Carolina at Jacksonville

Many expect the Jacksonville Jaguars to take a step forward this season, but how much further? This is a team that has a long long way to go. if you took the Jags' wins from the last three years, which total nine, they wouldn't have made the playoffs last year with three season's worth of wins. I think they are getting a bit too much respect with a short line at home vs. Carolina. Jacksonville has gone 9-39 the last three years, and in those 39 losses, 36 came by four points or more points, so the line certainly looks shaky for this one. Cam Newton was simply not healthy most of last season after a car accident. He is most dangerous as a dual-threat QB, as his legs get equal billing to his arm, and he begins this season healthy. Carolina still has a strong defense, and, while Jacksonville will probably be better offensively this season, they still have a long way to go. The Jags are 18-37-1 ATS at home in their last 56 including 0-8 ATS the past two seasons in September. Under Gus Bradley, they are 10-19 ATS as an underdog. The Jags don't have the benefit of Carolina taking them lightly, as they will be fired up for the season opener. Take Carolina as short chalk.