By Kenny Burgess Contributor
Updated 8/3/23 2:28pm ET
The AFC South was one of the weakest divisions in the NFL last year and it could very well be again this season. The Jacksonville Jaguars had a nice season and made it to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. The Jags are the favorites in this division once again and are expected to be a threat in the AFC. The Tennessee Titans are in a bit of limbo and their season could go many different ways. After making the playoffs the previous three seasons, the Titans missed the playoffs last season. With their veteran roster, this could be the Titans’ last chance with this core. The Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans both had rough seasons and are in rebuilding mode. A lot of the focus on these teams this season will be centered around how their rookie quarterbacks perform.
Jacksonville Jaguars (2022 Record: 9-8)
The Jaguars won their final five games last season and surprisingly won the AFC South. Last season was Doug Pederson’s first season as the Jaguars head coach and the team looked awesome after the Urban Meyer debacle the year prior. Trevor Lawrence was fantastic last year, throwing for 4,114 yards and 25 touchdowns while throwing only eight interceptions. Jacksonville’s offense carried them, and it was inside of the top ten for both yards and points per game last season. The Jaguars also acquired wide receiver Calin Ridley, who should make them even more potent for this upcoming season.
Jacksonville is the favorite to win the division next year at -155 and has a win total set at 9.5. After winning a playoff game last year, Jacksonville has even higher expectations this season. If the Jaguars want to make it further in the playoffs, they’ll need to build on the momentum from last season, which should be more than manageable in this division.
Tennessee Titans (2022 Record: 7-10)
Tennessee went into last season as the odds-on favorite to win this division, but ended up falling on its face. Tennessee returns a lot of the same veterans and is looking to rebound. This division is very much up for grabs if the Titans can return to form. Tennessee was in the bottom five for scoring offense last season and is hoping some healthy key additions can help that. The Titans added All-Pro receiver Deandre Hopkins and are hoping he can help their passing game. Derrick Henry returns and if he is healthy, he should add a lot to their offense as well.
The Titans are the second favorites to win this division (+310) and their win total is at 7.5. If the Titans can return to the form they had in previous years and prove that last season was a one-off, they could challenge for the division title.
Indianapolis Colts (2022 Record: 4-12-1)
The Colts were not good last year and only finished with four wins. That left the Colts with the fourth overall pick in the draft and took quarterback Anthony Richardson from the University of Florida. Richardson is the team’s highest pick since Andrew Luck and the Colts are hoping he is anything like Luck. Richardson had a big arm and some of the best athletic attributes ever seen from a prospect. The Colts won’t be a threat this season, but the organization will be mostly concerned with Richardson’s play.
The Colts’ odds for the division are at +550 and their win total is at 6.5. Running back Jonathan Taylor’s return to the team could be a big factor. Taylor is one of the league’s best running backs and he would help the Colts a lot.
Houston Texans (2022 Record: 3-13-1)
Last year was a season to forget for the Texans as they had the second-worst record in the NFL. With the second overall pick in the draft, the Texans selected Ohio State Quarterback C.J. Stroud. Houston is hoping that Stroud is the answer under center. While the team might not be great this season, the franchise will just be looking for signs that Stroud is progressing.
Houston’s odds of winning the division are at +1000 and their win total is at 6.5. It will be head coach DeMeco Ryan’s first season and if the Texans are even close to that win total, it will be seen as a success.
*All odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
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