AFC South 2024 Division Preview

By: Zach Jonkman

7/16/24

This week, we will take a look at the AFC South in our fourth of eight division previews ahead of the 2024 NFL season. This division might have had the most entertaining acquisitions of them all. So let's get right into it.

Houston Texans (2023 Record: 10-7)

The Texans exploded onto the scene in the 2023 season as rookie quarterback CJ Stroud seemed way ahead of schedule. The kid didn't look like a rookie. He looked like a six-year veteran with how he was working in the pocket all year. His ability to avoid pressure and reset himself right before finding a receiver in stride for a chunk gain was impressive. The Texans found themselves in first for the division once the season ended and bought themselves a home playoff game. They beat Cleveland and worked their way to the divisional round where they unfortunately lost to the Ravens. However, Houston snagged two of the biggest names on the market this offseason when they acquired Stefon Diggs via trade and Danielle Hunter in free agency. These two will be impact players the minute they put on a uniform and prove that the Texans want to capitalize on their rookie contract window before it is too late. Hunter and second-year pass rusher Will Anderson will be a top-tier edge rusher duo while Diggs joins Tank Dell and Nico Collins to form arguably the most dangerous wide receiver room in the league. The Texans have generated a buzz around the league that tells us they feel they are ready to win now, and I think we should believe them. Stroud gets another year in the Bobby Slowik system and now has another talented weapon to give targets to while the defense adds a star pass rusher to a unit that was already underrated after the 2023 season. Don't be surprised to see the Texans in a couple of Super Bowl predictions as the season gets closer.

Jacksonville Jaguars (2023 Record: 9-8)

The Jags started the 2023 season 8-3 and then the wheels came off. Their previously strong run game was nonexistent, Calvin Ridley was invisible at times, and their defense struggled to get off the field on third down more often than not. They missed the playoffs after a rough slide in the standings and faced an offseason full of tough choices. First, they resigned star edge rusher Josh Allen. A move that was not only the right move but a necessary one. Next, they let Calvin Ridley walk and replaced him with Gabe Davis and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. They also bolstered the defensive side of the ball with surprising cut Arik Armstead, safety Darnell Savage, and corner Ronald Darby. Finally, they gave Trevor Lawrence the biggest contract in NFL history (tied with Joe Burrow) with an AAV of $55 million per year. These moves should allow Jacksonville to remain competitive amongst the AFC's best teams and maybe secure them a wild card spot in the postseason.

Indianapolis Colts (2023 Record: 9-8)

The Colts didn't make any splashy moves in free agency, but they had a very successful draft. They landed their highest-graded defender on their board in Laiatu Latu with their first pick and wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with their second. I loved these moves as they were two of my "guys" in this draft that I think will be stars at the next level. They will also be getting reinforcements at the quarterback spot with Anthony Richardson returning from his season-ending injury. The Colts won 9 games last year with a majority of them being with Gardner Minshew under center. Richardson is an immediate upgrade and has the potential to elevate this offense to another gear this year. His rushing ability is one of the best in the league and his passing ability has looked good in the limited action we saw him in. The big concern with him is his ability to stay healthy. The Colts aren't too far off the Texans in this division. We could be looking at them in a different light if Richardson didn't get hurt as early as he did. I think the Colts will give Houston a run for their money for this division.

Tennessee Titans (2023 Record: 6-11)

The Titans added quite a bit of talent in the offseason to help out second-year quarterback Will Levis. He showed a healthy amount of good tape in his limited time starting in 2023, but he does still have a ways to go as a starter in this league. Tennessee added Calvin Ridley, Lloyd Cushenberry, JC Latham, and Tony Pollard to their offense and improved their defensive back room on defense with L'Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie. In a division with receivers like Diggs, Collins, Pittman, and Brian Thomas Jr., you need to have the corners to keep up with those guys. However, the Titans lost the driving force of their offense for the better part of the last half-decade in Derrick Henry. Henry left the Titans for a stint in Baltimore to play alongside two-time MVP Lamar Jackson. I don't blame him, but the Titans could feel his absence at the beginning of the season while they try to find a new identity. The Titans will be improved in 2024, but it won't mean much because the rest of their division improved as well. This team could be a spicy 7-win team next year.

Standings Predictions

1. Houston Texans (11-6)

2. Indianapolis Colts (10-7)

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (9-8)

4. Tennessee Titans (7-10)

The Texans, Colts, and Jags all being separated by two games will make for an interesting end to the season. Any of those three teams can make a case for winning this division. The Titans won't win as much as those guys, but I wouldn't call them an easy win if you see them on your schedule. This division went from one of the more underwhelming groups in the league to one of the more underrated ones. All four teams have youth at the quarterback position and can do some immediate damage with the talent they have around them.