When it comes to the AFC South this year, it is a young mans league. Other than Ryan Tannehill, All the quarterbacks are 24 years old or younger who will start (assuming Colts start Anthony Richardson). Expectations of this division are not the highest, but the AFC South may just surprise everyone. Here is my ranking of the AFC South Division
1. Tennessee Titans (+310)
On my show The JCPod, I originally leaned Jacksonville in the one spot. However, a late signing of Deandre Hopkins has me feeling some type of way. This Mike Vrabel led squad has some potential to get back to where they were just a few years ago. Derrick Henry and D-Hop will be a really good combo for Tannehill to lean on. The defense for the Titans will be solid no matter who they got, Vrabel will make sure of that.
The real way this team will be able to take over the division will be QB play and the “role players.” Guys like Treylon Burks and Chigoziem Okonkwo will have to step up this year and become more reliable for Tannehill. Along with that, Tannehill will need to play more sharply than he did last year. If things go south for this team, we could see Will Levis end up playing some games. The Titans have a favorable schedule, as they are in the top 10 easiest on most sites. There is a chance that if the Titans can get the ship right this year, they could make a run at the AFC South
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (-155)
The Doug Pederson led Jaguars took everyone by shock last year and had a really good season, the high point being a huge comeback in the wildcard against the Los Angeles Chargers. However, wining the division has earned this team a really tough schedule. The big question will be can the Jaguars repeat the success of last year. Getting Calvin Ridley back from suspension, this boosts an offense that was really efficient led my Travis Etienne and Trevor Lawrence.
My main reason for switching this team and the Titans is mainly due to the schedule. The Jaguars have at least four to five harder games than the Titans do. Along with that, I am slightly skeptical that the Jaguars can have another good season like last. They finished 9-8, and I could see them doing about the same or even maybe a game worse. Being a Colts fan, I have gotten to watch this team pretty closely over the years. This could be a huge year for the Jaguars. If they are able to win the division again, this could break them out of the stigma of the Jaguars of old. This team is truly talented, it is just going to come down to beating the other playoff teams they play during the season.
3. Indianapolis Colts (+550)
This team is truly a Darkhorse to win the division, but they just could. After a, and lets be nice here, horrible year last year, the Colts look to bounce back. They used the fourth overall pick on a young man named Anthony Richardson, and he could be the real deal. The kid has unbelievable athletic tools and is a big boy, standing 6″4 and weighing about 250 pounds. The Colts are returning a lot of the key pieces from last year, the change just is coming mainly on the offensive end. New head coach Shane Steichen looks to get the Colts not fun offense from last year back into being one of the best.
It will take a lot for the Colts to win the division, but it could be done. For this to get done, Richardson will have to be playing well. His athleticism should help bail him out of a few tough spots, but the young man will need to win us over with his arm to prove it. The offense as a whole has to get better, and hopefully Steichen can help with that. The biggest issue on defense is the defensive backs and getting Shaq Leonard back and healthy. My dream for my Colts this year is about seven to eight wins. If they want to win the division, they may need an extra win or two more than that. This team is looking to just take a step forward in the first year of the Steichen era, but they may just be able to take a leap.
4. Houston Texans (+1000)
For this team, they as well are trying to turn over a terrible offense. Last year was not so good for the Texans, which saw them getting the opportunity to draft CJ Stroud and Will Anderson back to back at two and three this year. While I would love to be optimistic for this team, they have farther to go than the other teams. DeMeco Ryans, the former Texans linebacker, is coming back to hopefully turn around a team that has not had some magic in them in a few years. Ryans look to bring the 49ers type defense over to the Texans, along with getting Stroud ready.
This could be a huge year for the Texans. They have been stuck in the mud for awhile, and this offseason of moves could be the first step in the right direction for them. The goal for the Texans this year should be to get a few extra wins they did last year. If they are able to have a good progress year this year, next season could be promising.
Jaden Chandler-Parnell, or “JC” is a Sports/Betting Insider for Stare Down Sports. You can Follow him on twitter @Jaden95Chandler
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