2018 NFL Preview: The AFC South

AFC South
Andrew Luck and the Colts may have a tough time finding success in the AFC South in 2018. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Projected AFC South End-of-Season Standings

1 Houston Texans

2 Jacksonville Jaguars

3 Tennessee Titans

4 Indianapolis Colts

Some football pundits have argued that if Deshaun Watson comes back at full strength, his mobility could mitigate the damages done by a weak offensive line. There might be some truth to that, but still, you’d rather have a better offensive line here. The defense has elite-level potential, but the offense could struggle. Especially if the line can’t open some running lanes late in games. The Texans are a candidate to the team that leads throughout games but has trouble locking it up late because they can’t milk the clock.

It’s really hard for a defense to stay as good as the Jaguars was last season. To their credit, much of the defensive skill position players are young, and that’s in their favor. But offensively Jacksonville went through a bit of a wide receiver exodus in watching Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns leave in free agency. Especially considering the QB situation here, the passing game may struggle. And in today’s NFL, if you can’t stretch the field vertically you’ll struggle to win games.

Last season Tennessee made the playoffs behind a dominant defense and thanks to a pretty weak division. Defense can be harder to predict year in/year out and any sort of step back on that side of the ball will tank this team’s season. 

The Andrew Luck injury situation offered a built-in excuse as to why the Colts have struggled so mightily the past couple of seasons. That’s not to say Luck being out of the lineup didn’t negatively affect Indy. However, the microscope was so closely put on Luck even as he didn’t play that it sort of gets lost that this is a bad team regardless of who plays quarterback.

QB Watch (Because It’s the Most Important Position)

Houston: Deshaun Watson has a little bit of everything you’d want out of a modern-day quarterback. But does he have his health? And can the offensive line keep him that way?

Jacksonville: To everyone outside the Jaguars organization, common sense says they should move away from Blake Bortles. It seems like the team feels the opposite. At least for now. Bortles needs to limit his mistakes this year. Too many interceptions led to wins becoming losses for the Jags in the past.

Marcus Mariota is a really nice player but is still more of a playmaker than passer. Granted, the Titans have struggled to put quality wide receivers around Mariota. They could struggle to push the ball down the field. And that’s a huge concern.

Indianapolis: Andrew Luck should (finally) be back. Can he stay healthy? How far can he take this team practically by himself?

Non-QB Positions/Plater to Watch

Houston: In the past, JJ Watt has been one of the most dominant defensive players the game has ever seen. Can he get back to that status post-injury?

Jacksonville: Jalen Ramsey is the most fun cornerback to watch since Deion Sanders. Whether you tolerate the smack talk or not, he could be a year or so away from entering the “Best Player Regardless of Position” conversation. It can be hard to truly appreciate a great cornerback. Ramsey is one, so make the effort.

Tennessee: How explosive can the offense be here? Getting the right combination of running backs and receivers will go a long way towards getting there.

Indianapolis: How hard will the defense make life for the offense? What can the defense do in regards to getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks and/or force turnovers?

Crazy-Wild Scenario

Andrew Luck puts up an otherworldly performance and launches the Colts into the playoffs.

Related Topics

Ryan lives in Wisconsin. He was raised on a steady diet of whole milk, cheese, sports, WWF/WWE wrestling, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

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