The countdown to the NFL season continues, and so do our betcha previews for each division. In this edition, we take a look at the AFC South, a division that has had one team sitting at the top for a while. Still, there are a few interesting teams looking to make a statement and challenge the current leaders of the AFC South this season.
Let’s get stuck in!
Houston Texans
Last Season Summary
The Texans took a bit of a step back last year compared to CJ Stroud’s rookie season, when they looked primed to become one of the most dominant forces in the NFL for the next 5 to 10 years. That said, they still had a good year, winning the AFC South with a 10–7 record and managing to dominate the Chargers in the wildcard round of the playoffs before running into the eventual Super Bowl runners-up, the Kansas City Chiefs, in the divisional round. The season featured some sophomore slump issues for CJ Stroud, as he was frequently under pressure due to poor offensive line play, while his receiving weapons were hampered by injuries. In the case of Tank Dell, it was potentially a career-defining injury. The season served as something of a reality check for the Texans and a reminder that development is not always linear, which appeared to slow their ascension last year.
Key Additions
LT Cam Robinson
SS C.J. Gardner-Johnson
WR Christian Kirk
OG Laken Tomlinson
DT Sheldon Rankins
RB Nick Chubb
WR Jayden Higgins (R)
WR Jaylin Noel (R)
OT Aireontae Ersery (R)
OC Nick Caley (Coach)
Key Losses
LT Laremy Tunsil
OG Kenyon Green
WR Stefon Diggs
SS Eric Murray
OC Bobby Slowick (Coach)
Core Players
QB CJ Stroud
WR Nico Collins
WR Jayden Higgins
RB Joe Mixon
OT Cam Robinson
Edge Will Anderson Jr.
Edge Danielle Hunter
MLB Azeez Al-Shaair
CB Derek Stingley Jr.
Season Preview
Offense: With the Texans opting to move on from Bobby Slowik after two years in the coordinator role, they will hope that the addition of Nick Caley from the Los Angeles Rams provides a new spark to an offense that seems ready to explode. Caley is the next in line from the esteemed Sean McVay coaching tree, which consistently produces some of the brightest offensive minds in the game. For Caley, his primary task will be to build a scheme around their young star quarterback, CJ Stroud, whose career hit a brief stall last season.
That setback was largely due to poor protection, as Stroud was under constant pressure, making it difficult for him to operate effectively from the pocket. Beyond Caley designing an offense tailored to Stroud’s strengths, the Texans will also need their revamped offensive line to give him the time he needs to succeed.
Nico Collins returns after a breakout season in which he established himself as a legitimate WR1. However, that’s where the proven commodities in the receiver group end. With Tank Dell recovering from a gruesome injury, there will be plenty of pressure on the Iowa State duo of Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to quickly adapt and make an impact at the NFL level.
Lastly, reestablishing a complementary run game will be a key goal. Joe Mixon showed flashes of dominance last season, and if the Texans can replicate that kind of ground production, it should help take some of the defensive focus off Stroud and allow the offense to operate more efficiently.
Defense: Head coach DeMeco Ryans specializes in defense, and his elite mind for that side of the ball was evident throughout the 2024 campaign, as the Texans were a top-five unit across the board last season. The defense will go as far as its pass rush can take it, led by edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, who form one of the scariest pass-rushing tandems in the NFL. With this duo and strong interior linemen, the Texans ranked fourth in sack percentage last year, consistently pressuring every quarterback they faced.
At the second level, the team is anchored by Azeez Al-Shaair, one of the best athletes in the middle of the field on any NFL roster. He serves as the glue of the defense, and the hope is that he can stay healthy for more than the 11 games he played last season. The team will also look to solidify his linebacker partner heading into the new year.
On the back end, they feature one of the best young corners in the league in Derek Stingley Jr., who was paid accordingly this offseason. His ball skills are outstanding, and he’s also one of the premier athletes at the position. Joining him in the secondary is C.J. Gardner-Johnson, who brings a winning mentality and a level of toughness few can match. He is paired with Jalen Pitre, who is blossoming into one of the better young safeties in the league.
Best Future Bet: Texans To Win AFC South @ $2.10
I think the biggest threat to this crown would be Liam Coen getting the Jaguars to finally click with all the talent they have at their disposal. Even then, the Texans would still be clear favorites in the AFC South, as they are the most talented and cohesive overall unit in the division. As long as C.J. Stroud stays healthy, including Houston in a division champions multi looks like a strong option.
Status: Playoff Team
Jacksonville Jaguars
Last Season Summary
Another team that struggled in 2024 was the Jacksonville Jaguars, who failed to build on their average 9-8 season from the year before. This past season, they finished with a 4-13 record, which was extremely disappointing given the talent level and the investment ownership had put into the team. They had plenty of firepower on offense, but it only resulted in a below-average unit overall. Their defense was ranked 31st in EPA per play, which is a very important metric in the NFL.
As a result, the Jaguars decided to move on from former Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson, who had failed to spark further growth in the team. Some believed his message had gone stale in the locker room. For the Jaguars, 2024 was beyond a forgettable year. Despite the high pedigree of their players, the lack of leadership and a winning mentality led to a humbling experience for the franchise.
Key Additions
OL Patrick Mekari
CB Jourdan Lewis
C Robert Hainsey
WR Dyami Brown
WR/CB Travis Hunter (R)
OL Wyatt Milum (R)
RB Bhayshul Tuten (R)
HC Liam Coen (Coach)
GM James Gladstone (Executive)
Key Losses
WR Christian Kirk
OG Brandon Scherff
WR Josh Reynolds
TE Evan Engram
WR Gabe Davis
SS Andre Cisco
HC Doug Pederson (Coach)
Core Players
QB Trevor Lawrence
WR Brian Thomas Jr.
WR/CB Travis Hunter (R)
OL Patrick Mekari
Edge Travon Walker
Edge Josh Hines-Allen
MLB Devin Lloyd
CB Tyson Campbell
Season Preview
Offense: Offense: To me, this is one of the most exciting units to keep an eye on this season. I believe they now have many of the right pieces in place, along with a coach who seems capable of getting the most out of them. Liam Coen is bringing a scheme he learned under Kevin O’Connell and later implemented with the Buccaneers. His philosophy is built on establishing a strong and efficient run game, which should open things up for Trevor Lawrence, allowing him to return to the form we saw coming out of Clemson.
To help Lawrence, the Jaguars now feature one of the most exciting pass-catching duos in the league. Brian Thomas Jr. is coming off a phenomenal rookie season and is now paired with a unique talent in Travis Hunter. Hunter is expected to focus primarily on offense while still contributing on defense, which should fit perfectly with Coen’s vision. The duo combines rare size, athleticism, ball skills, and route-running ability, posing a serious threat to any secondary on Sundays.
With these weapons on offense, the overhaul of the offensive line will be crucial to the success of Coen’s system in Jacksonville. The team has added two veterans in free agency who should offer starting-caliber play, while also banking on the continued development of players like Anton Harrison, who appears to be moving in the right direction. If the line can perform at an above-average level and give the skill players a solid platform, this could easily become a top-12 unit in the league this season.
Defense: On the defensive side of the ball, this team was nothing short of a disaster in 2024. The man tasked with turning things around is new Defensive Coordinator Anthony Campanile, who joins Liam Coen as another fresh face leading the franchise. At his disposal, he has an athletically gifted pass-rushing duo in former first overall pick Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. These two are crucial to the success of the defense, especially considering the team was among the worst in the league at rushing the passer last season. Up the middle, second-year player Maason Smith will look to generate interior pressure to help free up the edge rushers.
In the secondary, the Jaguars landed the top defensive back in the draft in Travis Hunter, who possesses generational ball skills and a rare understanding of the position thanks to his elite versatility. However, it has been suggested that he may only be used in sub-packages, which means the bulk of the coverage duties will fall to players like Tyson Campbell and new signing Jourdan Lewis.
How this unit responds to the change in leadership and the infusion of new talent could ultimately determine how far the team can go when the season tightens in the final stretch.
Best Future Bet: Trevor Lawrence 4000+ Passing yards @ $2.70
Coen was able to get a former failed first overall pick to throw for 4,500 yards last season under his guidance. Trevor Lawrence, who has already shown he can produce at the NFL level, and with Hunter and Robinson as his top two receiving options, I could easily see him surpassing the 4,000-yard mark this season.
Status: Playoff Hopeful
Indianapolis Colts
Last Season Summary
The Colts seem to be one of those teams that, no matter how dysfunctional they appear, always manage to eke out a few wins and finish with a respectable record by the end of the season. The 2024 version of the Colts followed that trend, beginning the year with second-year athletic phenom Anthony Richardson running the offense.
Despite his incredible physical tools, Richardson struggled to perform at the level expected of an NFL quarterback. At one point, he even asked to come out of a game because he was tired, which is something you rarely see from anyone at that position. Although he returned and posted a winning record as a starter, his play was underwhelming. He looked more like a high-level athlete trying to play quarterback than a true professional at the position.
Even though the Colts were able to grind out some wins thanks to a solid run game and an above-average defense, inconsistent quarterback play ultimately held them back from earning a wild card spot.
Key Additions
QB Daniel Jones
CB Charvarius Ward
TE Tyler Warren (R)
Edge JT Tuimoloau (R)
CB Justin Walley (R)
HC Liam Coen (Coach)
GM James Gladstone (Executive)
Key Losses
QB Joe Flacco
OG Will Fries
C Ryan Kelly
LB E.J. Speed
S Julian Blackmon
Core Players
QB Anthony Richardson Sr.
WR Josh Downs
RB Jonathan Taylor
TE Tyler Warren (R)
OL Quenton Nelson
DL DeForest Buckner
DL Kwity Paye
MLB Zaire Franklin
CB Charvarius Ward
Season Preview
Offense: The Colts’ offense will center around the growth of third-year quarterback Anthony Richardson, both mentally and physically. Although they brought in former Giants first-round pick and starting QB Daniel Jones, it seems likely that the investment the Colts made in the Florida product just two years ago will keep Richardson as the starter on opening day.
The biggest strength for Richardson is the support he has in the run game and the trenches. The Colts have one of the best running backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor. While he has struggled with injuries in recent years, he has shown the ability to carry the offense when fully healthy. Up front, Indianapolis features one of the top offensive lines in football, led by All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson. Although the team lost two starters from last season, they still have left tackle Bernhard Raimann, whose development has been encouraging.
For the Colts this season, building a top-10 run game around Taylor and Richardson will be crucial to the offense becoming a reliable unit.
The rest of the skill position group will also need to take a step forward to help Richardson develop into a true franchise quarterback. His top two receiving targets are the ever-reliable Michael Pittman Jr. and Josh Downs, who is steadily emerging as a strong NFL wideout. The Colts also have depth on the outside with Alec Pierce, a true deep threat, and they’ll be hoping A.D. Mitchell can live up to his draft hype. Their biggest offensive investment came in the form of first-round pick Tyler Warren, who fell to them at No. 14. He brings an unorthodox skill set that combines athleticism with strong yards-after-catch ability and has been praised as a natural football player.
That said, none of this will matter if Richardson cannot take the next step as a signal caller. This offense will only go as far as he can take it.
Defense: Last season, the Colts were a solid unit overall, finishing 13th in EPA per play, which is a more than respectable ranking. However, a deeper look into other defensive metrics paints a different picture, suggesting they were below average in key areas. This raises several questions about the defense heading into the 2025 season.
The Colts made one major change on that side of the ball by hiring former Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, a highly respected name throughout his time in that role. Anarumo will aim to maintain the effectiveness of the run defense, which ranked as a top-10 unit last season. The bigger concern, however, was the pass defense, which struggled consistently and led to the team giving up far too many points.
Fixing that issue will require improvements at multiple levels. The Colts must activate a pass rush that has been largely dormant, as doing so would help relieve pressure on a secondary that has underperformed in recent years. This offseason, the team looked to improve in both areas. They’re hoping for a significant leap from Liatu Latu, their first-round pick from last year, while also addressing the secondary by signing former All-Pro cornerback Charvarius Ward, one of the most sought-after free agents on the market.
Even with these moves, it’s still unclear whether the Colts will be able to make a meaningful improvement against the pass. That will be the key to unlocking the full potential of not only the defense, but the team as a whole heading into the season.
Best Future Bet: Jonathan Taylor Under 9.5 Rushing Touchdowns @ $1.75
Now, I don’t want to predict or wish injury on any player, but Taylor does have some injury history that could limit his production. In addition to that, I think his opportunities in the deep red zone might also take a hit with Anthony Richardson in the fold. Richardson could be used as a short-yardage option near the goal line, potentially taking some touchdown chances away from Taylor.
Status: Playoff Hopeful
Tennessee Titans
Last Season Summary
After spending massive amounts of money in free agency and hiring Bengals offensive coordinator Brian Callahan as head coach, the Titans ended up with a season that saw them earn the first overall pick. In other words, their 2024 campaign was essentially a write-off, as they managed just three wins. There were a few decent individual performances scattered throughout the roster, but when your two quarterbacks combine for 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions, it’s unlikely your season will end on a high note.
To make matters worse, the defense was below average and provided little to no support for the offense. You could argue that in 2024, the Titans were let down across the board, especially by a complementary unit that failed to keep them competitive. That lack of balance was a key factor in their struggles.
Key Additions
OT Dan Moore Jr.
WR Tyler Lockett
S Xavier Woods
QB Cameron Ward (R)
WR Chimere Dike (R)
Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo (R)
S Kevin Winston Jr. (R)
GM Mike Borgonzi (Executive)
Key Losses
QB Mason Rudolph
WR Tyler Boyd
OG Dillon Radunz
Edge Harold Landry
CB Chidobe Awuzie
Core Players
QB Cameron Ward (R)
WR Calvin Ridley
RB Jonathan Taylor
OT JC Latham
OT Dan Moore Jr.
DL Jeffery Simmons
CB L’Jarius Sneed
Season Preview
Offense: This entire offensive unit will revolve around first overall pick Cam Ward out of Miami. Despite being taken at the top of the draft, Ward is far from a sure thing as he begins his NFL career. The good news is that he’ll be working with a head coach who was part of Joe Burrow’s development, which should be seen as a positive influence. While Burrow is already one of the league’s elite quarterbacks, the calm demeanor that both he and Ward bring to the position feels strikingly similar. Ward will likely experience some typical rookie struggles, but his tools and mindset are undeniable.
Ward will also benefit from having a few veteran receivers to help ease his transition to the pro level. Calvin Ridley is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and Tyler Lockett was brought in as a dependable target who can work the middle of the field. The Titans also added two intriguing prospects in the draft: Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, both of whom the team hopes can stick and contribute at the next level.
In the backfield, the duo of Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears has the potential to be an exciting one-two punch, with Spears possibly emerging as the lead back. The success of the run game however, will hinge on how well the revamped offensive line comes together. Big-money free agents Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler were brought in to provide stability alongside back-to-back first-round picks JC Latham and Peter Skoronski. If that group can gel and perform at a reasonable level, the Titans could field a functional offense that ranks somewhere around the top 20 to 22 in the league.
Defense: As mentioned, this was a fairly unexciting unit last season, which could be attributed to a significant lack of talent across all three levels of the defense. The clear leader is defensive lineman Jeffery Simmons, who is a strong NFL player, but he has been largely left to carry the load on his own. The defensive line offers little help from the edge, and even with a second-round pick invested in that area, there are still no reliable options when it comes to generating pressure.
This trend continues at the second level, where the team lost Kenneth Murray Jr. and replaced him with Cody Barton. While Barton is a serviceable player, this move is far from impactful.
In the secondary, the return of L’Jarius Sneed should provide a boost. He missed 12 games last season due to injury after the Titans made a significant investment by trading a third-round pick to the Chiefs and signing him to a sizable contract. Xavier Woods was another key addition and could prove to be a sneaky good signing for the back end.
Even with these moves, it’s hard to see the defense making major strides in production. The most realistic path to improvement might come from the offense doing a better job of sustaining drives and keeping the defense off the field, allowing them to stay fresher throughout games.
Best Future Bet: Calvin Ridley 1000+ Receiving Yards @ $1.90
Ridley will be aiming for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, and having Cam Ward under center, who is a better quarterback than Will Levis or Mason Rudolph, should only boost the veteran’s chances of reaching that mark again.