-
Jeremy Perry
Chiefs vs. Jaguars Point Spread: NFL Week 1 Odds, Prediction
The Kansas City Chiefs are hoping some significant offseason changes can help put them over
the top as legitimate Super Bowl contenders in the AFC. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, it’s just
about getting back to the postseason after a disappointing season. Week 1 will give us a clear
direction of which direction both teams are heading.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Chiefs are 7-0 against the spread in their last seven September games over the last two
seasons. However, Kansas City was 7-1 at home compared to just 5-3 on the road last season.
The Chiefs will have something to prove as four-point favorites on the road in Jacksonville.
Meanwhile, the Jaguars are 4-1 against the spread in their last five September games.
Jacksonville went 3-5 at home last season, which is a mark they will need to improve on
significantly if they are going to have a shot at making the playoffs. The Jaguars are just 2-5-2
ATS in their last nine games versus AFC opponents.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs overhauled their defense following a disappointing AFC Championship game loss to
the New England Patriots. Kansas City fired Bob Sutton and then hired Steve Spagnuolo as
defensive coordinator, who wasted no time at all switching their base formation from a 3-4 to a
4-3. The Chiefs also brought in defensive ends Frank Clark and Emmanuel Ogbah, safety Tyrann
Mathieu and cornerback Bashaud Breeland with the hope that they can solidify Spagnuolo’s
defense. If they can improve on that side of the football, then Kansas City will be a legitimate
Super Bowl contender.
MVP quarterback Patrick Mahomes is primed for another big year following his breakout
season. While the focus has been on the defense, Mahomes will also get some new weapons
including rookie second round pick Mecole Hardman, who is a burner at wide receiver. It will be
very interesting to see how the Chiefs match up against what’s viewed as an elite defense in
Jacksonville in Week 1.
Jacksonville Jaguars
If the Jaguars are going to succeed this year, it will have to be on the strength of a defense that
was one of the best in the NFL two years ago. Jacksonville’s defense was solid last season but
was hung out to dry by an offense that didn’t pull their weight. The hope is that things will
change this time around.
The Jaguars hopes in 2019 are pinned on Nick Foles being a big improvement at quarterback. As
long as he doesn’t make the back-breaking mistakes Blake Bortles did, this team will already be
improved. If he’s a quality starter and gives this offense a spark, the Jags could again be a top
team in the AFC.
Jacksonville has a capable franchise running back in Leonard Fournette and some intriguing
pieces at wide receiver in Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee. It will be on Foles to bring them all
together and elevate them to their potential this season.
While the Chiefs are clearly the better team on paper, it wouldn’t be shocking if the Jaguars
hung around long enough to cover the spread as four-point underdogs at home in Week 1.
KC
JAC