COLUMBUS, Ohio — The AFC South might get a reputation as the worst division in football. But there is still some talent and intrigue as the season gets underway. Every team has something, whether it be high expectations, a prized offseason acquisition, or an exciting rookie quarterback. Needless to say, this might be a more entertaining division than expected.
Four Burning Questions
1. Are the Jaguars for Real? I’m going to say yes. Why? Because they have the quarterback. Trevor Lawrence last year showed why he was the number one overall pick in 2021. They also now have the head coach in Doug Pederson. What they did last year is sustainable.
2. Tennessee is going to struggle and/or decline this season. Or will they? Tennessee is one of the most interesting teams in the NFL. It looked like there were going to decline heavily this season, before they signed DeAndre Hopkins in free agency. They still have Derrick Henry, Ryan Tannehill, Jeffery Simmons and head coach Mike Vrabel, who always seems to get his teams to play above their potential. So if you still think Tennessee is going to decline, think again.
3. How much improved will the Texans be? I actually think they will be an improved team. I like what’s going on down in the Space City. C.J. Stroud has great potential, and he has a competent offense to run. Plus, Will Anderson Jr. is going to be a monster on the defensive side of the ball. I think DeMeco Ryans is going to turn this franchise around. We may not see immediate results this year, but we will eventually in future years.
4. Are the Colts even a relevant team? I’ll say this: Anthony Richardson is an exciting prospect. He could be the sole reason why the Colts are even somewhat relevant this season.
Top 6 Players
25. Derrick Henry – Running Back, Tennessee Titans (1,538 yds, 13 TD, selected to 3rd Pro Bowl)
Even as the Titans lost their last seven games last season, Henry finished strong with four straight 100-yard rushing games to close the season. Henry finished with nine 100-yard rushing games, and is showing no signs of slowing down going into year eight of his career.
58. Jeffery Simmons – Defensive Tackle, Tennessee Titans (25 solo TKL, 7.5 sacks, FF, 7 PD, 2nd Team All Pro, selected to 2nd Pro Bowl)
Simmons is becoming a menace on a strong Titans defensive line.
71. DeForest Buckner – Defensive Tackle, Indianapolis Colts (44 solo TKL, 8 sacks, 2 FF, FR, 3 PD)
Buckner hasn’t touched his career high of 12 sacks in 2018, but he has still produced at a quality level since coming over to the Colts in 2019. He is the anchor of the Colts defensive line.
85. Laremy Tunsil – Offensive Tackle, Houston Texans (selected to 3rd Pro Bowl)
Tunsil has developed into one of the core pieces on Houston’s offense.
90. DeAndre Hopkins – Wide Receiver, Tennessee Titans (64 rec., 717 yds, 3 TD)
There was a time you could view Hopkins as a top 10 receiver in the NFL. He had multiple seasons topping 1,500 yards and three more with 10+ touchdowns. Now, I’m wondering if he will be able to recapture that level of play in his first year in Nashville.
96. Trevor Lawrence – Quarterback, Jacksonville Jaguars (4,113 yds, 25 TD, 1st Pro Bowl selection)
All I’m going to say is he will be ranked a lot higher in these rankings next season. He is getting better seemingly every game week, has a great head coach in Doug Pederson and has a strong, and getting stronger, receiving corps.
Division Matchups
1. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Indianapolis Colts – Week 1 (1 p.m. on FOX)
2. Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans – Week 2 (1 p.m. on FOX)
3. Houston Texans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Week 3 (1 p.m. on FOX)
4. Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts – Week 5 (1 p.m. on CBS)
5. Indianapolis Colts @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Week 6 (1 p.m. on CBS)
6. Tennessee Titans @ Jacksonville Jaguars – Week 11 (1 p.m. on CBS)
7. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Houston Texans – Week 12 (1 p.m. on CBS)
8. Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans – Week 13 (1 p.m. on CBS)
9. Houston Texans @ Tennessee Titans – Week 15 (1 p.m. on CBS)
10. Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans – Week 17 (1 p.m. on FOX)
11. Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts – Week 18 (TBD)
12. Jacksonville Jaguars @ Tennessee Titans – Week 18 (TBD)
Breakdown: 0 prime time games, 0 nationally televised games
Overall: 5 prime time games, 9 nationally televised games
Jaguars: 3 prime time games (5 nationally televised games); Titans: 2 (3); Texans: 0 (0); Colts: 0 (1)
Marquee Non-Divisional Games
Jaguars: Week 13 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
This will be the Jaguars first Monday Night home game in 12 years, and it comes against a formidable Bengals team. Win this game, and you have a shot to run down Kansas City in the AFC. More importantly, the Jaguars would become serious contenders.
Titans: Week 14 @ Miami Dolphins (Monday Night Football, 8:15 p.m. on ESPN)
If the Titans want any chance of making the Playoffs, this is a game they got to have. This game will be a clash of styles: the Titans ultra-physicality against the Dolphins speed and finesse.
Texans: Week 4 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. on CBS)
This will be a huge measuring stick, and it’s a home game. If the Texans can hang with Pittsburgh, that will show much-needed signs of growth. Also worth mentioning: J.J. Watt will be inducted into the Texas Ring of Honor during halftime of this game.
Colts: Week 7 vs. Cleveland (1 p.m. on CBS)
First off, the Colts play four division games in the first six weeks. But being able to beat Cleveland will be a huge win outside of the AFC South.
Head Coaches
Jaguars: Doug Pederson (2nd season, 9-8; prev. HC for Philadelphia Eagles from 2016-2020)
He is the quarterback whisperer. He’s gotten Lawrence on the right path and now seems poised to take the Jaguars to another level this season.
Titans: Mike Vrabel (6th season, 48-34; prev. Def. Coord. for Houston Texans in 2017)
Vrabel is an old-school head coach. He has his shortcomings, but he’s also made the Titans a very relevant and tough team to play against. The biggest compliment I can pay Vrabel is he has established a culture in Nashville. The Titans know exactly the kind of team they are.
Texans: DeMeco Ryans (1st season; prev. Def. Coord. for San Francisco 49ers from 2021-2022)
It’s a homecoming for Ryans, who played six seasons in Houston and was a part of their first playoff team in 2011.
Colts: Shane Steichen (1st season; prev. Off. Coord. for Philadelphia Eagles from 2021-2022)
At least he’s an offensive-minded head coach, which is what the Colts need. But how much is he going to be able to do with all of the Colts issues is a major question.
Quarterbacks
Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence (3rd season, Clemson)
It’s not quite like Joe Burrow, but you can see that he’s starting to live up to the hype he created in college and, eventually, the number one overall pick in 2021.
Titans: Ryan Tannehill (12th season, Texas A&M)
I’m interested in seeing how he does coming off an injury-plagued season in 2022. In addition, I want to see him fend off Malik Willis and Will Levis.
Texans: C.J. Stroud (1st season, Ohio State)
Why does Stroud remind me of Joe Burrow? He’s very accurate. That’s a big thing for a rookie quarterback.
Colts: Anthony Richardson (1st season, Florida)
Despite only playing 13 games, Richardson brings a lot of excitement to the Colts.
Final Analysis
This is the Jaguars division to lose. But there is some talent in this division outside of Jacksonville. And as far as the Jaguars are concerned, how prepared will they be for the Playoffs coming out of this division? If they can beat Kansas City or Cincinnati, then they will be contenders. Otherwise, given the low-quality of this division, they may end up just another team in the Playoffs with a tough draw in the Wild Card round.
Let me be Frank and Cut to the Chase 