Jacksonville Jaguars Odds, Lines & Betting

Location: Jacksonville, Florida
Stadium: ALLTEL Stadium
Coach: Jack Del Rio
NFL Championships: None

Jags Team Info : The expansion Jacksonville Jaguars joined the NFL along with the Carolina Panthers for the 1995 season. The growing NFL Market had not expanded since 1976 when the league added the Seattle Seahawks and another Florida team – the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The fact that there were already two NFL teams located in the state led the league to question whether the market could financially sustain another franchise. The Touchdown Jacksonville ownership group went through various contortions as early as 1991, until they were actually awarded a team on November 30th, 1993. Major renovations on the Gator Bowl including the demolition of the entire lower bowl were required before the beginning of the 1995 season.

On the field, the Jags had immediate success with quarterback Mark Brunell (acquired from the Green Bay Packers) and receiver Jimmy Smith proving a formidable combo. In their 2nd season, they went all the way to the Conference Final before losing to the New England Patriots 20-6. The following two seasons, the Jaguars won the AFC Central and had success again in the playoffs. In 1999, they found themselves again one step away from the Super Bowl, but ran into a ferocious Tennessee Titans’ defense that created six turnovers on route to a 33-14 route.

Jacksonville has, potentially, one of the top few defenses in the NFL. Unfortunately, they usually only show their prowess on their home turf. Coach Jack Del Rio is going to find his seat getting very hot if the Jags can’t find a way to keep the positive momentum that comes with upsetting better opponents. Beating Dallas, Pittsburgh (in Week Two, before it was a sure thing that the Steelers had regressed) and the Eagles in Philly become almost meaningless victories when they went out and then lost to teams like Houston (twice!), Buffalo and Washington.

With another tough schedule this 2007 NFL season, the Jags will have their work cut out for them and will need good years from running back Fred Taylor and quarterback Byron Leftwich if the offense is to produce enough to help the strong defense win enough games to carry them into the playoffs.

Official Team Site: Jaguars.com

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