AFC South predictions

 We're now halfway through the AFC predictions. Up next is the AFC South. This division was really strange last year. The Texans surprisingly started out slow, but caught fire. The Jaguars took the division after shocking the league. The Colts had one of the worst collapses in NFL history. And the Titans struggled in the first year of the Cam Ward era. So what will this year bring to the table? We'll see.

1. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-7) (4 seed)

2. Tennessee Titans (9-8) (7 seed; win tiebreaker over LAC and CIN) 

3. Houston Texans (8-9)

4. Indianapolis Colts (7-10)

The Jaguars had a rough 2024, so people were expecting more of the same in 2025. The Jags shocked everyone, going 13-4 in Liam Coen's first year. Trevor Lawrence had a breakout year, and Cam Little broke the record for longest field goal in NFL history, making a 68 yard field goal in week 9. However, the Jaguars went one-and-done, losing in the first round to the Bills. Lawrence threw an interception late to lose the game. They had a quiet offseason, with no major signings, and losing Travis Etienne Jr. However, I still believe that this team is a good team. Lawrence is a good quarterback, and Coen is a good coach. I just think things need to click just like they did last year.

The Titans had a rough first season with Cam Ward at quarterback. He played fine, but it's hard to win when you have bad coaching and no real talent. Brian Callahan was fired early in the season, and the Titans named Robert Saleh the permanent coach in January. Brian Daboll was hired as offensive coordinator. The Titans spent over $265 million in free agency, and got players like Wandale Robinson and John Franklin Myers. They drafted Carnell Tate to give Ward another weapon to throw to. Honestly, it might be a little crazy to have them at 9-8, but I believe it can happen.

The Texans won their last 9 games last year and finished 12-5. They decimated the Steelers in the Wild Card round. Then in the divisional round, CJ Stroud threw 4 interceptions and the Texans lost. Questions about whether Stroud was the QB of the Texans' future were asked all around. Their off-season was about reshaping their roster, signing David Montgomery and Reed Blankenship. They also gave Will Anderson a $150 million extension. I definitely think they have a playoff-caliber defense, but I just don't believe in CJ Stroud.

The Colts had a wild season. They shocked everyone by starting off 8-2 and Daniel Jones looked like an MVP favorite. Then the wheels came off. They lost every game after that, Jones tore his ACL, and they had to lure 44-year old GRANDFATHER Philip Rivers out of retirement to play quarterback for them. Yeah, pretty crazy. Their off-season was pretty tame, re-signing Jones and Jonathan Taylor. They did add Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and Jonathan Owens. If Jones plays like he did for the first few months of last year, and Taylor keeps running the way he always has, and the defense plays well, this team could have a good year. But I just don't believe it can happen. I wouldn't be surprised if I was proven wrong.

This division is really up for grabs. I could see any of these teams winning. I definitely could see multiple teams in the playoffs again, but I just don't know. But only time will tell.

Last but not least, the AFC West. Possibly the best division in football. Mahomes, Herbert, Nix, and now Mendoza. Can't wait to predict it.