The NFL is back, and Sportsnet is breaking down everything you need to know about each of the 32 teams in the lead-up to kickoff on Thursday, Sept. 5.
Today, we look at best- and worst-case scenarios for the AFC South. (Teams are listed in the order in which we believe they’ll finish in the 2019 standings.)
Tennessee Titans
2018 finish: 9-7, missed playoffs
Major additions: DE/OLB Cameron Wake, G Rodger Saffold, QB Ryan Tannehill, WR Adam Humphries, WR A.J. Brown, DL Brent Urban, DT Jeffery Simmons, OG Nate Davis, S/CB/LB Amani Hooker. Star tight end Delanie Walker also returns after missing all but one game in 2018 due to a dislocated ankle.
Major subtractions: TE Luke Stocker, G Josh Kline, G Quinton Spain, NT Bennie Logan, DE/OLB Derrick Morgan, DE/OLB Brian Orakpo
Best-case scenario: The perennially overlooked and under-appreciated team (which has finished 9-7 three years running, by the way) establish themselves as an elite team in the trenches thanks to their strength at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The Kevin Byard-led secondary has the upper hand on AFC South wideouts all season, Marcus Mariota becomes more than the mere game manager he’s been for the past couple seasons, and Derrick Henry plays like the running back who averaged 94.9 rushing yards and 1.3 rushing touchdowns per game in the second half of 2018. With all the personnel upheaval in the division, the Titans take full advantage and steal top spot.
Worst-case scenario: Being without star left tackle Taylor Lewan from Week 1 to Week 4 (during which they play road games against the Browns, Jaguars and Falcons) due to his suspension stemming from a failed drug test is predictably a major detriment. They get behind the eight ball early and are once again a poor road team (3-5 away from home in each of the past two seasons) and fail to gain any ground on divisional opponents. It becomes clear Mariota isn’t ever going to be a true franchise QB and is pulled multiple times for Tannehill leading to some epic meltdowns on the sidelines from head coach Mike Vrabel.
2019 prediction: 10-6, division champs
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Jacksonville Jaguars
2018 finish: 5-11, missed playoffs
Major additions: QB Nick Foles, DE/OLB Josh Allen, ILB Jake Ryan, WR Chris Conley, TE Geoff Swaim, OT Jawaan Taylor, TE Josh Oliver. Starting left tackle Cam Robinson returns after going down in Week 2 in 2018 due to a season-ending knee injury.
Major subtractions: QB Blake Bortles, DT Malik Jackson, S Tashaun Gipson, RB T.J. Yeldon, WR Donte Moncrief, TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, OT Jermey Parnell
Best-case scenario: The Nick Foles era in Duval County begins with a bang and their disappointing 2018 quickly becomes a distant memory. Foles is his poised, accurate self behind centre and feeds Dede Westbrook who leads a ragtag group of wide receivers to a breakout campaign. A slimmer, newly motivated Leonard Fournette is the bell cow he showed glimpses of being as a rookie in 2017.
On the other side of the ball, the Jags become close to unstoppable thanks to a formidable pass rush led by Yannick Ngakoue, Calais Campbell and stud rookie Josh Allen, plus a secondary that features lockdown corners Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye.
Worst-case scenario: Although Foles is capable of leading a team to a Super Bowl victory and Fournette has the talent to over a game singlehandedly and wreck the opposition – just like his son – neither happens because the offensive line fails to do its part and/or Fournette can’t stay on the field just like last year. Losing veteran defenders Malik Jackson and Tashaun Gipson hurts more than anticipated and by the end of the year head coach Doug Marrone, despite his popularity in the locker room, is placed on the hot seat.
2019 prediction: 8-7-1
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Indianapolis Colts
2018 finish: 10-6, lost to Chiefs in divisional round
Major additions: DE/OLB Justin Houston, WR Devin Funchess, RB Spencer Ware, CB Rock Ya-Sin, WR Parris Campbell, DE/OLB Ben Banogu
Major subtractions: QB Andrew Luck, G Matt Slauson, S Mike Mitchell, WR Dontrelle Inman, WR Ryan Grant
Best-case scenario: Jacoby Brissett takes the reins and this team remains a competitive playoff contender. He might not have Andrew Luck’s natural talent behind centre but the strong offensive line and deep receiving corps gives him both the time and options to complete the passes he’s capable of completing. Colts general manager Chris Ballard has done a fine job building back up the roster’s infrastructure after the damage ex-GM Ryan Grigson caused during his tenure.
Worst-case scenario: They are literally living it. The franchise quarterback announcing his surprise retirement two weeks before the start of the regular season completely deflates the locker room. The offence flounders, too much pressure is put on star linebacker Darius Leonard and the defence, and they fall apart in the second half of the season.
2019 prediction: 6-9-1
Houston Texans
2018 finish: 11-5, lost to Colts in wild-card round
Major additions: S Tashaun Gipson, CB Bradley Roby, S Jahleel Addae, QB A.J. McCarron, OT Matt Kalil, TE Darren Fells, OT Tytus Howard, CB Lonnie Johnson, OL Max Scharping
Major subtractions: DE/OLB Jadeveon Clowney (maybe…?), S Tyrann Mathieu, DT Christian Covington, CB Kareem Jackson, CB Kevin Johnson, CB Kayvon Webster, RB Alfred Blue, WR Demaryius Thomas, TE Ryan Griffin, OT Kendall Lamm
Best-case scenario: Watson has an MVP-calibre year and his frequent connections with DeAndre Hopkins sees the Texans become the clear kings of the AFC South. Perennial All-Pro J.J. Watt builds on his terrific 2018 comeback effort and the additions to the defensive backfield turn out to be far better than anticipated.
Worst-case scenario: Despite all the offensive upside and the fact they don’t have to contend with a Luck-led Colts team, the Texans o-line remains one of the most porous in the AFC and it results in an ineffective run game and Watson trying to do too much. The new-look secondary fails to gel, while the Jadeveon Clowney drama takes a clear toll.
2019 prediction: 6-10
