NFL: Predicting the AFC’s division winners

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts: 11-5

I’m not picking them, but I give the Colts a very reasonable chance to not only get to Super Bowl XLIX, but to win it.

Despite losing Reggie Wayne mid-season and not having a running game, Indy won 11 games last season and advanced to the Divisional Round. Now, not only do they get back Reggie, but the Colts also added Hakeem Nicks to round out their three-headed monster at wide receiver (T.Y. Hilton, too) and bolstered the defense by signing safety Mike Adams, defensive end Arthur Jones, and linebacker D’Qwell Jackson, who finished seventh in the NFL in tackles in 2013.

Andrew Luck has already proven himself as a top-five quarterback, and I believe he’s ready to make the next jump. If that happens this season, the Colts could find themselves in Phoenix next February.

2. Houston Texans: 8-8

The Texans were surely the biggest disappointment of 2013 but, with their offseason, put themselves in position for a 2014 turnaround. Houston hired head coach Bill O’Brien, who got average Penn State teams to overachieve and win 15 games in 2012 and 2013. The Texans also drafted Jadeveon Clowney, got rid of Matt Schaub and brought in Ryan Fitzpatrick, and will get back running back Arian Foster, who only saw significant action in 12 games last season.

But best of all for the Texans? They have the league’s third-easiest schedule. Houston won’t make the playoffs, but will be respectable.

3. Tennessee Titans: 7-9

The Titans will be in 2014 what they have been for seemingly the last decade: a decent team that doesn’t get enough production at quarterback to finish above .500. But, hey, prove me wrong, Jake Locker.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars: 3-13

I liked what I saw from Blake Bortles in the preseason, but the Jags named Chad Henne their starter and have too many holes on their roster to be much better than they have been in recent years.