Over the course of the next few weeks, leading up the kickoff of the NFL season, I’ll be looking around the grand landscape of the league. We’ll preview all 32 teams, division by division – up next, it’s my 2019 AFC South preview.
Houston Texans
As the reigning AFC South champions, the Texans had the most to gain by the retirement of Andrew Luck. They’re now the favorites to win the AFC South, and since Luck is gone, they can now say they have the best quarterback in the division in Deshaun Watson.
But, to say it hasn’t been a tumultuous offseason for the Texans would be incorrect. This is a franchise that is desperately trying to get over the hump and make a deep playoff run. They have the best receiver in the game in DeAndre Hopkins. Behind him is a promising receiving corps made up of Will Fuller, Keke Coutee, and Kenny Stills. Losing Lamar Miller to a season ending knee injury hurts, but the team acquired Duke Johnson and Carlos Hyde to help negate the blow. There’s talent, and there’s speed on this offense, but the biggest question mark was an offensive line that allowed a whopping 62 sacks last season.
The Texans invested heavily in a retooled offensive line, sending two first round draft picks and a second rounder to the Miami Dolphins for Laremy Tunsil. I, along with everyone else with a brain, expect the Texans to make him the highest paid left tackle in the league next offseason. They also drafted Tytus Howard in the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and Max Scharping in the second round. All three will start this season. You figure….it couldn’t possibly be any worse than last season, right?!?! If the offensive line improves, it could mean this offense takes the next step, becoming one of the best in the NFL.
On defense, the Texans were a little underrated in 2018, sitting at fifth overall in points allowed per game (19.8). There wasn’t a drastic overhaul of the defense as it wasn’t necessary. Even after shipping Jadeveon Clowney off to the Seattle Seahawks, this defense still has teeth.
Ultimately, the big question for the 2019 Texans is the offensive line and the patchwork playmakers, if you will. Watson and Hopkins can only shoulder the load for so long. In a division that figures to have four good defenses, it’s important for them to stay healthy. Every AFC South team is going to to be in close games this season. For the Texans, protecting Watson is the key to another AFC South title run.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck shook the football world to its core by announcing his retirement from the game. With him at quarterback, the Colts were favored to win the AFC South, with an over/under win total set at 10. Since he’s out of the game, the Colts are now the 4th favorite to win the AFC South, with an adjusted over/under win total set to 7.
So, yeah…the loss of Luck is a doozy. Jacoby Brissett is a serviceable backup, but when given the reins in 2017, he won just four games. Now, there’s a much better offensive line in front of him in 2019. In fact, it could arguably be the best offensive line in football. Brissett has some weapons at his disposal, too. T.Y. Hilton is often forgotten about in the grand scheme of the wide receiver position, but has always been one of the best in the league. Marlon Mack looks poised for a breakout year at running back behind that stout offensive line. Eric Ebron had a career resurgence last year. So, the pieces are in place…it’s just a matter of managing them…which is something you trusted Luck a whole hell of a lot more with than Brissett.
The Colts have some promising pieces on defense too, in linebacker Darius Leonard and safety Malik Hooker. Jabaal Sheard is one of the most underrated pass rushers in the NFL, and the Colts added Justin Houston in free agency to hopefully give that unit a bit more bite. But, overall, the defense has to take a step forward for this to be a playoff contending team.
I think the loss of Luck is really going to hurt this team in 2019. He is absolutely worth the three games that Las Vegas docked the Colts by given his absence. In a division that figures to be highly competitive throughout the entire season, his presence would’ve made a huge difference. I went from considering this team a dark horse AFC Championship contender to considering it a 3rd or 4th place team in the AFC South.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags gave Nick Foles a ton of money in the offseason, and hired John DeFilippo to serve as offensive coordinator. The hope is that they’ll be able to recreate the same magic that brought the Philadelphia Eagles a Super Bowl in 2017. But, there’s a lot riding on those two. Leonard Fournette remains one of the most talented running backs in the league, but questions about his work ethic and durability make him a bit of a mystery heading into 2019. Outside of that, there aren’t a lot of guys who can really impact a game on that Jags offense. Is Foles an upgrade over Blake Bortles? Absolutely…but in regular action, he hasn’t proven to be much more than average. Are Dede Westbrook and Marqise Lee going to elevate his game? I don’t think so. I think this offense is still two or three pieces away from being any good.
But, let’s face it…it’s all about the defense in Jacksonville. There are some questions at safety, but the Jags boast one of the league’s best cornerback tandems in Jalen Ramsey and A.J. Bouye. The real threat is the pass rush, though. The front seven for the Jags could be the best in the league, and so could the pass rush, which was bolstered by Josh Allen fortuitously falling into their laps on draft day.
Ultimately, I expect this team to look a lot more like the 2017 Jags than the 2018 Jags. I’m not buying the Super Bowl hype that some media outlets are selling, but this team should push for a playoff spot and be competitive in most of their games because of the defense. They’re content to win low scoring games.
Tennessee Titans
Even with the uncertainty surrounding Marcus Mariota and the suspension of Taylor Lewan, the Titans still look like the most complete team in the AFC South to me.
Mariota has proven that he can be an effective quarterback in the NFL if he stays healthy. One thing’s for sure…he’s never had the supporting cast that he has in 2019 before. Delanie Walker, his favorite target, is back and healthy. Corey Davis is progressing nicely. The Titans brought in Adam Humphries in free agency, and drafted A.J. Brown. Tajae Sharpe has had a nice offseason. Mariota has never had such weapons at his disposal before.
Derrick Henry was the hottest running back in the league to close out 2018. There’s still some skepticism as to which Henry we’re going to get in 2019, but if he’s anything remotely like the guy who closed out last season, the Titans have an emerging star on their hands.
GM Jon Robinson attempted to solve the offensive line woes by bringing in Rodger Saffold and drafting Nate Davis, but Lewan’s suspension, and Davis’ lack of playing time in the preseason makes for a shaky situation. Dennis Kelly is as reliable as they come, but filling Lewan’s shoes for four games is no easy task. Kevin Pamphile has been inconsistent at right guard, so there’s still a bit of soul searching to do here.
Overall, the offense is expected to take a step forward this year. On defense, it’s business as usual. The Titans were an excellent defense in 2018, finishing third in the NFL in points allowed per game (18.9). Kevin Byard has a new deal, and is just one piece of a secondary that looks like the best in the division right now. Jurrell Casey is still wreaking havoc. The team is pleased with free agent additions Cameron Wake and Brent Urban. Jayon Brown and Rashaan Evans make for one of the league’s best young linebacking duos. This should be a real strength of the team.
All in all, the Titans stand to benefit from Luck’s retirement. Unfortunately, it means he’ll retire undefeated against the Titans, but without that cloud looming over the team in 2019, I expect the Titans to field a top 10 defense, an improved offense, and that’ll be good enough to claim a competitive AFC South.
Projected Finish
- Tennessee Titans
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Indianapolis Colts
2019 NFL DIVISIONAL PREVIEWS
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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