AFC South: Why Anthony Richardson And Shane Steichen Can Win Division For Colts In 2023
By Hunter Haas
The Colts are a difficult team to project into the upcoming NFL season, but there are a few reasons to keep an eye on Indy in the AFC South. Anthony Richardson and Shane Steichen usher in a new era of football in Naptown.
The AFC South has witnessed a revolving door of winners over the past decade. While the Texans hold the most division titles in that span, the other three franchises have all won multiple crowns as well. Most recently, the Jaguars won nine games and went on to defeat the Chargers in the opening round of the postseason.
Ironically enough, the Texans are the only team from the AFC South to not make a conference championship game appearance since 2013. The Colts (2014), Jaguars (2017), and Titans (2019) all came within one game of a Super Bowl appearance, with Tennessee being the only one to do so as a wildcard.
Jacksonville is the betting favorite to win the division at this point of the offseason. Led by Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson, the Jaguars look to continue their momentum as Trevor Lawrence realizes his true potential behind center.
The Titans will likely suffer a step back in 2023 after shedding some salary and leaning into a roster retool rather than a full-on rebuild. Mike Vrabel’s squad will fight tooth and nail to remain relevant, but the team’s success hinges entirely on Derrick Henry’s health — and a massive improvement from the offensive line.
The Texans pulled off a blockbuster NFL Draft, as the front office landed a franchise signal-caller in C.J. Stroud while also trading up for the highest-rated defender in the class, Will Anderson Jr. As promising as the future is in Houston under the guidance of new head coach DeMeco Ryans, the roster is still a year away from challenging for the AFC South title.
AFC South: Why Anthony Richardson And Shane Steichen Can Win Division For Colts In 2023
That brings us to the topic of this article: The Indianapolis Colts. General manager Chris Ballard put all his eggs in the Shane Steichen basket this offseason, as he not only signed the top assistant away from Philadelphia but also invested a top-five pick on a quarterback suited perfectly for Steichen’s system.
The roster is still uber-talented, especially when healthy. From a couple of savvy signings to the typical Ballard masterclass at the 2023 NFL Draft, the Colts find themselves in an interesting position as the season approaches.
Do they have enough in Indy to return to the glory days? Or will they suffer a similar fate to the Texans as a team still one year away from being a legitimate playoff contender? Here are three reasons the Colts can win the AFC South in 2023.