Jacksonville Jaguars have ferocious bite while Houston Texans boast potential in AFC South preview

Jay Asser 03:27 06/09/2018
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  • After years of being the weakest division in football, the AFC South has slowly morphed into one of the more competitive areas in the league.

    All four teams have a chance to reach the playoffs – a notion that would have been laughable as recent as three years ago.

    The Jacksonville Jaguars, as one-sided as they are, are legitimate threats to get back to the AFC Championship Game, while the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts have their star quarterbacks back and healthy.

    A regime change in Tennessee could give the Titans the jolt they need to find their stride.

    Learn more about the four teams with our AFC South team guides.

    HOUSTON TEXANS

    Head coach: Bill O’Brien

    Star player: J.J. Watt

    Last season: 4-12

    Key ins: Tyrann Mathieu (Arizona), Aaron Colvin (Jacksonville), Zach Fulton (Kansas City), Senio Kelemete (New Orleans), Kayvon Webster (LA Rams), Justin Reid (rookie), Martinas Rankin (rookie), Jordan Akins (rookie)

    Key outs: Brian Cushing (free agent), Xavier Su’a-Filo (free agent)

    Strengths: If Watt can return to something of his old self, their front seven will wreak chaos.

    Weaknesses: Allowed the second-most sacks in the league last year (54) and offensive line hasn’t improved much.

    Verdict: Deshaun Watson, when he’s upright, makes them an intriguing playoff contender.

    Watt

    INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

    Head coach: Frank Reich

    Star player: Andrew Luck

    Last season: 13-3

    Key ins: Luck (injury), Ryan Kelly (injury) Eric Ebron (Detroit), Matt Slauson (LA Chargers), Ryan Grant (Washington), Najee Goode (Philadelphia), Quenton Nelson (rookie), Braden Smith (rookie), Jordan Wilkins (rookie)

    Key outs: Jon Bostic (Pittsburgh), Frank Gore (Miami), Johnathan Hankins (free agent), Donte Moncrief (Jacksonville), Darius Butler (free agent), Rashaan Melvin (Oakland)

    Strengths: Interior of offensive line.

    Weaknesses: Defence gave up the third-most points in the league last year (25.3).

    Verdict: Don’t have enough around Luck to make much noise.

    Luck

    JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

    Head coach: Doug Marrone

    Star player: Jalen Ramsey

    Last season: 10-6, lost in AFC Championship

    Key ins: Andrew Norwell (Carolina), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (NY Jets), Donte Moncrief (Indianapolis), D.J. Hayden (Detroit), Taven Bryan (rookie), D.J. Chark (rookie)

    Key outs: Marqise Lee (injury), Patrick Omameh (NY Giants), Aaron Colvin (Houston), Allen Hurns (Dallas), Chris Ivory (Buffalo), Marcedes Lewis (Green Bay), Allen Robinson (Chicago)

    Strengths: Defence is rife with talent, particularly the secondary

    Weaknesses: Pass-catchers are maybe the worst in the league.

    Verdict: Defence can carry, but unless Blake Bortles takes a step, their ceiling is capped by his limitations.

    Bortles

    TENNESSEE TITANS

    Head coach: Mike Vrabel

    Star player: Jurrell Casey

    Last season: 9-7, lost in Divisional Round

    Key ins: Malcolm Butler (New England), Dion Lewis (New England), Bennie Logan (Kansas City), Kenny Vaccaro (New Orleans), Will Compton (Washington), Rashaan Evans (rookie), Harold Landry (rookie)

    Key outs: Johnathan Cyprien (injury), DeMarco Murray (retired), Avery Williamson (NY Jets), Da’Norris Searcy (Carolina), Erik Walden (Seattle)

    Strengths: Run defence is stout as they surrendered fourth-fewest yards on the ground last year (88.8).

    Weaknesses: Unproven wideouts.

    Verdict: Changes across the coaching staff should help get more out of their collection of talent.

    at Lambeau Field on August 9, 2018 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.

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