Kansas City at Jacksonville

In my ESPN podcast in July I identified the Jaguars as a great bet-on team this season. In a nutshell, I feel that this team will have line value all season long. Exhibit A is this weekend where they are getting 4 points at home to a team that won only two games last season! Kansas City has a lot to be hopeful for with Andy Reid and a new quarterback taking over. Reid's West Coast offense has potential but with current personnel, is that really a good fit? The most dangerous weapon for the Chiefs is Jamaal Charles and that means they are going to run a lot to have a chance to be effective. To make matters worse, right now Charles has a strained foot, but will play. Alex Smith will take over at QB, and while he was respectable in San Francisco, the personnel he had to work with there was a whole lot better than what he will have in KC. A healthy Maurice Jones-Drew will impact the Jacksonville offense, as he sat out most of last year with an injury, and he is a difference maker. The solid running game, and the Chiefs' lack of pressure (five sacks from D-line a year ago), and just 13 takeaways could offer some openings for Blaine Gabbert who while not great, is underrated. The Jags defense has been upgraded with five free-agent signings on the defensive end. This team has made a habit of coming out prepared, going 12-2 ATS in their last 14 season openers. In what looks like a toss-up game to me, the points are crucial here for the home dog. Take Jacksonville.