We simply cannot wait for the new NFL season to start, and we are counting down the days until the very first kick off. If you are like us and love the NFL, then you definitely need to have a read on below, as we take a look at each and every team from the AFC South and analyze their chances for success in this brand new season.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans opened the 2021 season with an exciting home win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. But the taste of victory was short-lived as first-year head coach David Culley’s squad lost its next eight games. Although the Texans pulled off upsets over the Tennessee Titans and Los Angeles Chargers, the team finished the season with a 4-13 record.
Houston fired Culley in January and promoted defensive coordinator Lovie Smith to head coach in February. The Texans should improve on their four-win total from last season, but the development of second-year quarterback Davis Mills will determine how much Houston closes the gap to have a winning record.
A revamped offensive front that includes free agents A.J. Cann and Justin Britt, along with 15th overall pick Kenyon Green, could help former Indianapolis Colts running back Marlon Mack duplicate his 2019 season when he rushed for 1,091 yards and nine scores. The Texans’ inability to run the ball last year was a major reason the offense scored nine or fewer points on seven different occasions.
1️⃣2️⃣… more… days…
🎟 » https://t.co/kgdikP3qpy pic.twitter.com/LmsjohqC3f
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 30, 2022
Veteran wideout Brandin Cooks has averaged 85 catches, 1,090 yards, and six touchdowns over the past two seasons. The loss of rookie receiver John Metchie, who was diagnosed with leukemia, was a huge setback. Rookie running back Dameon Pierce is also a capable receiver who could have a third-down role.
The Texans upgraded one of the league’s worst secondaries with two high draft picks, LSU cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and Baylor safety Jalen Pitre. Houston also inked free agent cornerback Steven Nelson.
Middle linebacker Christian Kirksey will be joined by third-round pick Christian Harris, free agent defensive end Rasheem Green, and third-year edge rusher Rasheem Green will look to revitalize a pass rush that ranked near the bottom of the league a year ago. The Texans are still not a .500 team, but a roster stocked with young talent is inching closer to becoming a respectable squad.
Indianapolis Colts
The 2021 Indianapolis Colts were arguably the most talented team that did not qualify for the postseason last year. The Colts finished the season with a 9-8 mark but lost a pair of overtime contests, and dropped two games by a field goal. Indianapolis was also upset by the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars in the regular season finale.
A squad that featured seven Pro Bowl players replaced quarterback Carson Wentz with long-time Atlanta Falcon Matt Ryan. The Colts also added a few key free agents and will challenge the Tennessee Titans for supremacy in the AFC South this season.
Ryan will direct an offense that features running back Jonathan Taylor, the reigning NFL rushing champion who posted a whopping 1,811 yards last season. Third-year wideout Michael Pittman Jr. has developed into an elite pass catcher with 88 catches during his sophomore campaign.
Tight Ends or Transformers 😂 pic.twitter.com/a6TXi9Moe1
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) August 30, 2022
Third-down back Nyheim Hines is another pass catcher that was under-utilized a year ago, and receiver Parris Campbell and tight end Mo Alie-Cox are also in the mix for significant targets. Fifth-year head coach Frank Reich has enough offensive weapons to compete for the AFC South title this season.
The Colts added former NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore and edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue to a defensive unit that already featured Pro Bowl linebacker Darius Leonard and Pro Bowl tackle DeForest Buckner.
New defensive coordinator Gus Bradley will direct a strong defensive unit that could propel Indianapolis into the hunt for the Vince Lombardi trophy. The Colts are a solid team on both sides of the ball and are a legitimate contender for the AFC South crown this year.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars stumbled out of the gate in 2021 with five consecutive losses and finished the season with a 3-14 record. The Urban Meyer era lasted less than one season as the former Ohio State head coach was fired after just 13 games.
New head coach Doug Pederson, who led the Philadelphia Eagles to a win in the 2017 Super Bowl, takes over a squad that has won just four games over the past two seasons. The Jaguars have nowhere to go but up and should be a much-improved team in 2022. A favorable schedule could help Jacksonville compete for 6-7 wins this upcoming season.
Second-year quarterback Trevor Lawrence should benefit from Pederson calling plays this year, and Jacksonville added former Arizona Cardinals receiver Christian Kirk to be a vertical threat. Free agent pass catchers Evan Engram and Zay Jones join Marvin Jones Jr. and Laviska Shenault Jr. in a deep receiving corps.
“A player that’s proven to be a leader.”
GM Trent Baalke on Arden Key. pic.twitter.com/FdJ6ScvKnp
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) August 30, 2022
Second-year running back Travis Etienne Jr. will return after missing his rookie campaign with a foot injury. The Jaguars have upgraded one of the league’s worst offensive fronts and could have an offense that can move the ball on the ground and in the air. If Lawrence takes a step forward this season and showcases the skills that made him the top overall pick last year, the Jaguars will become a respected team again.
Jacksonville added a pair of playmakers in the draft, Georgia edge rusher Travon Walker and Utah linebacker Devin Lloyd, who will instantly upgrade a mediocre defensive unit. Veteran pass rusher Josh Allen, free agent linebacker Foye Oluokun, and third-round pick Chad Muma will also be counted on to make plays and slow down opposing offenses.
The defense should be better this season, but that’s not saying too much. The Jaguars will be competitive this year and that is a good start for a franchise that has struggled mightily over the past few seasons.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans enjoyed another successful regular season in 2021 and captured their second consecutive AFC South title. However, the Titans also suffered their third straight playoff loss in as many seasons. Tennessee went all in during the offseason to upgrade a roster that was the AFC top-seeded team heading into the playoffs. Although Indianapolis will challenge the Titans for the AFC South top spot, Tennessee remains the favorite to claim its third consecutive division title.
The Titans drafted Liberty dual-threat quarterback Malik Willis in the third round despite re-signing incumbent signal-caller Ryan Tannehill to a $118 million in 2020. Tannehill will be the starter but will be without his top receiver, A.J. Brown, who was traded to Philadelphia. Arkansas rookie wideout Treylon Burks was selected with the 18th overall pick to replace Brown.
Former Los Angeles Rams wideout Robert Woods, third-year receiver Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and rookie Kyle Philips will form a talented receiving group. Tennessee’s offense will revolve around running back Derrick Henry and for good reason. The seven-year veteran missed nine games last season and still managed to post 937 yards and 10 touchdowns.
.@malikwillis wowed this preseason. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/7963VOwwdV
— NFL (@NFL) August 30, 2022
Tennessee will once again field a stout defense with an array of playmakers. The defensive front is anchored by interior linemen Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry. Edge rushers Harold Landry III and Bud Dupree are both capable of recording double-digit sack totals.
The secondary featuring safety Kevin Byard and last year’s top pick Caleb Farley could be elite if Farley can stay healthy. The Titans have a squad built to win and after three lackluster playoff outings, Tennessee is a hungry team with a chip on its shoulders.
When the 2022 NFL season does eventually kick off, make sure SportsTips is your go-to destination for NFL picks. We will provide NFL picks for each and every game of the season from our experts, so you can place your bets with more confidence!
