The AFC South is shaping up to be one of the NFL’s most unpredictable divisions this season. The Houston Texans have held the crown for years, but can they reclaim the division with the Jacksonville Jaguars’ young core not going away any time soon?
With a healthy Daniel Jones back for the Indianapolis Colts and veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen now in the fold, the Colts could make some real noise. Over in Tennessee, the arrival of Robert Saleh puts a rebuilding Titans team in a prime position to play spoiler down the stretch.
If you want to know how the AFC South will unfold, the “First Things First” group of co-hosts were all over it. On Thursday’s show, Nick Wright, Danny Parkins, and Chris Broussard broke down the AFC South. They didn’t stop at general commentary, either. The trio made their definitive predictions for how the division will shake out.
Nick Wright’s AFC South Prediction
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The Titans are entering a full rebuild under head coach Robert Saleh, but Nick Wright still sees potential for growth. With offensive additions like Carnell Tate and Wan’Dale Robinson, Wright believes a six-win season is well within reach.
“I do have them getting six wins … here’s the case for them,” Wright said. “Carnell Tate, Cam Ward take a year or two jump, and maybe Robert Saleh is actually a good head coach.”
When it comes to the expectations for the Colts, all eyes shift towards Jones and his recovery from the season-ending Achilles injury. Wright’s concerns aren’t about Jones specifically, but they’re focused squarely on head coach Shane Steichen.
After failing to meet expectations, Wright believes Steichen should be firmly on the hot seat.
“Daniel Jones [is] shortly getting back from the Achilles harm, however how cellular is he truly going to be,” Wright mentioned. Additionally, I fear about Shane Steichen, and I fear in regards to the on the spot scorching seat.”
In terms of the Jaguars, they don’t seem to be really easy to foretell. After successful 13 video games final season and successful the division, they might be a group that is not simply on the rise, however might be aggressive for years to come back.
Wright made positive to focus on the Jaguars’ younger core in quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way standout Travis Hunter.
“13 wins like final 12 months,” Wright mentioned. “There’s no method they don’t get a minimum of a bit of extra out of Travis Hunter this 12 months. They’re not going to get much less. Yr two of Trevor Lawrence and [Liam] Coen…I like that. They’ve, far-off, the very best quarterback in that division.”
The Houston Texans topped Wright’s predictions. He highlighted that the efficiency of quarterback C.J. Stroud might be a big think about Houston’s success this season.
“I believe they are going to be preventing for the No. 1 seed all 12 months,” Wright mentioned. “I believe they go 12-5. If CJ Stroud is common, they will win 11 video games. If he is above common, they will win 12 video games. If he is good, you’ll be able to argue they’re the very best group within the league.”
Chris Broussard’s AFC South Prediction
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Broussard adopted Wright’s lead in his AFC South predictions, with the Texans standing at No. 1 and the Titans on the backside. With new head coach Robert Saleh, Broussard is hoping for good issues to come back out of Saleh’s first 12 months and Ward’s second beginning season.
“I hope I am improper. I like Cam Ward. I would love to see him do one thing this 12 months,” Broussard mentioned. “I would wish to see Saleh get an actual likelihood … We’ll see, I am pulling for him.”
For the Colts’ third-place prediction, Broussard has a tough time believing that Indianapolis will not observe the identical sample this season because it did final season.
“All of us bear in mind the 8-2 begin, after which one of many worst collapses in NFL historical past. They misplaced their final seven. They misplaced their final three when Jones was wholesome. Why? As a result of they began taking part in good groups,” Broussard mentioned.
For the Jaguars at second, their run to the playoffs was spectacular, however Broussard doesn’t see back-to-back appearances.
“At No. 2, the Jags, however lacking the playoffs,” Broussard mentioned. “He was superb final 12 months. Is that who he lastly is? Or is he going to return down the curler coaster? I am not betting on a foul 12 months, however I am not anticipating an excellent 12 months.”
Because the Texans high Broussard’s record, the proficient protection is a big think about its success. Nonetheless, the expertise that Stroud brings to the offense might be one other level of focus for Broussard.
“The Houston Texans [are] successful this division. Opposite to common opinion, C.J. was common final 12 months … clearly he was banged up for a couple of video games. I anticipate a bounce again,” Broussard mentioned. “I do not know if I am ever anticipating him to be that nice top-five quarterback that we thought he was going to be.”
Danny Parkins’ AFC South Prediction
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Like Wright and Broussard, Danny Parkins positioned the Titans in final. Parkins didn’t maintain again when it got here to what the Titans season may seem like below quarterback Cam Ward.
“I would be actually anxious if I used to be a Titans fan. I like Carnell Tate, I cherished it main as much as the NFL Draft,” Parkins mentioned. “I did not see a lot of something to consider in Cam Ward. I believe they’re in competition, with the Dolphins, for the worst group within the NFL.”
Parkins switched issues up and positioned the Jaguars third. Whereas Lawrence has been by means of ups and downs in his NFL profession, Parkins is just not anticipating Lawrence to carry the identical commonplace he did in final 12 months’s 13-4 season.
“An enormous regression for the Jacksonville Jaguars,” Parkins mentioned. “I believe Trevor Lawrence can’t be trusted. Is it doable that Liam Coen unlocked it? Completely. … He did it with Baker, he did it with Trevor. However his complete profession has been a roller-coaster. Looks like we is perhaps prepared for a giant dip.”
As for Parkins’ second-place group, the Texans, the protection shouldn’t be a problem for Houston. Nonetheless, the priority lies inside Stroud on the helm of the offense.
“You’ve got the very best protection within the NFL, however defensive manufacturing 12 months over 12 months does fluctuate,” Parkins mentioned. That they had outstanding defensive well being final 12 months … I haven’t got proof that C.J. Stroud is nice.”
And sitting atop his AFC South predictions, Parkins believes the Colts will take dwelling the AFC South title. Parkins emphasised the Colts might be a harmful group within the division if Jones is again in full pressure.
“They return 4 of 5 starters on their offensive line. … I actually like their offense this 12 months … they should win by scoring,” Parkins mentioned. “So when you see the very best model of Daniel Jones for a full 12 months, I believe the Colts can win the AFC South.”
