NFL 2023: AFC South Breakdown

The 2023 NFL season is around the corner, which means it’s the perfect time to take a look at how each team will potentially shape up this season. 

We continue with the AFC South.

BetMGM AFC South Best Bets: Jaguars Div Winner (-165), Texans Div Loser (-110), Dual Forecast- Jags/Titans (+115)

Indianapolis Colts

Season Recap: The 2022 Indianapolis Colts’ season was their fifth and final season under head coach Frank Reich. Another big move that happened was the team acquiring Pro-Bowler quarterback Matt Ryan in exchange for a third round pick.

After a rocky 3-5-1 start, Reich was fired from the team with former Colts offensive lineman Jeff Saturdy stepping up to be the interim head coach. Saturday helped the team win one game, but did not win anymore in the regular season. The Jaguars had a seve-game losing streak and missed the postseason for the second season.

Offseason: The Colts did not resign Yannick Ngakoue, however did sign pass rusher Samson Ebukam. They also signed wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie but lost Parriss Campell.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Houston Texans

Season Recap: This was the Titans only season under Lovie Smith after firing David Culley at the end of the 2021 season. For the first time since 2016, former Texans quarterback, Deshaun Watson was not on the roster.

The Titans had their first tie in franchise history against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 1, but slowly crumbled after that. The Texans struggled through the ceiling and were eliminated from player contention in Week 13. The team also failed to improve upon its 4-13 record from the prior season.

However, the Texans struggled as they had their worst start since 2005. Houston was eliminated from playoff contention in Week 13, marking the third consecutive year the Texans were the first team to be eliminated.^[4] The Texans failed to improve upon their 4–13 record from the previous year, and posted a 9-game losing streak from Week 7 to Week 15, their worst losing streak since 2013. They failed to win a home game in 2022, going 0–7–1 at NRG Stadium.^[5] Hours after their season-ending win against the Colts, the Texans parted ways with head coach Lovie Smith after only one season with the organization, marking the third consecutive year that the team fired its head coach.^[6]

Offseason: The Houston Texans had a busy offseason. They signed rookie Will Anderson Jr, and veterans Hassan Ridgeway, Devin Singletary and Dalton Schultz. The team made a lot of cuts but do have a good foundation for their rebuild.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Tennessee Titans

Season Recap: This was the Tennessee Titans’ fifth season under head coach Mike Vrabel. After coming out strong with a 7-3 start, the Titans fell apart late in the season. The team ended the season with a seven-game losing streak, their worst since 2015. This also means that the Titans failed to improve on their 12-5 record from the prior season. 

The team missed the playoffs for the first time since 2018 after losing to their divisional rival, the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final week of the regular season.

Issues with inconsistency and injuries haunted the TItans throughout the season, including quarterback Ryan Tannehill who missed five games. The team finished with a league-high 23 players on injured reserve.

Offseason: The Titans will figure out life without star running back Derrick Henry and safety Kevin Byard. The team also officially agreed to terms with cornerback Sean Murhpy-Bunting, linebackers Azeez Al-Shaair, Arden Key and Luke Gifford and offensive linement Andre Dillard and Daniel Brunskill.

These moves sound like the Titans are looking to reset after a disastrous last season.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Miss

Jacksonville Jaguars

Season Recap: This was the Jacksonville Jaguars first season with head coach Doug Pederson. Despite a 3-7 start, the Jaguars were able to win six of their final seven games – a five-game winning streak to with their fourth division title and second AFC South title. 

This title came after the Jaguars beat their division rival, Tennessee Titans in Week 18, punching their ticket to the playoffs.

In the Wild Card round, the Jaguars miraculously came back from a 27-0 deficit to defeat the Los Angeles Chargers, 31-30. This marked the largest comeback in franchise history and third largest in NFL history. 

The Jaguars moved on to the Kansas City Chiefs in the Divisional Round to which the Jaguars lost, 27-20.

Offseason: The Jaguars resigned safety Andrew Wingard and cornerback Tevaughn Campbell. They also have contributors in Jawaan Taylor and Arden Key. One of the biggest parts of the offseason for the Jaguars was picking up wide receiver Calvin Ridley, among other great offensive weapons.

Make/Miss the Playoffs: Make

Division Winner Prediction: Jaguars

With that being said, I predict the Jacksonville Jaguars to have the biggest leap from last to this season. I’m not confident in the Texans and I think the Colts and Titans will be stagnant. If I have to pick someone to win this division, it would be the Jaguars.