Football Betting Expert Pick – Jacksonville Hosts Denver

After losing elite wide receiver Brandon Marshall to free agency, the Denver Broncos will have difficulty competing with the Jacksonville Jaguars in their 2010 football betting season opener.

Denver Broncos vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

Live from Jacksonville Municipal Stadium – Florida

Kickoff: 1:00 pm EST Sunday, September 12, 2010

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TV/Radio: CBS

Football Betting Odds:

Denver Broncos +2.5

Jacksonville Jaguars -2.5

Total 39.5

The reasoning behind my pick in this football betting matchup comes down to one thing – the fact that Jacksonville has one of the best running backs in the game in Maurice Jones-Drew and that Denver cannot defend against the run.

As the 26th-ranked rush defense last season, the Broncos gave up a total of 2,059 rushing yards, an average of more than 128 yards per game.

Maurice Jones-Drew should have no problem running through Denver’s porous defensive line early and often as Drew averaged 4.5 yards per carry last season (6th in the NFL).

Although Denver completely lacks the ability to stop opponents on the ground, the Broncos do possess one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.

Led by All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, the Broncos allowed the 3rd-least passing yards (2981 total, 186 per game) in the NFL last year.

Nevertheless, Jacksonville won both their games last football sports betting season, playing against the best pass defenses in the league (New York Jets 1st, Buffalo Bills 2nd) last season.

Although Denver’s defense shows some upside, their offense is utterly horrid.

Their starting running back, Knowshon Moreno, is questionable for Sunday as he is still recovering from a preseason hamstring injury.

Denver also lost their number one wide receiver, Brandon Marshall, this offseason in a trade that got them Miami’s second-round draft pick. The Broncos current number one wideout is Brandon Lloyd who posted a mere 117 receiving yards to go along with zero touchdowns last season.

To boot, the Broncos are currently considering quarterbacks Kyle Orton, Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow as starters, although Orton (3802 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions last season) does appear to have claimed the starting role this week.

Marshall Mention: The Broncos played only two games against elite rushers last season, Ray Rice (Ravens) and Rashard Mendenhall (Steelers). Both ended in defeat by 18+ points.

Football Betting Expert Pick: This summer, Maurice Jones-Drew vowed that Jacksonville would make the playoffs this football betting season, even if he had to carry the team on his shoulders. Bet on him to do so.

Take Jacksonville Jaguars -2.5

For more Week 1 football betting odds, check here!