AFC South Preview

I don’t know if it’s the colors, the logos, or the fact that half of these franchises are younger than me, but the AFC South has long been the rut of the league in my eyes.

No pop. No history. Very little success. This division is more known for 9-7 winners than postseason success.

But times may be changing. This division is loaded with young QBs, some of which have shown glimpses of success beyond which their teams have ever seen. This division has gone from the nosebleeds to backstage. Let’s see if they’ll perform under the lights.

Houston Texans

All my instincts tell me to pump the brakes on the overhyped player and team. Naturally that’s what I do. But this team LOADED up around their cheap, star QB, beyond the reasonable doubt of an everyday hater. So call me captain of the Texans bandwagon cause I’m in.

Steph Diggs is the obvious addition. Whether Diggs can still be a true number 1 guy is a futile question, since he has enough talent around him that he doesn’t need to be. Tank Dell is the third option. Nico Collins just signed a nice contract, and I’d like to again offer an apology for scoffing at him being a number one receiver before last season. Dalton Schultz is one of my favorite and most underrated TEs in football, and is option 4?? Insane. Swinging Joe Mixon replaced Devin Singletary in the backfield, and while the debate can be had about how much of an upgrade that is, the fact that it is an upgrade can’t be.

Danielle Hunter, who I thought was 40 but I guess is only 29, was the defensive splash signing. But other additions like Azeez Al-Shaair coming off a monster year in Tennessee to pair with Will Anderson and Christian Harris will have DeMeco Ryans spinning like a third grader who just got her first kiss on the cheek.

I know the splash teams that trade and sign a lot of guys don’t typically match their hype with success unless their QB is Tom Brady, but a lot of the core of this team is similar. The splash pieces they added aren’t there to fill a void, but rather enhance a well-oiled machine.

It’s hard to find a way to not love this team. If their schedule wasn’t so tough I’d like them even more. Record: 10-7

Indianapolis Colts

This team kind of fascinates me. Anthony Richardson is back after they wildly overachieved my personal and I’d guess most people’s expectations last season under the mustached hillbilly’s regime.

I was on the AR15 overhyped and overdrafted train, but he played well last year when he did. His physical attributes translate to the NFL, and I think he’ll make one of the most blah teams in the league one of the more exciting to watch if he stays on the field. Adding cool Joe Flacco to the QB room was a great developmental move as well.

Michael Pittman is the second coming of Mike Evans, and yes it’s partially cause they look alike. It’s also because he’s one of the quietest and under talked about great WRs in the league. He was a monster for Gardner last year, and is a security blanket, 50/50 turned 70/30 guy that AR can rely on if/when he plays hero ball in the backfield.

JT is still there, but at what level is TBD. He couldn’t take the full workload away from Zack Moss last season after his injury, and while all credit goes to Zack Moss, this is the same Zack Moss that’s losing his starting job in Cincy to Chase Brown as we speak.

I think it’ll be hard to match the magic the Colts had last year. But Shane Steichan proved he’s an offensive wizard, so I wouldn’t be too surprised if he waves his wand and makes AR and the Colts dance to another playoff berth.

I would be a little surprised though. Again, their schedule is so tough. Record: 8-9

Jacksonville Jaguars

As a Clemson Tiger, Trevor holds a place near and dear in my heart. He will in some ways always be my QB (especially since my real QB is a potential serial sex offender who is difficult to claim these days).

But when it comes to football, personal feelings need to be set aside.

He’s overrated. I don’t think he is, I know he is.

The best game of his career was the Alabama emasculation when he was 19 years old. He’s yet to prove himself as a consistent top tier QB. We thought he was fixed after Dougie P saved him from Urban Meyer, but last year regressed to the mean. 25 total TDs and 17 turnovers is not tier 1 stats, but not abnormal for him. Way too many turnovers.

It’s not that I think he can’t be good or that I’m rooting against him, but it’s mind blowing to me he got $275 million. In no way does he deserve that, and if it were another franchise other the Jags I’m not sure he would’ve got it.

This franchise is dying for a franchise QB, and they’re willing to extend the leash on the most promising one they’ve had in their history in hopes of finding one. And it’s hard to blame them for that. Just don’t tell me he deserves top three QB in the league money.

The WR room is deep despite having no “stars”. Travis Etienne is the best player on their offense, and as I said last year is much better at his position than Trevor is at his.

They have the ability to be a very good team. We’ve seen glimpses of what they can be at their best. The question is will they be consistent enough to make a run. My answer is an astounding no. Record: 7-10

Tennessee Titans

With Vrabel gone, the Titans no longer feel like the Titans. They were one of the few teams in the league where the coach was the identity, and no matter the talent or lack there of on the roster, you knew what you’d get.

Not only is the coach gone, but the roster underwent a Caitlin Jenner-like transition this offseason. The face of the franchise was replaced by Tony Pollard, who mightily struggled in his lone season as a bell cow in Dallas. They added Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd to join Nuke Hopkins and form a very potent receiver room. They signed and traded for an entire new secondary, added Kenneth Murray as a mic LB, and a few draft picks are expected to start. If a free agent left your team, they probably went to the Titans.

They’re projected to have 12 new starters according to their current depth chart. Rarely does that level of turnover work.

They’re trying to win, which as a fanbase you can respect and get excited about. But not much about Will Levis gets me excited. I love the psycho in him. But psychosis doesn’t translate to team success. Ask AB.

I think Levis is still developing, and it will take some time for all those new pieces to fit together. In the next year or two we may be looking at the Titans in an entirely different light. But this year I feel pretty confident in my expectations. Record: 6-11