Preseason action on the gridiron is well underway as the 2014 NFL campaign looms large on the immediate horizon. Will the Jaguars keep the title of worst team in the league in the AFC South? Will Aaron Rodgers bounce back? As football season begins, though, do not forget about more under-the-radar sports. The 2014-15 English Premier League begins this weekend, and tennis’ final Grand Slam of the season is one week away from getting underway in New York.

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Worst NFL Team

Jacksonville Jaguars (+280) – Jacksonville compiled a respectable (by its standards) 4-12 record last season, mainly because it beat Houston twice and sent the division-rival Texans to the worst mark in football (2-14). Blake Bortles is looking good so far, but with a rookie quarterback possibly starting and Maurice Jones-Drew a thing of the past, it’s rebuilding mode.

Oakland Raiders (+360) – The Raiders have not finished with a winning record since 2002, and they are coming off consecutive 4-12 campaigns. Oakland was active in free agency and made what should turn out to be a great first-round draft pick in Khalil Mack, but dividends may be paid later rather than sooner.

Minnesota Vikings (+600) – The Vikings made it to the playoffs in 2012, but a likely decline began with mediocre 5-10-1 mark last season. They could be worse this time around with uncertainty at quarterback and a transition on defense with long-time sack-master Jared Allen gone. Still, it’s hard to imagine a team with Adrian Peterson being the worst in the business.

Cleveland Browns (+1000) – Will Johnny Manziel get the starting job or will it be Brian Hoyer? It may not matter, because whoever the starter is will likely be without star receiver Josh Gordon for the entire season (drug-related suspension). The Browns went 4-12 last year, and it’s hard to envision much improvement despite the buzz surrounding Manziel.

NFL Comeback Player of the Year

Aaron Rodgers (+500) – Rodgers missed seven games last season due to a broken collarbone before returning in Week 17 to help Green Bay clinch the NFC North. He is healthy now and will be surrounded by a cast that had to learn how step up in his absence in 2013. Randall Cobb and Jordy Nelson give their signal-caller reliable receiving options.

Julio Jones (+700) – Jones was on pace for a massive season (41 catches, 580 yards in just five games) before being sidelined by a broken foot. The former Alabama standout catches passes from a prototypical drop-back QB in Matt Ryan, who is one of the most durable in the game. Atlanta should also boast a vastly-improved offensive line.

Robert Griffin III (+1000) – Things have been nothing short of disastrous in Washington since an injury-plagued playoff loss to Seattle two seasons ago. RG3 played in 13 games last year, but he was a shadow of his real self. If he can stay healthy, he can be one of the most exciting performers in the game. Additionally, the NFC East should be there for the taking.

Rob Gronkowski (+1000) – In 2011, when he played all 16 games, Gronkowsi made 90 receptions for 1,327 yards and 16 touchdowns. He reached double-digits in TDs in each of his first three NFL seasons before playing in only seven games last year. The tight end has dealt with back, forearm, and several other physical issues, but it is obvious what he can do when healthy.

English Premier League

Chelsea (+162) – The Blues finished third last season, four points back of Manchester City and two behind Liverpool. They are the last club other than one of the Manchester teams to capture a Premier League title (2009-10). Offseason signings included Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa, and Didier Drogba.

Manchester City (+275) – Man City and Man United have alternated titles the last four years, with the Sky Blues prevailing in 2011-12 and 2013-14. Their roster is largely intact for this season, plus the club bolstered its defense by bringing in Eliaquim Mangala. City begins its title defense on Sunday against Newcastle.

Arsenal (+450) – The Gunners are looking for their first EPL trophy since 2003-2004. They finished fourth last year with 79 points, seven shy of Man City but also seven better than fifth-place Everton (10 better than Man U). Arsenal signed forward Alexis Sánchez and is reportedly in the market for several more big names before the transfer window ends on Sept. 1.

Manchester United (+450) – Plan A to replace Sir Alex Ferguson as manager did not last long. Man U stumbled to a seventh-place finish last season under first-year leader David Moyes, who promptly got canned. Louis van Gaal, who oversaw the Dutch national team at the World Cup, is in. That move alone should do wonders for the Red Devils.

U.S. Open

Serena Williams (+150) – Can you imagine Serena going a whole year without winning a Grand Slam? Seems hard to believe. Well, how about this: the world No. 1 has not even reached the quarterfinals of any slam this season. Serena won a hard-court title in Stanford earlier this month, but she lost to her sister in the Montreal semifinals.

Maria Sharapova (+600) – Sharapova has cooled off since winning the French Open, with a fourth-round exit at Wimbledon and a third-round loss in Montreal. Still, she is a proven force at slams. The Russian is a five-time major champion and has won each of the four majors at least once—including the 2006 U.S. Open.

Eugenie Bouchard (+700) – Bouchard is the darling of the WTA Tour right now, and she has been awesome at slams this season: semifinals at the Australian Open and French Open and a runner-up at Wimbledon. However, the world No. 8 lost her opening matches in both Montreal and Cincinnati, so there is cause for concern.

Victoria Azarenka (+700) – Azarenka has been plagued by a foot injury throughout the 2014 campaign, and she has played in just four tournaments since Indian Wells in early March. Down at No. 10 in the world, Azarenka got blown out by Agnieszka Radwanska in the Montreal quarterfinals and pulled out of Cincinnati. Radwanska or Simona Halep would be better choices.

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