AFC South Preview

 


We're approaching the 2024 NFL Season, so it's time to dig in and preview the action. Over a series of posts the next two months I'll be previewing the league, division by division. Teams will appear in order of finish from 2023 and I'll include my 2024 prediction. Today, it's the AFC South!

Houston Texans
2023 Finish: 10-7, First Place
About: The Texans were a wonderful story in 2023. They went from bottom of the league to the playoffs, falling in the Divisional Round. This off-season, they doubled down to move forward with C.J. Stroud. The team brought back Dalton Schultz at tight end, traded for Stefon Diggs at wide receiver and signed running back Joe Mixon. Along with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, that gives Stroud a great arsenal of weapons. The team also has a strong defense. They won't sneak up on people, but the Texans can certainly compete.
Prediction: Could this team regress? They could, but I think they'll be back strong, finishing in first place and making a deep playoff run again.

Jacksonville Jaguars
2023 Finish: 9-8, Second Place
About: After surging to the playoffs in 2022 and starting 2023 as the favorites in the AFC South, the Jaguars fell off badly down the stretch. Once 8-3, the team finished at 9-8 and slipped out of the playoffs. Trevor Lawrence got paid this off-season, while the team added veteran Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas, Jr., at receiver. Christian Kirk and Evan Engram are still there, as is running back Travis Etienne. Can the Jaguars be more consistent in 2024?
Prediction: The Jaguars will be in the mix again in 2024, and I think they win 9-10 games. I think, ultimately, they fall just short of the playoffs.

Indianapolis Colts
2023 Finish: 9-8, Third Place
About: The Colts, despite losing rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson after just four games, were in the mix to the end. The final week game against the Texans determined their fate as the team fell just short of the playoffs. Richardson should be back in 2024, as should Jonathan Taylor, who missed a chunk of the last season. 
Prediction: I think the Colts will have some growing pains and regression in 2024. That will lead to an uneven season and missing the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans
2023 Finish: 6-11, Fourth Place
About: The Titans started the season with Ryan Tannehill, but he wasn't the answer. They turned things over to Will Levis, who flashed at times. This off-season, the Titans added weapons and a new coach in Brian Callahan. All of it is designed to help Levis thrive. The Titans added Tony Pollard along with Tyjae Spears in the backfield, and added receivers Calvin Ridley and Tyler Boyd along with DeAndre Hopkins and Treylon Burks. Will it be enough for the Titans to return to the playoffs?
Prediction: This is another squad that I think will go through some growing pains. I suspect they are in the four to six win range, out of the playoffs again.

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