Predicting the winner of the AFC South is one of the toughest handicapping jobs for all of the NFL futures on the board heading into the 2017 season and the recently updated odds to win this division at BetOnline bears this out. The good news for any of the teams in this race is that once again nine wins could very easily get the job done.
Houston Texans +185
Almost by default, the Texans won the last two AFC South titles with identical 9-7 records. That is probably why they are at the top of this list heading into a new season. It would be hard to deny that Houston has the best defense in this division after ranking first in the league in yards allowed last year, but this unit could not always hide the sins of an offense that was 29th in both yards gained and points scored.
Head coach Bill O’Brien’s remaining tenure with this team will be defined by the decision to draft quarterback Deshaun Watson with the 12th overall pick. This could turn out to be an incredibly smart decision, but I am not all that sold that it will have a major impact on his team’s fortunes this year.
Indianapolis Colts +210
The Colts still have the most stable situation at quarterback in this division with Andrew Luck under center, but this will be a make or break year for him after injury and inconsistent play have negatively impacted his performance the past two seasons following a blistering start to his NFL career. Recent shoulder surgery this past January only clouds his situation even more as does the fact that the Colts did little to improve their anemic ground game.
Embattled head coach Chuck Pagano appears to be permanently on the hot seat in Indy and he has to hope that front loading the recent draft with defensive picks will help improve a unit that was 30th in the league in yards allowed last season.
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Tennessee Titans +215
Given Tennessee the award for most improved in this division after going from just three wins in 2015 to a winning record of 9-7 last year. The Titans lost the division title on a tiebreaker; however the pieces continue to fall into place to take that next step to the top of heap this time around. Head coach Mike Mularkey made a concerted effort to upgrade his team’s receiving corps by adding Corey Davis in the draft and Eric Decker as a veteran free agent after Tennessee ranked 25th in the NFL in passing yards last year
The key could be in the continued progression of Marcus Mariota at quarterback. If he continues to elevate his play heading into his third season with all these new weapons, there is quite a bit of value in this team’s current odds.
Jacksonville Jaguars +650
Jacksonville took an unexpected turn for the worse last season with a record of 3-13 despite all the talent it has stockpiled over the past several seasons due to an endless stream of high draft picks. You now have to question whether Blake Bortles is the long-term solution at quarterback or if Doug Marrone is the answer at head coach.
The addition of running back Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall pick of this year’s draft should add some excitement to a Jaguars’ offense that was 23rd in the NFL in total yards and 25th in scoring, but unless everyone of this team’s draft picks over the past few year’s elevates their game to a whole new level, Jacksonville is destined for another last place finish.
