Jacksonville Jaguars are currently not the favorites in the AFC South for 2018

Latest odds have the Jacksonville Jaguars relinquishing the division crown next season.

The Jacksonville Jaguars had a meteoric rise in 2017, winning 10 regular season games, on their way to a division title and trip to the AFC Championship game. It was the Jaguars’ first ever AFC South championship, and the first overall division crown for the team since 1999.

And while Jacksonville was a relatively young team, and the majority of talent from last year’s successful run is returning, newest odds expect the Jaguars to fall from the top of the division after just one season.

Shared by OddSharks, BetOnline posted updated division odds in the NFL, after the flurry of free agency moves in March. Within the latest numbers, it is not Jacksonville who are favorites to repeat, but instead the Houston Texans who are expected to stake claim to the AFC South in 2018:

More from Jacksonville Jaguars News

• Jacksonville Jaguars should welcome Derrick Henry into the kingdom
• Jaguars Rumors: Trent Baalke seems to be getting respect now
• Jaguars News: This division rival might be making a big move
• Former Jacksonville Jaguars S Johnathan Cyprien: “New Profession, Same Standards”
• Jacksonville Jaguars TE Evan Engram officially gets the franchise tag: 3 takeaways

Before injury, Deshaun Watson flashed the talent of a potential star in the making, and J.J Watt also missed the majority of last season, so it’s easy to see why the Texans will be much improved after a 4-12 campaign in 2017.

But the Jaguars have arguably the best defense in the league, and there have been zero signs of that changing any time soon. And while Jacksonville is rolling with Blake Bortles again, and do currently possess a receiving unit with a lot to prove in the passing game, the front office is making the right moves to strengthen what the team does best on offense, which is pounding the rock. The Jaguars reeled in one of the biggest fish in free agency, signing top guard Andrew Norwell to a five-year deal, to pave lanes for bullish running back Leonard Fournette.

The NFL draft is still yet to come in April, and wise selections could easily sway the close odds between the teams. While it would be naive to think a healthy Houston Texans team won’t rack up more wins than they had in 2017, with the Jacksonville Jaguars fielding a dominant defense again next season, and improving an already forceful running game, no one should expect the Jaguars to give up the throne easily in 2018.