The AFC South could be the NFL’s toughest division
By Matt Conner
A division that started the season at 1-3 and watched their best quarterback walk away could end up the toughest in football.
In the standings, the teams are 1-3 overall. The most talented quarterback involved also just walked away from the game shortly before the regular season began.
Never mind all of that. The AFC South is still the toughest division in the National Football League.
Sure, it’s awful early to make such declarations this NFL season, but in four separate games, the teams of the AFC South—the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Tennessee Titans—each made impressive statements. Each franchise is built solid, top to bottom, and each has reasons to believe they can win most weeks on the schedule.
That’s not true of most of the NFL’s divisions, given that most have an obvious basement-dweller that sinks the value of the whole. The Bengals ruin the AFC North, while the Dolphins spoil the East. The Raiders mar the West in the AFC, while the Cardinals do the same to the NFC. The Giants and Buccaneers remove the NFC’s East and South, respectively, from the conversation.
At this point, only the NFC North can compete with the AFC South and even then you’ve gotta believe a lot more in the Detroit Lions than anyone should.
Here’s the reality. The South is going to be an absolute bloodbath for every one of the four teams involved.
Houston Texans
The Texans might be 0-1 in the standings after losing to the New Orleans Saints, but anyone who watched the instant classic on Monday Night Football will attest to the game’s insane ending (a 58-yard field goal as the clock expired from Saints kicker Greg Lutz).
Deshaun Watson is every bit the quarterback that even his most ardent supporters envisioned him becoming at the pro level. Despite taking more hits than any other quarterback in Week 1, he had perhaps the NFL’s most talented team, top to bottom, on the ropes with less than a minute left. Will Fuller’s downfield heroics and DeAndre Hopkins supremacy ensure that the Texans will go toe-to-toe with nearly any offense in the league.
This team has issues, to be sure, but the defense shut down Drew Brees for the first half and they’ve got reason to believe some of the problem spots will heal with time and experience as younger players emerge in the secondary and along the offensive front.
Indianapolis Colts
Most of us likely believed the Colts were out of luck (pun intended) when their star QB left to backpack through Europe, but Chris Ballard and Frank Reich insisted in public remarks that their faith in the franchise’s ability to succeed was unwavering. They inflated the verbal stock of Jacoby Brissett and hailed the overall talent on the roster, even getting T.Y. Hilton to throw in an occasional “amen” to reporters.
On Sunday, they walked the walk. On the road against a Super Bowl contender in the L.A. Chargers, the Colts had Anthony Lynn’s team concerned about a season-opening home loss in their first week without Andrew Luck. The Colts finally went down in overtime.
The offense didn’t miss a beat. Brissett looked poised. The offensive line looks as dominant as last year. Marlon Mack put up the 11th most rushing yards in a single game in Colts history (174). Hilton remains perhaps the AFC’s most underrated wideout. The downside here is Devin Funchess is now on injured reserve after breaking his clavicle.
As for the defense, there is bright young talent on every level. Remember how much better the Colts looked last season in the second half compared to the first. This is still very much a blossoming roster. Sans Luck, the Colts will still be very tough week after week.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags lost by 21 at home to open the season, but they were also facing the NFL’s most potent offense on a day in which they were forced to start a sixth round rookie at quarterback for over three quarters.
The Jaguars’ defense is as stout as ever and Josh Allen looks like a franchise talent along a defensive line that’s already among the NFL’s best. The Jags likely still boast the NFL’s best cornerback tandem and the linebacking corps is young and talented.
As for Gardner Minshew, that sixth round rookie, he certainly looked up to the challenge of replacing Nick Foles and leading this Jags team in the interim. That, of course, remains to be seen. But the Jaguars’ offensive line is still healing up and the team’s young tackles (Cam Robinson, Jawaan Taylor) will get much better with experience. Even more important is the health and productivity of Leonard Fournette.
The Jags are the worst team in the division, but ask any team in the league if they really want to play against Sacksonville. The answer will be negative.
Tennessee Titans
It’s entirely possible the Cleveland Browns were too quickly labeled the darlings of the AFC this offseason. It’s also entirely possible the Titans are that good.
On Sunday, the Titans marched into Cleveland walked away victorious by 30. Thirty. The Browns cut it close in the third quarter, but the Titans talent on all levels decisively put it away—making you wonder how and why everyone’s been sleeping on Music City’s franchise.
Marcus Mariota looked like a top pick under center. Derrick Henry was a two-way threat now that he’s finally been given the lead back role. A.J. Brown was a big-play revelation in his first professional game. Delanie Walker announced his return from a season lost to injury with two touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Titans defense lived up to the team’s name, holding what should be a dangerous offense on paper to only 13 total points. They forced Baker Mayfield into throwing three interceptions, including a pick-six to Malcolm Butler, and Cameron Wake, who looks like a strong sleeper acquisition, anchors an underrated defensive front.
Every year we’re surprised by a team and the Titans likely enjoy the relative lack of buzz in the national press. They’re going to put their heads down, do the work required, and focus on what matters most.