I feel like a mad man for even suggesting this, but it’s an opinion that has been brewing within my head, just bouncing nonstop around my skull, for the last several weeks now. I think I’m ready to share it with the world at this point. I don’t think the AFC South is going to be nearly as bad as folks seem to think it’s going to be. Famous last words, I know. My co-host on The Unofficial Titans Podcast, Outspoken Owen Reed, told me the other day that Football Outsiders said seven wins could be enough to win the AFC South. Now, the thing to remember here is that 12-5 is still seven wins, so HA! GOTCHA NERDS!
Anyway, everyone’s talking about the AFC West and what a nightmarish gauntlet it’s going to be. The AFC North is the AFC North, and the AFC East was competitive in 2021 between the Bills, Pats, and Dolphins. But, I think there’s potential for the AFC South to surprise some folks in 2022.
Let’s start with the two-time reigning defending AFC South champions, the Tennessee Titans. People seem to think this team got worse simply because they lost AJ Brown, but I think there’s still a lot to like about this franchise, starting with its head coach. Mike Vrabel is the reigning Coach of the Year, and has built a winning culture alongside GM Jon Robinson. He guided this team to the #1 seed in the AFC a season ago while having to play nearly a hundred different players. They’ll get Derrick Henry back. Taylor Lewan will be healthy (side note: I think the offensive line could surprise some people as well). They added Robert Woods and Austin Hooper, while drafting Treylon Burks and Kyle Philips. All of this and I haven’t even mentioned that this is probably going to be the best defensive front in the AFC, and could be one of the best defenses in the entire league if things iron themselves out in the secondary. Why the shade for the Titans?
The Indianapolis Colts seem to be the media darlings right now, as usual. And, that’s all well and good – they added Matt Ryan, who would be an upgrade over Carson Wentz even if he was 80 years old and only had one arm and even if that arm was his non-throwing arm. They have one of the best backs in the league in Jonathan Taylor, and they have a pretty nasty defensive line in their own right – we know what DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart are capable of, but the Colts added Yannick Ngakoue, and I like the promising young edge setter Kwity Paye too.
Now, here’s where things get interesting, and you might think I sound like a total raving lunatic. I’m kind of high on both of the remaining AFC South teams as potential – key word there…potential – surprise teams in the conference.
The Jacksonville Jaguars may have had the biggest addition-by-subtraction move of them all this year by canning Urban Meyer, who I still maintained deserved to be shot out of a literal cannon into the ocean. Sorry – that was a bit harsh, but the visual was just too funny for me not to mention. I know some rumblings of Doug Pederson losing folks in Philadelphia have circulated, but I am ever the optimist. I thinks he’s going to be a much-needed cleanse in Jacksonville, and there’s a lot to be excited about down there from a roster standpoint. This was a defense that was surprisingly competitive in 2021, and I expect this team to improve with even the slightest bit of competency on offense.
Then, there’s the Houston Texans, and folks, I think I’m about ready to say this could actually be a team that makes a dark horse run at a wild card spot. The NFL world seemed to laugh at the hiring of Lovie Smith, but for better or for worse, the man is a stabilizing force for an organization that needed it right now. I love the promotion of Pep Hamilton to offensive coordinator. They are already getting some traction out of Davis Mills, who you could reasonably argue had the best season of any rookie quarterback a year ago. And, I absolutely loved their draft so much – Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre should make for a formidable duo in the secondary right away. Kenyon Green was one of the safest prospects in this draft class to me. Dameon Pierce, a wrecking ball with legs, should give the backfield an immediate boost. John Metchie III is a solid route runner and should complement the Texans receiving corps nicely. And, they added tremendous value in where they drafted Christian Harris and Thomas Booker. This was a class that I think can contribute right away and make the Texans a surprisingly difficult out in 2022.
And, let’s talk about the broader AFC because that also factors in to how many of these AFC South teams could be vying for the postseason come December. How thick is the competition, really, outside of the AFC West? How many legitimate championship contenders are there? Do we think that the AFC North is going to yield more than one playoff team? For sure? How about the AFC East? Hell, we’re looking at a situation where maybe ALL FOUR of the AFC West teams make the playoffs! Bottom line – all of this is to say that ultimately, I think the AFC South could be that one random division that sneaks up on the football world in 2022. All four of these teams have gotten better this offseason in my mind.
For more authentic and irreverent sports talk, check out our friends at 440 Sports – covering the SEC and all things Nashville sports. If you haven’t already, be sure to subscribe to The Unofficial Titans Podcast on Apple Podcasts, follow us on Spotify, or wherever you take in your podcasts!
Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
Check out the SoBros Shop. Become a Patron. Give us money for no reason. Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork. Watch on YouTube.