The AFC South has plenty of storylines to keep you entertained for the 2021 season. Will Watson play a full season? Will Lawrence be everything he was hyped up to be, or will the team around him fail? Will the Titans be as dominant without Arthur Smith? Can Wentz be the man in Indy?
Houston Texans
Offense Overview: Watson is the talk of the town but for reasons that will not be discussed here today. That being said, it seems like Watson will be the starting quarterback. This is ideal for the Texans considering he led the league in passing for 2020 with 4,823 yards. The Texans have pretty good depth at running back with David Johnson, Mark Ingram, and Phillip Lindsay. The receiving core isn’t the same without Hopkins. Brandin Cooks is the highlight guy and I expect to see big things from Nico Collins. Laremy Tunsil is by far the best player on the offensive line which doesn’t open many eyes. The offense doesn’t blow me away but with Watson commanding the offense, high scoring isn’t out of the question.
Defense Overview: Losing J.J. Watt is heartbreaking. He was the soul of not only the defense but the team as well. With the hiring of Lovie Smith, the trusted 4-3 defense will be installed. This will give Charles Omenihu a chance to break out in a big way. The linebacker core can hold its own with league-leading tackler Zach Cunningham commanding the front seven. The secondary isn’t fantastic but the addition of Desmond King should help.
Overall Assessment: Even with Deshaun Watson, this Texans team is no more than a 5 win team on paper. A first-year head coach and a quarterback who might be out of the league at any point, doesn’t get me excited. Projected Finish: 3-14, 4th in the AFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Offense Overview: Jaguars struck gold with the #1 overall pick and the opportunity to draft Trevor Lawrence. They did not screw it up. I think we all expect big things from Lawrence this year. After drafting Etienne this past year, it leaves James Robinson out of the loop after tallying 1,414 scrimmage yards as an undrafted rookie. I still expect him to share the rock with Etienne during the season. They have good receiving options in Laviska Shenault, D.J. Chark, Marvin Jones Jr., and Phillip Dorsett, but they still need a proven tight end for Lawrence. After giving up 44 sacks last season, the same 5 offensive linemen are back plus second-round tackle Walker Little. Hopefully, Urban Meyer can get the best out of that unit.
Defense Overview: The defensive line looks like more of a hybrid under Joe Cullen. This means Josh Allen and K’Lavon Chaisson might end up playing outside linebacker in a 3-4. That being said, Myles Jack will have an increased workload at MLB after Joe Schobert was traded to the Steelers. The secondary looks solid with C.J. Henderson and Shaquill Griffin at CB1 and CB2.
Overall Assessment: While this team has made significant improvements, this team isn’t ready to contend yet. However, if they can keep this core together and improve as the years go on, the Jaguars could be a force like they were in 2017. Projected Finish: 6-11. 3rd in the AFC South.
Tennessee Titans
Offense Overview: Tannehill might have made a case for himself as a top 10 quarterback after his last 2 seasons on the Titans. Last season he put up 3,819 with 33 TDs and 7 INTs. A big reason why he was able to succeed was the fact that Derrick Henry ran for over 2,000 yards. At 27, the mileage could catch up to him. As for receiving, A.J. Brown is establishing as a top receiver in the league and is paired with an already established talent in Julio Jones. The loss of Jonnu Smith and Corey Davis does sting a little. Hopefully, Anthony Firkser can attempt to replicate some of Smith’s success. The offensive line is a solid mid-tier unit with the addition of Dillion Randunz from the draft. If that unit was able to help Henry and Tannehill to fantastic seasons, they may be able to do it again, or did the luck run out?
Defense Overview: This defensive line isn’t too much to brag about. Jeff Simmons will have to carry the load and that is if he can have a big year. Harold Landry and Bud Dupree make up the outside linebackers in the 3-4 and will have to make a considerable contribution. Kevin Byard is a great free safety but he is the only man that returned from their secondary in 2020. Janoris Jenkins and Caleb Farley will have big shoes to fill, after being brought in to replace Adoree’ Jackson and Malcolm Butler.
Overall Assessment: I think the Titans are due for a step back. They lost key pieces on defense, especially in the secondary. I think Bud Dupree was a product of Pittsburgh’s elite scheme and they lost their offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to the Falcons. The AFC has some good competition this year and I feel like the Titans may be left out of the loop. Projected Finish: 9-8, 2nd in the AFC South.
Indianapolis Colts
Offense Overview: The Colts made their move after Phillip Rivers retired acquiring Carson Wentz from the Eagles. Wentz and head coach Frank Reich will reunite as they look to replicate the success he had during his 2017 run. Injuries are already a concern for Wentz but he returned to the practice field already. Jonathan Taylor has proved himself as a workhorse back after last year’s impressive rookie campaign. The receiving core is solid. Michael Pittman Jr. is looking to have a big year along with tight end Jack Doyle. The offensive line is one the best units in the NFL highlighted by Quenton Nelson. Even though he is hurt, this unit is still solid but losing Nelson is a big blow.
Defense Overview: DeForest Buckner was worth the 1st round pick they gave up. He led the team in sacks and QB hits proving to be a menace in the trenches. They also have solid depth to go alongside Buckner including Kwity Paye, Tyquan Lewis, and Grover Stewart. Darius Leonard leads a fast and strong linebacking core. Leonard had 132 tackles last season including 76 solo tackles. The secondary can hold his own with Xavier Rhodes returning. He may not be the All-Pro he was a few years ago with Minnesota but he plays his role. Kenny Moore II might be the best nickel corner in the league while the safety tandem is serviceable with Julian Blackmon and Khari Willis roaming the secondary.
Overall Assessment: As long the injury bug doesn’t hit this Colts team, I feel like they have a chance to take this division. This team doesn’t have a mind-blowing core across the board but they have enough to be a solid football team top to bottom. Projected Finish: 10-7, 1st in the AFC South.
The CloudZeroSports Team Division Predictions:
Stephen’s Pick: Colts The Colts and Titans had the same record last year both going 11-5. This year, I feel like the Titans lost too many key pieces to win the division, especially on defense. If the Colts stay healthy, I think this is their division for the taking.
Dante’s Pick: Titans The Tennessee Titans will win the division. Tennessee has only gotten stronger on offense. Adding Julio to a star-studded cast already, Ryan Tannehill has an arsenal of weapons at his disposal. Since being in Tennessee he has turned his career around and I look for him to lead this team to a division title. Their defense will improve with the signing of Bud Dupree and I just believe with how they played last year Coach Vrabel will not let that happen this year. Drafting an aggressive corner in Caleb Farley and having a guy like Janoris Jenkins to learn from this secondary will be much improved.
Puggy’s Pick: Colts Should there really be a discussion about who’s winning this division? Isn’t it clearly the Colts? Assuming that the Colts are healthy come the regular season, the Colts have only gotten better since last season. During this past offseason, they were able to bolster both sides of their team. With the additions of Kwity Paye and Malik Jefferson on the defensive side, the Colts were able to strengthen both their linebacking core and a defensive line that was already strong. On the offensive side, they were able to acquire Eric Fisher to bolster their already ferocious offensive line as well as replace the newly retired Phillip Rivers with Carson Wentz. On the other hand, the Colts still have to deal with the reigning division winner, the Tennessee Titans. While the Titans’ defense may have regressed, they still have an intimidating offense that could impose a major threat to any team’s defense this season.
Zach’s Pick: Titans Hands down, it’s got to be the Titans, right? Derrick Henry is a total monster and if Ryan Tannehill performs just like last season they are a lock for the AFC South. Not to mention they’ve gained Julio Jones to help out. On the other hand, their defense is a bit left to be desired but the offensive side will wreak havoc in the AFC South. I do think the Jaguars and Colts respectively might have something to say with Trevor Lawrence most likely becoming the starter and if Carson Wentz stays healthy, but otherwise, it’s all Tennessee.
Ryan’s Pick: Titans My pick for the AFC South division would be the Tennessee Titans. The offense on this team is the strongest in the division. While I feel strongly about this pick, their defense lacks. The team that might challenge them would be the Indianapolis Colts, especially after acquiring Carson Wentz. While Carson Wentz is a very solid quarterback, it is worth noting that he tends to be injury-prone, hence supporting my pick of the Titans winning the division.
Micky’s Pick: Titans The division features the Houston Texans, whose best player wants out. The Jacksonville Jaguars, who are rebuilding. The Indianapolis Colts, who are solid competition but now must deal with a potential Carson Wentz injury. Then there is the Tennessee Titans who made it to the AFC Championship game two years ago and only got better with the acquisition of Julio Jones. With the Colts already having major injuries towards their quarterback and arguably their best lineman, the Titans are looking like the clear-cut division winners on paper.
Dustin’s Pick: Colts My pick is the Colts. The addition of Carson Wentz is huge if he can stay healthy. He is a good upgrade over Phillip Rivers and is reunited with Frank Reich. The Colts may not have won the division last year but they retained more pieces than the Titans.
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