 NFL futures betting season is right around the corner! If you like to bet on the NFL, you are in the best possible place for online betting.
CappersPicks.com has NFL odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find NFL lines up for early games as well.
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