We have now reviewed 7 of the 8 division in the NFL. Today we go over the lone remaining division, the AFC South, as I review each team and give my prediction for every team in the division while giving my reasons for the record. The division that is considered arguably the weakest from top to bottom probably has 1 of the best teams in the AFC in it, which can lead to a long season for the other 3 teams that are chasing them. But with that being said, let’s move onto the AFC South Team Predictions.
Houston Texans – With Andre Johnson now in Indianapolis, WR DeAndre Hopkins will now be forced into #1 WR role. Workhorse RB Arian Foster will miss the 1st few games of the season. Their starting QB is still unknown as it will come down to Ryan Mallett or Brian Hoyer. Mr. Everything, aka DE JJ Watt, will hopefully get his sidekick this year as OLB Jadeveon Clowney looks to be finally healthy. The Texans have the type of team that can be in every game this year, but I don’t think they have what it takes to win those close games late.
Record Last Year 9-7
Vegas Wins Over/Under 8.5
My Prediction 7-9
Indianapolis Colts – This year the Colts are definitely 1 of the top, if not the top, AFC contender to get to the Superbowl. Their young star QB Andrew Luck is poised and ready to take the torch of the league from the Bradys, Mannings, Rodgers, and Breess of the league. With the acquisitions of WR Andre Johnson and RB Frank Gore to go with their top 10 WR in TY Hilton, this offense will be one of the best in the league. The biggest question for the Colts will obviously be on the defensive side of the football. Can they hold up?
Record Last Year 11-5
Vegas Wins Over/Under 10.5
My Prediction 12-4
Jacksonville Jaguars – The Jags are getting better. I loved what they did this offseason. However, their offensive and defense lines need to get better if they are going to make any noise. I still think they are 1-2 years away from actually being a threat. I like QB Blake Bortles and he’s now got some good weapons in his WRs with Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee, and TE Julius Thomas. They also used a draft pick on RB TJ Yeldon, who could be huge to their offense and will take some pressure off of Bortles. The pieces are there Jags fans, just have some patience.
Record Last Year 3-13
Vegas Wins Over/Under 5.5
My Prediction 4-12
Tennessee Titans – This offseason was about filling holes and creating competition on the Titans roster. Their offensive line was completely decimated last year with them going all the way down to starting their 5th and 6th OTs to go along with their backup C. They added a pass rusher in Brian Orakpo and some help in the secondary with CB Perrish Cox and S Da’Norris Searcy. On the offensive end they still have 2 dependable players in WR Kendall Wright and TE Delanie Walker, but their season will be now thrown on the shoulders of their rookie QB, their 1st round pick Marcus Mariota. After winning just 2 games last year, an improvement to 6-7 wins would be a drastic improvement to Titans fans.
Record Last Year 2-14
Vegas Wins Over/Under 5.5
My Prediction 6-10
The AFC South has a lot of catching up to do before they can challenge the Colts this year. It shows to the importance of having a stable QB. While Andrew Luck is looked at as the next one in line of the great QBs, the Jags have a 2nd year QB, the Titans will be starting a rookie, and the Texans are in no man’s land. A good QB can cover up a lot mistakes and holes. The Colts have seen that in the past with Peyton Manning, now the Titans, Jags, and even the Texans will look towards young guys in Mariota, Bortles, and Mallett to see if they can be the future franchise QBs to lead their organizations to the next level.
