Absolutely Way-Too-Early 2019 NFL Predictions: AFC South
Houston Texans
Pros
Having key players healthy for the whole season. QB Deshaun Watson proved to be a franchise player who can carry an offense. RB Lamar Miller didn't have a fantastic year, so Watson's ability to run the ball and move around the pocket really helped this offense shine. WR DeAndre Hopkins had a normal year for his already high standards, which I don't think many Texans fans will complain about. The biggest impact on this season for Houston was their defense returning to form. DE JJ Watt was arguably one of the defensive players of the year, only losing Comeback Player of the Year to fellow AFC South Player QB Andrew Luck. Fellow defensive stars like OLB Jadeveon Clowney and S Tyrann Mathieu help the Texans bolster one of the best defenses in the league. At least that was said on paper...
Cons
Inability to win in playoff games. In 2018, they faced fellow AFC South rivals Indianapolis and lost to the better team. Everything that made their offense great went away and they were practically useless until the fourth quarter. Watson threw the only touchdown for Houston to WR Keke Coutee, who was one of the only players for the Texans that played well. Their defense was average in the second half, but could not stop the Colts the half before. They may struggle to bring important keys back in free agency and could fall back into past trends.
Indianapolis Colts
Pros
Taking on the underdog role. Going into the past season, many analysts had the Indianapolis Colts at the bottom of their power rankings and barely winning any games. The Colts went on this season to win ten regular season games and make their way into the playoffs since 2014. The key components of their excellent offense was RB Marlon Mack and QB Andrew Luck. Mack came out of nowhere to most fans and was one of the great backs in the league. Luck was awarded Comeback Player of the Year after an extraordinary performance in 2018. It doesn't hurt when you have the Defensive ROTY in Darius Leonard.
Cons
Reinforcements. Their star players were consistent and helped them stay in contention for the majority of their games, but the lack of support didn't let them finish games. For instance in their Divisional Round loss to Kansas City, the Chiefs OL just double teamed the necessary players on defense, and QB Patrick Mahomes could just do what he wanted. The core of this team can lead it to a division Championship in 2019, they just need more around their key players to really give them a chance to reach the AFC Championship or even the Super Bowl.
Tennessee Titans
Pros
Overall consistency. Over the last three seasons, they have been 9-7 each season and made the playoffs in 2017. They are in a difficult division, but I believe 2019 might be their year to return to the playoffs for the second time since 2008. QB Marcus Mariota has slowly been developing into a quality quarterback, and it helps when he has a RB who can literally carry a team. Time after time RB Derrick Henry proved that he deserved to be an NFL running back, and Tennessee are lucky to have him. He will only get better in the next few years and could launch the Titans into a division title. The unnoticed thing in Tennessee is their defense, who really deserves credit for being ranked 3rd in the NFL in points allowed and 8th on yards allowed.
Cons
The offense is not keeping up with the defense. I know I was just clamoring about how great pieces like Mariota and Henry, but that is when every other piece on offense is also working. It seems that when even one offensive-lineman has a less than average day, the whole offense tanks and fails to score anything. They can't just rely on their defense to win games. The front office may want to shop around in free agency for either WRs or offensive lineman to truly strengthen the squad.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Pros
The defense was still quality most of the time. They would have their off games, but the Jacksonville defense really had some great games. Their defense ranked 4th in scoring and 5th in yards. CB Jalen Ramsey was still still spectacular, but may be turning too much unwanted attention his way. Also, having the #7 overall pick in this years draft in April could fix a major issue with the offense. If I was in the Jacksonville front office, I would think that QB Blake Bortles time in Florida may be done, and a QB like Dwayne Haskins from Ohio State, or Kyler Murray from Oklahoma could renovate the offense to new heights.
Cons
The whole offense. First, their offense couldn't score at all, being 31st in the league in scoring. And it is at least clear to me that Bortles is not the future of Jacksonville. He turns the ball over to many times and just cannot make key throws. His vision of defensive coverages has not improved like some thought it would. RB Leonard Fournette was injured for parts of the year that made their offense even more one-dimensional. I would say that they could trade for QB Nick Foles from Philadelphia, but I don't even know if they have enough assets to send to the Eagles to make it worth it. You had your one good year Jaguars fan, now it may be another seven year wait for another .500 season.
Prediction:
1. Houston Texans
2. Tennessee Titans
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
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