2016 NFL predictions: Super Bowl XLXI and more
JJ: Colts. Bringing Chuck Pagano back was absolutely the right decision and one they will not regret. Not to mention, there will be a healthy Andrew Luck back into the fold with these guys. There are still some pieces on offense that need to be put in, but that’s on management. But they nearly made the playoffs this year without Luck, and if he stays healthy next year, they’ll be right beck to contending again.
MV: Colts. Indianapolis can’t possibly be this bad again, right? The Colts will blame the lost season on Andrew Luck going down for the count in Week 9, but the team was 2-5 with him as the starting quarterback. While retaining general manager Ryan Grigson might be one of the worst moves in the history of mankind, the Colts have more talent than anybody else in the division. It’s hard to see them not at least going 9-7, which should be enough to get the job done.
MD: Colts. Indianapolis has to be the favorite to come back and win the AFC South. With a healthy Andrew Luck returning under center, who can really see this division going to the Jacksonville Jaguars or Tennessee Titans. Sure, the Houston Texans some how managed to win the division with a revolving door at quarterback, they finished their season with Brandon Weeden under center, who started and played for the Dallas Cowboys to begin. No way Weeden, if the Texans keep him, or another Texans quarterback for that matter, steals the division from Luck and the Colts.
JH: Colts. Andrew Luck missing basically all of this year is what sunk this team. They have problems with protection up front that should be addressed in free agency, but this year was a total fluke for the Colts. No one is saying they’re going to bounce back as the ’72 Dolphins, but having Luck not internally bleeding all season is the best step in the right direction they can take.
JB: Colts. The Jaguars are still a year away from contention, and the Titans are a few years back. Houston took things in 2015, mainly on the back of a strong defense and a terrible division. Get Andrew Luck healthy, patch up the offensive line and find a defense, and the Colts are back at it.
PA: Jaguars. The Colts had issues even before Andrew Luck went down and Brian Hoyer has a much lower ceiling than Blake Bortles. The Jags are close and if they can add some defensive help this offseason, the South is there for the taking.
Next: AFC West