Lunchtime Snack - AFC South Prediction
Today we turn our attention to the AFC South. A division that for many years was dominated by the Indianapolis Colts has recently become a much more close fought affair. Last year it was the turn of the Jacksonville Jaguars to take home the AFC South crown after the Houston Texans had won the previous two. The Jaguars look poised to retain their crown however key players returning from injuries across the league will have something to say about that.
Any team in the NFL would suffer from losing a player like Whitney Mercilus, and team in the NFL would suffer from losing a player like Deshaun Watson and any team in the NFL would suffer from losing a player like JJ Watt. For the Houston Texans, they had to suffer with losing all 3 of these stars last season, as well as other contributors like C.J. Fiedorowicz and Christian Covington. Now injuries are part and parcel of the NFL and a team can never pin its failures on injuries, it is a team sport after all, but losing a hall of fame calibre DE and a franchise QB in the same season will drastically impact any teams chances. The Texans finished just 4-12 after having to turn to 3rd choice Quarterback T.J Yates to end the season. With all those players returning, Bill O'Brien will know that anything short of a playoff return will likely cost him his job.
The Texans weren't the only 4-12 team last season in the AFC South. The luckless Colts could barely buy a win. Chuck Pagano's final season didn't go as planned for the colts in no small part down to the lack of Luck, Andrew Luck. Luck wasn't to blame for all of the Colts struggles however, the 30th ranked defence did little to help Jacoby Brissett and the Colts offense, a unit which ranked 31st. All signs point to Andrew Luck returning to the Colts this season but just how much can he alone do to turn around the fortunes of the Franchise?
Perhaps the Tennessee Titans can dethrone the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2018? The Titans were the quintessential middle of the road team in 2017. Ranking 19th in offense and 17th in defense, Mike Mularkey's Titans scraped into the playoffs with a 9-7 record. The Titans didn't pull up any trees on offense last season and only 3 players caught more than 1 touchdown pass, with Rishard Matthews leading the team with 4. The only eye catching offensive moments for the Titans last year were the breakout of Derrick Henry and Marcus Mariota throwing a touchdown to himself. How have the Titans addressed these issues? Well they haven't exactly. They failed to strengthen at wide receiver via free agency or the draft however they have added the dynamic Dion Lewis who is more than capable both rushing and catching the ball. It's unlikely that this will be enough for the Titans to return to the playoffs with the return to form of the Texans and Colts.
As for Jacksonville, it looks promising for the Jags to retain their crown. Bortles was massively improved last year but he will be without both Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson. Marquise Lee returns and he has a couple of new weapons alongside him in Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Donte Moncrief. Improvements were also made to the offensive line in Jacksonville by adding all pro guard Andrew Norwell. There's no reasons why Fournette can't continue to operate at an elite level and that bodes well for another successful season. As for the defense which was ranked second in the league last year, no major changes could potentially result in improvement as this unit will get a second season together as one.
Final Standings:
Jacksonville Jaguars 10-5-1
Houston Texans 8-7-1
Tennessee Titans 7-9
Indianaplis Colts 6-10
