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AFC South odds June 20, 2018 Staff Writer

NFL News

2018 NFL Betting Futures: Jaguars Are Small AFC South Odds Favorites

For the first time since 2008, a team other than the Indianapolis Colts or Houston Texans won the AFC South last season. The division race is expected to be closer than ever in 2018, according to AFC South odds.

Who Are the Favorites In The AFC South Odds?

The Jacksonville Jaguars surprised many last year by posting double-digit wins to take home their first division title since winning the old AFC Central back in 1999, and they are listed as +180 favorites (bet $100 to win $180) to repeat as AFC South champions at the sportsbooks.

Led by late blossoming quarterback Blake Bortles, Jacksonville also leaned on one of the NFL’s best defenses and a strong running game to win the division. Rookie running back Leonard Fournette (1,040 rushing yards and 10 total touchdowns) helped balance out the offense. This helped to take some pressure off Bortles. The Jags’ quarterback responded by setting a career high for pass completion percentage (60.2) and low for interceptions (13). Not a bad campaign for Bortles, who was considered a bit of a bust before last season. The Jaguars were 4-2 in divisional games last year.

How Do Tennessee and Jacksonville Stack Up In The AFC South?

The Tennessee Titans went a division-best 5-1 against AFC South opponents and made the playoffs as a Wild Card at 9-7. This sets the Titans up again as a legitimate threat to Jacksonville in 2018. But according to AFC South odds, the Titans are the +333 third choice to win the division behind the Jaguars and Houston Texans (+185).

Regardless, Tennessee took a major step forward with fourth-year quarterback Marcus Mariota. They could also have one of the league’s top rushing attacks with running backs Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis, formerly of the New England Patriots. If new head coach Mike Vrabel can succeed as the successor to the departed Mike Mularkey, then the Titans might be a solid value play to win their first division title in a decade.

There is no doubt that the Texans struggled mightily without quarterback Deshaun Watson, who tore his ACL midway through last season. The Texans dropped eight of nine games after he got hurt. In fact, he might be someone whose NFL MVP odds you should keep an eye on throughout the year. They were 3-4 with him under center. Two of those losses came by three points apiece on the road to the Patriots and Seattle Seahawks. The improvement Houston should make with Watson and All-Pro defensive end J.J. Watt back healthy is why this team is the second choice to win the AFC South. Watt has played a total of eight games over the previous two seasons due to various injuries.

Can Indianapolis Catch Up To The Pack?

The fourth and final choice to win the division is the Indianapolis Colts at +500. The Colts went 4-12 like the Texans last season. However, they are hoping quarterback Andrew Luck will return to lead the offense in 2018. Luck missed all of 2017 following shoulder surgery. His presence alone makes Indianapolis a strong contender to win the AFC South. The Colts won two division titles with a healthy Luck in 2013 and 2014. They also it to the AFC Championship Game the latter year before losing at New England. The big difference this season will be a new head coach in Frank Reich,\. He most recently served as offensive coordinator for the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.