2019 NFL predictions: How will the AFC shake out?
AFC South
- Indianapolis Colts 13-3
- Houston Texans: 11-5
- Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10
- Tennessee Titans 5-11
The Colts are one of the most all-around teams in the NFL right now, they have some of the best young talents on the offensive and defensive lines. Andrew Luck’s health will determine how far this team can go, as he always seems to be dealing with something.
That being said, Jacoby Brissett is a very good number two quarterback who can come in and play well if Luck misses time. I believe this team could make a run for the Super Bowl with a healthy Luck, young talented roster and a coach who has Super Bowl experience.
Houston’s run game has gotten better with the acquisition of Duke Johnson from Cleveland, to pair along with Lamar Miller. The Texans have one of the best younger quarterbacks in the league in Deshaun Watson and have a trio of talented wide receivers for him to throw to. The Texans’ issue that still remains is their offensive line, which gave up the most sacks in the NFL last season.
Newly acquired 2019 NFL draft picks Tytus Howard and Max Scharping will need to step up to the task early on to help this offensive line. The Texans started out slowly last NFL season and finished the year off strong. Look for this team to start hot out the gate this year and could be a legitimate playoff contender.
The Jaguars are a difficult team to predict in the AFC South. Their big move was signing former Super Bowl MVP Nick Foles to a four-year deal to replace former first-round quarterback Blake Bortles. Although quarterback play was an issue on this team last year, there are still many holes on this roster since being removed from the AFC Championship game back in 2017.
Leonard Fournette needs to step it up this year and the Jags lack a true number one receiver, so Foles will have his work cut out for him. The defense is still one of the better units in the league with cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey leading them. I have a tough time seeing them making the playoffs this year unless Foles comes in and plays near-perfect football.
The Titans have to find out if Marcus Mariota is their quarterback for the future going into the last year of his contract. Injury concerns have plagued him for most of his four-year career, but he hasn’t been bad when he’s been on the field. The Titans feel like the odd team out in this division, with the three teams ahead of them getting better in the offseason. The Titans did add Rodger Saffold who should boost the offensive line for a team that relies on running the ball frequently.