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NFL Preview: Ranking each division by strength

By Luke Dahlgren

Nov 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2014; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) throws a pass against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Locker room exhibit with Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99), Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12), Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sen
Jan 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Locker room exhibit with Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99), Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12), Jacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Sen /

7. AFC South

Divisions facing the AFC South in 2015: AFC East & NFC South

Two of the 2014’s three worst teams reside in the AFC South: the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The two teams combined for 5 wins (and two of those wins were obviously against each other). At least the Jags were competitive for many of their games in 2014. The Titans lost over half of their games by 14 points or more.

The theme for the AFC South appears to be a lack of weapons at the skill positions. The exception is in Indianapolis, where the Colts have a strong set of targets for Andrew Luck to use. But with the injury to Texans running back Arian Foster, the best halfback in the division appears to be 32-year old Frank Gore for the Colts. That’s certainly better than Trent Richardson waddling away from the hole face first into a wall of defenders, but the Titans and Jags can’t claim much that is better.

The division can claim two things:

  1. J.J. Watt is arguably the best player in football (and unarguably the best defensive player)
  2. The Indianapolis Colts are bona fide contenders for the Super Bowl

On this second point, though, the Colts have not shown that they have a rounded enough roster to make the final push to a championship. They do have a firm lock on the division for the immediate future, perhaps more so than any other division frontrunner.

Next: AFC West

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