In the NFL, issues transform swiftly. Just ask the AFC South.
A yr back, the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts each individual had new quarterbacks and initial-time head coaches. When the upcoming was thought of dazzling, the existing was imagined to be bleak.
Rapidly-forward one season, and the Texans are defending AFC South champs when something considerably less than a playoff visual appearance in Indianapolis would be considered a failure.
In the meantime, the Jacksonville Jaguars were being considered as Super Bowl contenders in 2023, only to drop apart just after an 8–3 get started to miss out on the playoffs. Now, will they engage in as they did early previous time right before succumbing to injuries, or are they a group about to just take a action back again?
We took a look at all 4 AFC South rosters and rated them, supplying a snapshot of what to be expecting in 2024.
1. Houston Texans
In one 12 months, the Texans went from getting a roster no one considered could earn six online games, to a group which may well contend to depict the AFC in Super Bowl LIX.
Of system, the driving pressure at the rear of Houston’s sensational turnaround is quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns to help guide the Texans to a stunning AFC South title, together with a playoff earn around the Cleveland Browns.
With Stroud less than center, Houston’s offense is one of the league’s scariest. This was only bolstered by the acquisition of All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, who joins Nico Collins and next-yr speedster Tank Dell in the receiver room.
Defensively, the Texans have Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr. hurrying off the edges with Denico Autry manning the within of their entrance. In the secondary, youth is serving with corner Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Jalen Pitre patrolling the deep conclusion.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville could have been a enormous disappointment in 2023, but the roster is still teeming with above-regular expertise.
For the Jaguars, their rebound exertion will be spearheaded by quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who past year struggled with 21 touchdowns in opposition to 14 interceptions. Lawrence, moving into his third year alongside mentor Doug Pederson, has enough weaponry close to him which include jogging back Travis Etienne Jr. restricted end Evan Engram and receivers Christian Kirk, Gabe Davis and incoming to start with-rounder Brian Thomas Jr.
On the other aspect, Jacksonville has one of the league’s better fronts, headlined by edge rusher Josh Allen and 2022 No. 1 select Travon Walker. Typical manager Trent Baalke also extra to the line with cost-free-agent signing Arik Armstead coming in excess of from the San Francisco 49ers.
The huge issue is in the secondary, where the Jaguars are relying on Tyson Campbell and Andre Cisco to prop up some query marks, together with newcomers Darnell Savage Jr. and Ronald Darby.
3. Indianapolis Colts
A great deal of the Colts’ foreseeable future will hinge on maintaining Richardson healthful.
Robert Scheer/IndyStar / United states Nowadays
So substantially of how the Colts operate out will be decided by second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson. Richardson, who was Indianapolis’s to start with-spherical decide on in 2023, only begun 4 video games right before staying shelved with a shoulder injuries.
Ahead of receiving harm, Richardson flashed dynamic expertise, accounting for seven touchdowns (together with four as a runner) even with leaving two of his 4 video games ahead of halftime.
The talent all around him isn’t star-studded, but it is appreciable. The Colts re-signed extensive receiver Michael Pittman Jr., who along with 2nd-year gentleman Josh Downs and rookie Adonai Mitchell kind an intriguing trio. The offensive line is also good, led by centre Ryan Kelly and All-Professional Quenton Nelson.
The defense is led by a entrance such as star defensive tackle DeForest Buckner and initially-spherical edge rusher Laiatu Latu, but is there enough punch in any other case? The secondary is also a worry as Kenny Moore II is a great slot corner, but the relaxation of the team has fears abound.
4. Tennessee Titans
The Titans included expertise this offseason, headlined by receiver Calvin Ridley and corner L’Jarius Sneed. There were also other notable offensive additions such as centre Lloyd Cushenberry, very first-round left tackle JC Latham and functioning back again Tony Pollard, but it however just isn’t enough to get out of the AFC South basement.
Tennessee has significant question marks alongside the offensive line irrespective of adding Latham and 2023 initially-rounder Peter Skoronski. The Titans’ proper facet stays in flux, and Will Levis underneath center is an not known, possessing thrown for eight touchdowns whilst completing 58.4% of his passes throughout 9 begins last time.
On defense, Jeffery Simmons is an elite defensive deal with but no for a longer period has Denico Autry actively playing along with him. The edges are also slim powering Harold Landry III. In the secondary, Sneed gives Tennessee a authentic top-conclude corner, but the relaxation of the device has both unsettled starters or depth problems.
Tennessee is not terrible, but it’s not a playoff crew both.
