KYE continues with the AFC South. Teams with actual talent unlike the NFC South.
Houston Texans 10-7
The Texans were the best team in the South in 2023 and won the division under first year head coach DeMeco Ryans by one game. Texans won a wild card game against the Browns but lost to the Ravens in the divisional round. CJ Stroud had a great rookie year at QB with 4,108 yards 23 TDs and 5 interceptions under OC Bobby Slowik. Nico Collins (1,297 yards and 8 TDs) and slot WR Tank Dell (709 yards and 7 TDs in 11 games) were surprise improvements at WR once Stroud was slinging it. Texans doubled down and traded for Stefon Diggs to add to the group from Buffalo. Dalton Schultz was a great add in 2023 (635 yards and 5 TDs) The Texans run game got a boost adding Joe Mixon from the Bengals. Throw in a strong offensive line with Laremy Tunsil at LT, Kenyon Green (2022 1st rounder) at LG, Juice Scruggs (2023 2nd rounder) at center, Shaq Mason at RG from Tampa and Tytus Howard (2019 1st rounder). Texans offense should be improved with Diggs and Mixon added to the 13th ranked PPG offense.
Texans defense got a boost under Demeco Ryans to 11th PPG defense. The defense has some good pieces in 1st round pick from 2023 in Will Anderson, added Danielle Hunter from the Vikings. Production from Henry To’o To’o at Linebacker, Christian Harris on the weak side and Azeez Al-Shaiir at the MIKE from the Titans. Folorunso Fatukasi is the big man in the middle at NT and Denico Autry is a veteran DT as well. The Texans front 7 led by Anderson is strong and now adds Hunter for a dangerous pass rush.
The Texans secondary is led by 2022 1st rounder Derek Stingley at CB1, 2024 2nd round rookie Kamari Lassiter and veteran Desmond King in the slot. Jalen Pitre stepped up at SS and Jimmie Ward was added from the 49ers. The Texans secondary should have solid coverage with this good and a good pass rush. They were also 6th best in YPG rush defense in 2023. It won’t be an easy game for anyone in the North.
Houston hosts the Bears on Sunday Night Football in Week 2 and the Lions on Sunday Night Football in Week 10. The Texans travel to the Vikings in Week 3 and the Packers in Week 7 for 1 PM ET starts. Houston, we have a problem, the Texans might beat you.
Indianapolis Colts 9-8
The Colts continue to be a solid team under Shane Steichen. Rookie Anthony Richardson (87.3 rating in 5 games) was injured most of the year but showed some big time flashes as a passer and runner in his rookie year at QB. The Colts hope he stays healthy and they take the next step up with him. Former Lions OC Jim Bob Cooter is their OC. Richardson will continue to have Michael Pittman (1,152 yards and 5 TDS) as a weapon. Adonai Mitchell was drafted in Round 2 of the draft and Josh Downs is developing in year 2 in the slot. Jelamni Woods is the top TE with 4th round rookie Tanor Bortolini. The offensive line has some big pieces in stud LG Quentin Nelson and stud center Ryan Kelly. The Colts hope LT Bernhard Raimann improves with RG Will Fries and vet RT Braden Smith. Seems to be an average line but Richardson rushing should help. Jonathan Taylor (741 yards at 4.4 YPC in 10 games) is still a good workhorse back that can produce a lot with Trey Sermon backing him up. Taylor had an injured year and looks to bounce back.
DC Gus Bradley leads the defense which took a step back in 2023 but has major pieces. Kwity Paye is a 2021 1st round pick that needs to take that next step and the Colts added 1st round pick Laiatu Latu from UCLA. DeForest Buckner is the veteran game wrecker at DT and Grover Stewart is a solid NT. Samson Ebukam from the 49ers is the other rusher. The Colts might may have a pass rush if Paye and Latu help Buckner.
Zaire Franklin and EJ Speed are average Linebackers.
In the secondary, Ju Ju Brents (2023 2nd rounder) and Jaylon Jones seem lackluster with vet Kenny Moore in the slot. Julian Blackmon and Nick Cross are the safeties. I can’t see this defense being that good. They will need to run the ball and win with shootouts under Richardson.
The Colts go to Green Bay in Week 2 and to the Vikings in Week 9. Indianapolis hosts the Bears in Week 3 and the Lions in Week 12. All games are 1 ET. Everyone should beat the Colts unless they allow Richardson to go off.
Jacksonville Jaguars 9-8
The Jaguars are coming off a down average year after being a playoff team. Trevor Lawrence got a big pay day and can be a very good QB but only had a 88.5 QB rating (4,016 yards 21 TDs and 14 ints) in 2023. Jacksonville had an average offense and average defense in 2023 and missed the playoffs with Doug Pederson (HC) and Press Taylor (OC). Travis Etienne is a good back with 1,008 yards and 11 TDS. Calvin Ridley is gone from the team though after over 1,000 yards. Christian Kirk (787 yards and 3 TDs) remains in the slot looking to rebound in 2024. Evan Engram (963 yards and 4 TDs) emerged as a bigger weapon at TE. Lawrence will have new weapons in Gabe Davis from Buffalo and 1st round pick Brian Thomas from LSU.
Cam Robinson is a solid LT, Ezra Cleveland was added at LG from the Vikings, Mitch Morse added at center from Buffalo, Brandon Scherff the main stay at RG and 2023 1st round pick Anton Harrison at RT. Jacksonville has enough talent on the offense line but the chemistry with Davis and Thomas will be key for Lawrence.
On defense, DC Ryan Nielsen leads the team. Travon Walker they are hoping finally becomes the elite EDGE they were looking for when they drafted him 1st overall in 2022 (over Hutchinson). Arik Armstead was a low key big addition from the 49ers at DT. Roy Robertson Harris is the other vet DT. Josh Allen got big money and is an elite EDGE.
At linebacker, 2022 1st rounder Devin Lloyd needs to take the next step and Foyesead Olokun needs to live up to his big contract.
The Jaguars secondary is their weakness with Ronald Darby, Tyson Campbell as solid corners and Campbell just got paid. Antonio Johnson and Andre Cisco at safety with new comer from the Packers Darnell Savage manning the nickel now. The Jaguars can be beat through the air but can hold their own if Walker, Armstead and Allen are wreaking havoc up front.
Jacksonville play the Bears in England in Week 6 and travel to the Lions in Week 11. Jacksonville hosts the Packers in Week 8 and the Vikings in Week 10. Don’t sleep on them but don’t worry to much.
Tennessee Titans 6-11
The Titans got a new HC in former Bengals OC Brian Callahan replacing Donny bar mate Mike Vrabel. Dennard Wilson is the new DC and the OC is Nick Holz. The Titans disappointed in 2023 but are still a decent team. Will Levis showed flashes at QB as a rookie in 2023 but ended with only 84.2 QB rating. Derrick Henry is gone to Baltimore so that is another huge change. Tony Pollard was added from Dallas and Tyjae Spears looks to play more in year 2. (4.5 YPC on 100 carries). It’s a nice one-two tandem but still no Henry.
The Titans added big team to their receiving core though to help Levis. Calvin Ridley joins the WR group led by DeAndre Hopkins (1,057 yards and 7 TDs). Tyler Boyd also added from the Bengals in the slot. Treylon Burks (2022 1st rounder) now becomes the 4th WR. This is a very good veteran WR group.
On the offensive line, the Titans added too with 1st round pick LT JC Latham. 2023 1st round pick Peter Skoronski remains at LG. Lloyd Cushenberry added at center from Denver. Saadiq Charles the veteran RG and Nicholas Petit Friere is a solid RT. The Titans offensive line should be improved in run blocking and pass protection from a very poor offense in 2023.
The Titans defense was average 16th PPG defense in 2023. They added NT T’Vondre Sweat in Round 2 to play next to stud Jeffery Simmons. Sebastion Joseph-Day is the vet 3-4 DE. The pass rush is led by Harold Landry and Arden Key. Linebacker Kenneth Murray added from the Chargers and Jack Gibbens is lackluster.
The secondary got an overhaul with Chidobe Awuzie added from the Bengals to join LJarius Sneed from the Chiefs. Roger McCreary is the young 2022 2nd round slot man. At safety, Amani Hooker has been good and Jamal Adams was added from Seattle. Caleb Farley is oft injured but a 1st round 2021 pick on the bench. The Titans have some good coverage in the secondary with the new additions galore. However, Landry, Sweat, and Key must step up with pass rush to help Simmons.
The Titans made a overall with a new offensive head coach. Interesting times in Nashville. The Titans travel to the Bears in Week 1 and to Detroit in Week 8. The Titans host the Packers in Week 3 and the Vikings in Week 11. This is another team not to sleep on but not worry too much.
The South is interesting with 3 teams over .500 in 2023. The Titans made an overhaul too to their team. AFC South is truly a wild card division.