1. Jacksonville Jaguars– What a year they had. As usual, many had them finishing in the basement of their division once again, but that wasn’t the case in 2017 as they won the AFC South for the first time since all the divisions were realigned in 2002, made the playoffs for the first time since 2007 and were a game away from the Super Bowl. They were able to win games behind Blake Bortles who had the best year of his career, the running of Leonard Fournette who had an immediate impact and a defense that was the best in the league. As the 2018 season approaches, I think they are ready to show that they weren’t a one year wonder and they are here to stay. Bortles was rewarded with a contract extension, Fournette is back and that defense returns just about everybody from last season. They are still in a good position to win games and get back to the playoffs.
2. Tennessee Titans– This was my pick to win the division last year, but they fell short and were a wild card team instead. They were a very inconsistent football team at times because one week, Marcus Mariota looked like the guy he was at Oregon and then the following week, he’s turning the ball over left and right. When they got to the playoffs, they erased an 18 point lead and defeated the Kansas City Chiefs. They decided to part ways with head coach Mike Munchak and they hired former Patriots linebacker, Mike Vrabel as their new head coach. The Titans were also a busy team in the off-season. They decided to release DeMarco Murray and they signed former Patriots Dion Lewis and Malcolm Butler to free agent contracts in March. For the Titans to be on their A-game, Mariota must play better and take care of the football.
3. Houston Texans– Let me break this down and say this the best way that I can: If Deshaun Watson isn’t on the field for the Texans last season, they don’t win a football game, plain and simple. If he doesn’t go down, the Texans are probably AFC South champions once again. Injuries really affected them. In the same game, they lost Whitney Mercilius and J.J. Watt to season-ending injuries and a few weeks later, Watson tears his ACL in practice. Getting back to playing the football they know they can play is the top priority for the Texans and the big question that everyone will ask is can Watson pick up where he left off before his season came to a shocking end? The offense was heading in the right direction and Deandre Hopkins has blossomed into a star wide receiver. The defense will look to return back to its elite form. It’ll definitely be an interesting year in Houston.
4. Indianapolis Colts– The franchise has definitely hit a bump in the road as they have missed the playoffs the last three seasons. There have been way too many issues surrounding this team as of late from the offensive line struggling, the lack of a running game, the defense playing poorly and Andrew Luck struggling to stay healthy. There’s a new guy to lead the Colts now. The team fired Chuck Pagano and hired former quarterback Frank Reich as its new coach and I really like this hire because he can help get Andrew Luck back to where he was. The million dollar question in Indianapolis is will Luck be ready for week one after missing the entire 2017 season?
2018 Prediction
1. Jaguars (11-5)
2. Texans (10-6)
3. Titans (7-9)
4. Colts (5-11)
I really think the AFC South will be one of the more interesting divisions because you think of all its storylines. Deshaun Watson will be back for the Texans, the Titans are looking to build off of last season, the potential return of Andrew Luck and the Jaguars who are the kings of the division right now. I like Jacksonville to win the South once again. The defense will continue to play at an elite level, Fournette will be Fournette and Bortles got paid, now it’s time to play. He has to come out firing on all cylinders.
