The AFC South likely belongs to the Jaguars, but the Titans won’t let the Jags have it easy until they say so. What about the Texans and Colts? They both gave the go to their rookie quarterbacks right off the bat. Their schedule against the NFC South is weak but could be middling. However, the AFC North could create a carousel in the AFC South division standings.

AFC SOUTH

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

The Cats in Duval County will be tested with their third year QB in Trevor Lawrence and second year coach Doug Pederson. Their backfield could improve, and the receiving unit could be formidable with Calvin Ridley’s return from a full season suspension. The offensive line is the position to watch after a couple of injuries, a suspension, and the loss of Jawaan Taylor to the Chiefs, but look out for Anton Harrison. Defense could improve, but they must stay healthy and improve on overall production. Folorunso Fatukasi, Josh Allen (Linebacker. Not QB), Devin Lloyd, Travon Walker, Tyson Campbell, and Rayshawn Jenkins leads the unit. The Jaguars could win the division title, but their schedule is challenging. They face the Chiefs, Bills at a neutral site, and travel to New Orleans and Pittsburgh before the bye. Their second half is much more challenging. They host San Fran, Cincy, and Baltimore, while traveling to Cleveland and Tampa. Two games against Tennessee are after the bye, including the season finale. Duval County will definitely be tested.

TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans will be a tough out in just about every game. Good defense and offensive physicality will be their advantage. Having Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins, a physical offensive line, Jeffrey Simmons, Harold Landry III, and group of secondaries benefits the Titans in even the toughest of games. But how long will they keep up the fight before the fight’s kicked out? Saints, Chargers, and every AFC North opponent except Pittsburgh before the bye is a tall order on their early schedule. After the bye, they travel to Pittsburgh, Tampa and Jacksonville. But after that, the schedule makers blessed Tennessee with five home games in the last seven of the season. They host most teams going through new quarterbacks with only Seattle and Jacksonville having experience QBs. Their only true road game is Miami. The division title could come down to the Titans and Jags once again.

HOUSTON TEXANS

The Texans could field one of the better defenses in the league. Robert Saleh did it with the Jets after departing San Fran, and so could Demeco Ryans. Rookie Will Anderson Jr. reunites with his Alabama teammate Christian Harris along with Denzel Perryman, Blake Cashman, Derek Stingley Jr., Jimmie Ward, and Jalen Pitre to form a formidable defense of the future. The offense will rely on Damien Pierce again until the receivers, the rest of the offensive line, and C.J. Stroud progress. That’s a tall task for the young back, but Houston brought in Devin Singletary to take some pressure off him. The Texans have a tough schedule, and the offensive line will be tested against some of the better or improved pass rushers on their schedule. If the line struggles, Stroud will understand what his Ohio State brethren, Justin Fields, experienced early with Chicago. They could improve on their winning percentage, but they’ll likely compete with Indy for third place in the division.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The Colts are going through some stuff. Jonathan Taylor not active and probably disgruntled towards the front office and Anthony Richardson starting very early in his career. But Richardson will get some help from the offensive line if they stay consistently healthy together. The receivers are ok, but at least Richardson has two targets in Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. Defense is still the strength, but what’s happening with Shaq Leonard??? Otherwise, the defensive line is the strongest position for the Colts, which complements the rest of the position with Zaire Franklin and Julian Blackmon leading their positions, but can they prosper without Stephon Gilmore? Indy could really in for a down year. If J.T.’s not active the whole season, there’s no way the Colts are climbing more than third in the division standings.