Jaguars Leapfrog Colts and Titans in Odds to Win AFC South

"Who's the team that goes from worst to first this season?"

Every year like clockwork, the debate shows, sports content editors, and even fans all attempt to determine which last place NFL team in their respective division will flip the script and finish at the top of the pack the following season.

The NFL offers that kind of parity nearly every season. Since 2002, there have only been two seasons where a team has not gone from last place in the division, to first place the next year.

While the most popular pick this season was the Baltimore Ravens, finishing with a 7-9 record a year ago due to all sorts of injuries down the stretch, perhaps one of the most surprising picks has already made its way into "favorite" status to win their division.

At the start of the season, the Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished with the league's worst record for the second consecutive season were +750 to win the AFC South behind the Indianapolis Colts (-140), and Tennessee Titans (+180). Now, as of the Monday of NFL Week 5, they are now the favorites to win their division.

Jacksonville Jaguars Pass Colts, Titans in AFC South Odds

Right now at FanDuel, Jacksonville is the leader of the pack with +170 odds at the top of the AFC South. Right behind them are the Colts and Titans tied at +190 and the Houston Texans far behind at +3000.

At BetMGM, odds are slightly better for Jacksonville at +175, but they still remain at the top of the board. The oddsmakers remain slightly more optimistic on Indianapolis than they do Tennessee, but again, the difference is marginal.

Are the Jaguars a Good Bet to Win the AFC South?

The Jaguars are a quality team and it's safe to expect them to be in the thick of the competition for arguably the worst division in the NFL, but I still remain optimistic that Indianapolis can turn themselves around because I've seen it be the case for the last several years under Frank Reich.

Before the start of the season, Warren Sharp of Sharp Football Analysis pointed out that throughout Reich's career in Indy, the Colts have constantly struggled out of the gate due to a new quarterback starting each year.

Through the first four games this year, Reich is now 9-15 in Weeks 1-5, with the Colts listed as 3.5-point road underdogs to the Denver Broncos in Week 5.

Even if they lose, Indianapolis has a much easier schedule ahead, with games at home against the aforementioned Jaguars and Houston Texans.

It won't take many wins to take home this division, and with Reich's track record from Week 6 and beyond, as well as the Colts' getting several key players back on both sides of the ball, I'd rather buy way low on them instead of trying to get in on Jacksonville late.

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