The Jacksonville Jaguars glance to repeat as AFC South Champions this yr. It is time to continue on our NFL odds sequence with an AFC South Champion prediction and decide on.
Last 12 months it all arrived down to the final video game of the season. The Tennessee Titans entered with a 7-9 document on the calendar year and had by now misplaced to Jacksonville. The Jaguars ended up 8-8, but the winner was going to get the division based on tiebreakers. Tennessee had a 10- guide in the next, and 13-7 at half. They held the guide going into the fourth as nicely, foremost 16-10. Jacksonville would include a discipline aim. Then Josh Allen would return a fumble 37 yards to the home to give Jacksonville their to start with lead of the match, which they would maintain on to to acquire the division.
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans were being two of the worst teams in the league. The Colts would end on a 7-sport losing streak to finish their yr 4-12-1. The Texans would win the previous sport of the period to expense on their own the major choose in the draft. They would continue to get their guy with the second choose in the draft, with C.J. Stroud staying the new quarterback.
Right here are the AFC South NFL odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
NFL Odds: AFC South Winner
Jacksonville Jaguars: -155
Tennessee Titans: +310
Indianapolis Colts: +550
Houston Texans: +1000
*View NFL game titles Live with fuboTV (click for a free demo)*
Why The Jacksonville Jaguars Will Win the AFC South
The Jaguars search to repeat as division champions for the initially time. Due to the fact the division was fashioned in 2002, the Jaguars are the only group in the AFC South not to repeat as division champions. They have frequently received the division in franchise record nevertheless. They gained the AFC Central in 1998 and 1999. The 1999 year was distinctive. They went 14-2 losing just 2 times, each to the Tennessee Titans. This year is all about Trevor Lawrence. He threw for 4,113 with 25 touches and just 8 interceptions. Right after a rough very first half of the season, he took off down the extend throwing for 2,273 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two picks in his previous 9 games.
For our 2023 NFL daring predictions, hear beneath:
If the Jaguars are going to win the division, they have to be better on defense while. They have been 24th in yards for every game very last year against, and 28th against the pass past calendar year. Tyson Campbell was one of their draft picks last year to support the secondary, and the crew returns Josh Allen, Devin Lloyd, and Foyesade Oluokun at linebacker. There nonetheless desires to be far more of a thrust to get to the quarterback. They had just 35 sacks all of previous yr, and this year, 2nd-yr player Travon Walker requirements to step up there. If the defense can strengthen just a minor, with this offense led by Lawrence and Travis Ettienne, they will acquire 10 online games this calendar year, which should get them a title.
Why The Tennessee Titans Will Win the AFC South
Derrick Herny is the emphasis of this offense. For the Titans to get this year, a several major things require to transpire. Initially Derrick Henry desires to be healthier all yr. He went for 1,538 yards and 13 scores previous year. Nevertheless, his 349 carries had been the second most of his career, and he is coming off his 2nd-worst yards for every carry period since having about as the primary again in 2018. If he can not be over 300 carries once more, it will be really hard for the Titans. To support him out while, the Titans have to have to have a superior passing match.
Tannehill played just 12 online games past yr, throwing for 2,536 yards and 13 touchdowns. With his 6 interceptions, he experienced his worst QBR due to the fact his times in Miami. Tannehill requirements to turn back again the clock to 2020, exactly where he threw for a occupation-large in yards and touchdowns though getting his finest touchdown to interception ratio. The support has to commence with DeAndre Hopkins. He has not played a complete year due to the fact 20202, but that calendar year he went for 1,407 yards and six scores. If he can play 15-16 online games, it gives Tannehill a reputable threat.
The defense also requires to action up in the passing recreation. This was the worst passing defense in the NFL past 12 months. They did endeavor to handle that in the offseason by no cost agency, but they did not do something in the draft to fill holes. So it will be up to returning veterans to make an effect this calendar year.
Why The Indianapolis Colts Will Get the AFC South
Past year was a disaster for the Colts. Matt Ryan showed his age and was benched twice. Sam Ehlinger and Nick Holes have been not any much better. Jeff Saturday finished up coaching the workforce, and went 1-7, including dropping the premier comeback in NFL history. Now Shane Steichen comes in. He brings with him the selection 4 decide on in the draft Anthony Richardson. Richardson is going to be the starter and delivers a new dimension to the offense. The Colts have not had a cellular quarterback in a extensive time, with Andrew Luck staying the most cellular in current record. Richardson enhanced nearly every video game in his 13 starts off in university, and if he continues that ascent, he will be equipped to direct them to a promising history.
Nevertheless, there are two significant thoughts on this team. Very first is Jonathan Taylor. Taylor will be out the initially four video games of the period, which means Deon Jackson will most probable get the start off. Continue to, with four further online games of rest, if he can arrive back and make an effect, they will with any luck , have gotten by the rising pains of Richardson and can earn video games. Second, is Shaquille Leonard. He was 1 of the prime defensive players in the NFL, and then he played just 3 video games very last year. He has experienced a 2nd back surgery and was gradual in those online games. If he can make a bounce back again however the protection will be sound.
Why The Houston Texans Will Get the AFC South
This is a prolonged shot for a reason. The Texans were negative last year, and are clearly in a rebuild. They finished up buying and selling to get the third select in the draft as perfectly, so the staff will be led on both equally sides of the ball by rookies. CJ Stroud would have to be just about excellent in his rookie yr, and Will Anderson would have to make an quick affect. DeMeco Ryans will get his to start with probability to be an NFL head mentor this calendar year. It would be a compact wonder for them to earn the division, but with a weak division, it is achievable.
Final AFC South Champion Prediction & Choose
The select below arrives concerning the Titans and the Jaguars. With the Colts and Texans evidently in a rebuild, it will be just one of individuals two groups to gain the division. The Titans will be sound below Mike Vrabel. The Titans will enter 7 days 18 at household from the Jaguars with eight wins. The Jaguars will also be 8-8. It will be one more winner-acquire-all activity, and this time, the Titans get it.
Last AFC South Champion Prediction & Pick: Tennessee Titans (+310)