Has a new powerhouse been born in the AFC South? After exploding on the scene last year AND winning a playoff game, the sky is the limit for CJ Stroud and the Houston Texans. In Jacksonville, we have another wealthy QB that hasn’t won jack; I guess that’s the way it is nowadays. In Indy, we’ll have the return of a QB in Richardson. In Tennessee, we have a reset in the coaching staff, with a young QB throwing to some pretty impressive targets. Who you got?
My money is on the Texans point blank. My money is not literally on the Texans, not yet, but I do think they are in a position to win for a while. I like their coach, their QB, their defense… yes they did add Diggs, the previously discussed pain in the ass, but for one year… will a “show-me” deal lead to his best? They already had good WRs. They also added Mixon. They’re geared up. But, the NFL has the book on CJ Stroud now; it’ll be his turn to make adjustments. Will he be talented enough to do so? I say yes.
I’m not a Trevor Lawrence guy; I don’t know anybody who is. I’m sure Jaguars’ fans love him though; somebody in Jacksonville does. He is the QB for the foreseeable future; can he deliver? He’ll be missing one of his favorite targets in Ridley, but will have Gabe Davis instead. Etienne and Engram help make this offense semi-potent. Defensively?
How about the return of Richardson to the Colts? QBs are at the center of just about every team’s conversation; hope the Bears finally found theirs… that’s for another day. But Anthony Richardson looked good before going down last year; he’ll be back. Will Taylor be back to the top echelon of RBs? That would be a pretty good 1-2 punch.
Finally, the Titans… Ridley’s new home along side D-Hop… Levis will have some big targets out there, but will be missing the King in the backfield. Travis Henry will be running the rock in Baltimore, so the Titans will need to rely on the air attack. Defense? We’ve talked a lot about the offenses, only because the defenses aren’t much to talk about. This is where the Texans have the advantage; this is another reason why I still think they’ll be atop the division.
The most interesting thing about this division though… these are the 4 teams the Bears will play this year. In fact, the Bears will start off the season facing 3 AFC South teams. Hosting the Titans, followed by road games at Houston and Indy, is how the Bears will roll into 2024. In Week 6 they will face the final team from the division, the Jaguars, in London. Going 500 against this division should be considered a success I think… Honestly though, I wouldn’t touch the Bears in Week 1; I do like them, but man… season openers have been tough, including the fresh one from last year. The only other AFC team the Bears will face this year (in the regular season… haha) is the Patriots at Soldier Field; thank you? Let’s move on…
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