Steve Starr
- BetOnline’s NFL Division Futures favor the Indianapolis Colts (-105) to claim the AFC South
- Tennessee (+140) will have trouble winning its third-consecutive division title after trading star receiver A.J. Brown to the Eagles
- Jacksonville (+700) and Houston (+2200) are impossibly bad teams with no chance at making the postseason
With the 2022 NFL Draft complete and almost all the premier free agents signed, sealed and delivered, 32 franchises across the league are locked and loaded for the upcoming season. Today, we preview the worst division in all of football – the AFC South – and predict whether the Jaguars, Titans or Texans can compete with the Colts.
Before we look at the division futures, here’s where you can check out the top betting sites for NFL football in 2022 and get the latest Super Bowl betting tips.
AFC South
 |
|
| Indianapolis Colts | -105 |
| Tennessee Titans | +140 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +700 |
| Houston Texans | +2200 |
The Colts can’t miss
Times were bleak in Indianapolis (-105) following a 26-11 upset-loss to the Jaguars in Week 17 that cost Frank Reich’s team a playoff spot. But, against all odds, general manager Chris Ballard was able to replace an unwanted Carson Wentz for Matt Ryan while picking up extra draft capital. Now with a competent veteran quarterback and the NFL’s best back in Jonathan Taylor, the Colts are primed to win their first AFC South title since 2014.
On the other side of the ball, Gus Bradley and John Fox were brought in to run a defense that added pass rusher Yannick Ngakoue and cornerback Stephon Gilmore. This team should far exceed its 9.5-win total and post their best record since the glory days of Peyton Manning.
Matt Ryan says he probably would still be with the #Falcons if they never pursued #Browns Deshaun Watson #NFL #NFLTwitter pic.twitter.com/WQHYNcG0Gc
— NFL Rumors (@nflrums) May 3, 2022
Forget the Titans
Reigning coach of the year Mike Vrabel always gets the best out of his Titans (+140), but red flags are piling up. A.J. Brown was shipped to Philadelphia. Derrick Henry is 28 years old and coming off a season-ending foot injury. And Ryan Tannehill is in no mood to mentor his replacement (third-round pick Malik Willis) after tossing three interceptions in a divisional-round loss to the Bengals.
A 12-5 record secured Tennessee the top-seed in the AFC last year, but this team of tough guys is poised for a major backslide.
Bottom of the barrel
There’s hope in Jacksonville (+700) where sideline disaster Urban Meyer was replaced with Super Bowl-winning head coach Doug Pederson. Can he salvage Trevor Lawrence after the No. 1 overall pick threw just 12 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in his nightmare rookie campaign? It might be easier said than done. After GM Trent Baalke went defense with the first-overall pick (Travon Walker) and wasted millions on an average-at-best Christian Kirk, the Jaguars are still as toothless as ever.
Jaguars select Georgia’s Travon Walker with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft 🚨
Trevor Lawrence and Jacksonville just got a star edge-rusher pic.twitter.com/bgPzqmXw6w
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 29, 2022
That leaves Houston (+2200). While a massive weight was lifted off the organization’s shoulders after the trade of Deshaun Watson, this is still one of the most talent-deprived clubs in all of football. Even if they hit on No. 3 overall pick Derek Stingley and Davis Mills shows improvement in his sophomore season, Lovie Smith and the Texans are probably a five-win team at best.
AFC South Pick: Indianapolis Colts (-105)
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