The AFC South will soon be known as the toughest division in football. Possibly as soon as next season. This former laughing stock of a division will soon be considered a great one.
Overall this division is ripe with talent. If all four teams can stay mostly healthy for most of the season, the AFC South is going to be nasty. As a Tennessee Titans fan it's fun but definitely stressful.
The Titans made the playoffs and won a playoff game this past season. This team is talented but didn't improve much as they ended the season with an identical record as 2016, finishing at 9-7. So the team features virtually an entire new staff of coaches. Starting with hiring highly regarded former player and last season the Texans' DC, Mike Vrabel. Hopefully a new look staff can help take Tennessee to the next level.
Titans new HC Mike Vrabel, pictured in the middle.
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Titans QB Marcus Mariota
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The Indianapolis Colts are not an organization to underestimate. They also feature coaching changes, starting with new HC Frank Reich. If Andrew Luck does come back they will definitely be much more competitive than this past season. As a Titans fan I know well enough than to underestimate Andrew Luck. Also with a proper off-season Jacoby Brissett I believe can become a capable starter. They are undergoing new coaching changes themselves. The Colts will not be an easy game in 2018.
Colts new HC Frank Reich.
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Colts QB Andrew Luck.
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The Jacksonville Jaguars have a young explosive defense that reminds me a lot of the recent great Seattle Seahawks defense. A great secondary, especially at both corners. Fast, big, and smart. That defense should be good for awhile. With a solid running back and game manager Blake Bortles this team will once again be playoff caliber. This team was a close game away from a Super Bowl entry.
Some key Jacksonville defenders.
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Lastly the Houston Texans. Until Deshaun Watson and some other key members of their defense went down this team looked like a Super Bowl threat. They torched my Titans early in the season and that team looked nasty. If Deshaun and even J.J. Watt can come back this team is going to be a PROBLEM.
Texans QB Deshaun Watson.
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The one thing about these teams also is that they are all pretty young! So I only can expect them to improve.
What are some of your thoughts on the AFC South's future? Do you expect this division to be a powerhouse in the near future? What other division do you believe could be great?