Texans Top Leader Odds: Who Will Dominate the AFC South?

 

Previous Betting News

Looking ahead to the new NFL season, there are a couple of divisions that look a little more difficult to predict than the rest. One of those divisions is the AFC South, and while the bookies have a definite favorite here, I’m not so sure it will be that straightforward. The Jaguars showed some signs of promise in 2022, but the other 4 teams are pretty much in rebuilding mode, so it’s tough to really know what to expect. With all of that in mind, we are going to predict how we think the AFC South might play out to consider in your NFL betting odds. Let’s go to it by listing the teams in the order we think they will finish.

NFL 2023 Season Picks for the AFC South Division

2023 NFL season | 104th season of National Football League in the United States
September 7, 2023–February 11, 2024

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars Odds to Win AFC South Division: -152

Heading into the bye week in 2022, the Jaguars found themselves sitting at 3-7 and looking like the playoffs were little more than a pipe dream. They came to life after the bye and went on a tear, winning 6 of their last 7 games to win the division and make it into the playoffs. The Jaguars then delivered an astonishing comeback against the Chargers in the Wild Card Game before finally losing and seeing their season come to an end. If they can recapture that magic from the second half of last season, they look like a good bet to win the South again.

Bet Jacksonville Jaguars to Win
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Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans Odds to Win AFC South Division: +350

As good as the Jaguars were in the second half last season, their move to the top would not have happened without something of a collapse by the Titans. After going 7-3 to start the season and take control of the division, the wheels came off and they closed things out by losing 7 in a row. Sure, Ryan Tannehill missed some time due to an injury, but even when he was on the field, he did not look at all sharp. The Titans drafted Will Levis in the draft, making everyone believe that the QB spot is up for grabs. I don’t really trust this team, but they should be good enough for 2nd.

Bet Tennessee Titans to Win
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Houston Texans

Houston Texans Odds to Win AFC South Division: +800

The Texans finished last season with just 3 wins, but I think they drafted well and look to be a team set to improve this season. That said, it would have to be some kind of dramatic improvement for them to be in contention for this division. CJ Stroud is probably going to get the start in his rookie season, and while he looked a little lost in his limited time on the field in the Texans first preseason game, he does need to be given time. I think he and the Texans might do just enough to land in 3rd.

Bet Houston Texans to Win
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Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts Odds to Win AFC South Division: +600

After several years of trying their luck with veteran QBs under center, the Colts finally drafted a young man to be their starter. Anthony Richardson has some definite upside, but there are more than a few people who believe that the Colts took a massive risk in drafting this kid so high. Like Stroud with the Texans, Richardson is going to have some rough moments in what could be a very long season in Indianapolis. They had 4 wins last year and I believe they might be looking at more of the same, or worse, in 2023.

Bet Indianapolis Colts to Win
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Previous Betting News

Once free agency and the NFL Draft is out of the way, we will begin to have a much clearer picture of how things will look for every team heading into next season. The moves made in the next few weeks will have an impact on every team and every division, during which time we are likely to see the betting odds fluctuate quite wildly. We have already seen that happen in the NFC South, with the Tom Brady move suddenly putting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on the map. The enormity of that move makes it well worth us having a closer look at each team in the division and what they have done in the opening week of free agency with their NFL Odds and Super Bowl Odds Updated.

NFC South Free Agency Thoughts After Week 1

Atlanta Falcons

While the Atlanta Falcons had a disappointing season last year, they did end the season on a high note, going 6-2 in the second half. That was not nearly good enough to get them into the postseason, though, but it may serve as a sign that they are closer to competing that many of us imagined. Their biggest move in free agency was to snap up Todd Gurley after he was released by the LA Rams. Given Gurley’s injury woes, it is a bit of a risky move. The addition of DE Dante Fowler Jr. should help the Falcons with their run defense. They are currently in at +600 to win the division.

Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers finished last season at 5-11, which left them sitting in the cellar in the NFC South. Some of the Panthers old guard are now on their way out. Luke Keuchly announced his retirement, while Greg Olsen and Cam Newton have been deemed surplus to requirements. Teddy Bridgewater will be under center for the Panthers next season, while also adding a trio of wide receivers, none of whom would be considered a big splash. It looks like rebuild time for Carolina, who are +1200 to win the division.

New Orleans Saints

Given that the New Orleans Saints have posted a 13-3 record in back to back seasons, they are not a team that needs a whole lot of work. The one thing that they were waiting on was to see if Drew Brees was going to return or retire. As soon as he announced that he would be coming back, Teddy Bridgewater’s time in the Big Easy was as good as done. The Saints also added S Malcolm Jenkins, while also landing WR Emmanuel Sanders, which could make that Saints offense even scarier than it already is. New Orleans is favorite to win the division at -125.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

After weeks of speculation where we all wondered where Tom Brady would end up, the GOAT announced that he would be leaving the New England Patriots and heading to Tampa Bay. That signing sent a ripple effect throughout the entire league and opened the door for a slew of QB moves. The Buccaneers are almost certainly not done with free agency, with the next big rumor being that they will also land the services of WR Antonio Brown. Just like that, the Bucs are now +200 to win the division.

 

 

Previous Betting News

While the Houston Texans won their second straight AFC South division title and fourth in five years, the division title has been closely contested in each of the last three seasons, with at least two teams from the AFC South reaching the playoffs during the span. Now, following a offseason full of free agent transactions and the recently completed NFL draft, the race for first place in the division looks like another knock-down, drag-out fight to the finish just waiting to happen.

Can Houston repeat or will a Tennessee Titans team that reached the AFC title tilt last season come out on top? Will both title hopefuls be upset by the revamped Indianapolis Colts or could rebuilding (again) Jacksonville throw a wrench into everyone’s plans of claiming the division crown? With the start of the 2020 NFL regular season getting closer by the day, let’s find out which teams are offering the best value and odds to win NFL AFC South division.

NFL AFC South Divisional Odds After Draft

Indianapolis Colts

Odds To Win AFC South: +160

The Indianapolis Colts are looking to get back in the playoffs in 2020 after going an underwhelming 7-9 last season as veteran Jacoby Brissett replaced former franchise star Andrew Luck following his stunning retirement. Now, as they get set for the upcoming 2020 campaign, Indianapolis is handing the keys to their franchise to veteran quarterback Philip Rivers, after they added the longtime Chargers quarterback to a one-year $25 million deal. More importantly, the Colts gave Rivers two new weapons to get the ball to in USC wide receiver Michael Pittman, the 34th overall pick and former Wisconsin record-breaking running back Jonathan Taylor, the 41st overall pick in the draft. After finishing 16th in scoring and 18th in points allowed last season, I think it’s quite possible that head coach Frank Reich could coax his team back into the playoffs in 2020.

Tennessee Titans

Odds To Win AFC South: +175

The Tennessee Titans are coming off a seriously impressive 2019 campaign as they reached the AFC Championship game after getting into the playoffs as a wild card. Tennessee took off after naming veteran Ryan Tannehill their starter and getting another huge season from bruising running back Derrick Henry. The Titans added veteran edge rusher Vic Beasley in free agency to help improve their 24th ranked pass defense from a year ago. The Titans also selected two players that could start right away in Georgia tackle Isaiah Wilson with the 29th overall pick and LSU cornerback Kristian Fulton with the 61st overall pick, although I expected Tennessee to do more to upgrade their modest wide receiver position.

Houston Texans

Odds To Win AFC South: +270

The Houston Texans went 10-6 last season to claim their second straight AFC South division title and fourth in the last five seasons. The bad news is that Houston’s offseason has been head-scratching at best – and damaging at worst. Head coach and now, GM, Bill O’Brien was the architect behind the biggest blunder this offseason as he traded away superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for aging Cardinals running back David Johnson. Houston drafted TCU defensive tackle Ross Blacklock in the second round, Florida linebacker Jonathan Greenard in the third round and Penn State cornerback John Reid in the fourth round after finishing 28th in total defense last season. Still, I’m definitely expecting Houston to take a step backwards in 2020, seeing as how they didn’t give superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson the help he so clearly needs on offense.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Odds To Win AFC South: +1000

The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a pitiful 6-10 campaign in 2019, but they were one of the biggest winners in the recently completed NFL draft. The Jags needs help on both sides of the ball after finishing 26th in scoring (18.8 ppg) and 21st in points allowed (24.8 ppg). While Jacksonville had a modest free agency, they also had one of the best drafts of any team in the league by selecting Florida cornerback C.J. Henderson with the ninth overall pick and LSU linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson with the 20th overall pick. Both players will almost certainly start right away.

Overall Analysis

While I love Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson, I’ve got the Texans taking a step backwards in 2020 because of the foolish moves that Bill O’Brien made this offseason. I also believe Philip Rivers could very well get Indianapolis back into playoff contention, although I’m going with Tennessee to build on their fine 2019 season tin win the AFC South in 2020 while Jacksonville ends up in the AFC South cellar again.

Division Winner: Tennessee Titans

 

 

NFL handicappers often shun betting on division futures. Why? Most divisions have a clear-cut winner. For example, how many NFL bettors truly believe any team will beat the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFC West? Or do the Vikings, Lions, or Bears really have a shot to upset the Packers in the NFC North unless Green Bay trades Aaron Rodgers? One division this season that should be ultra-competitive, at least between 2 of the 4 teams, is the AFC South. Check out AFC South Division odds and picks.

2021 NFL Betting Odds & Picks for the AFC South Division

2021 NFL Regular Season

• When: Sep. 9 – Jan. 9

NFL Odds for AFC South

• Indianapolis Colts +110
• Tennessee Titans +110
• Houston Texans +2000
• Jacksonville Jaguars +700

AFC South looks like a choice between the Colts and Titans

Two teams in the AFC South appear destined to battle for the division title while the other two teams will struggle to win more than 4 games. First, let’s talk about why the Jaguars and Texans could end up with the first two picks in Round 1 of next year’s draft.

The Jacksonville Jaguars drafted Trevor Lawrence first. He’s a massive upgrade at quarterback, but the offensive line may not be good enough to protect Lawrence this season. More importantly, the Jaguars have holes everywhere, at every skill position, and all over the defense.

In addition, making the college coach to NFL coach transition doesn’t always yield benefits. In fact, most high-profile coaches, like Jags’ HC Urban Meyer, have failed at the transition, including the greatest college coach of all time, Nick Saban.

As far as Houston is concerned, they will fail because they’re an awful team, not because DeShaun Watson is being sued by over 20 women. If you’re a Texans fan, blame Bill O’Brien, the former coach and GM, don’t blame Watson.

O’Brien traded DeAndre Hopkins for a running back. No offense to David Johnson, but the wide receiver position in today’s NFL is much more important than RB.

The two teams that should fight all the way to Week 18 are the Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. The Colts are at +110 because many feel they upgraded the quarterback position by trading for Carson Wentz.

We’ll see, but it’s hard imagining Wentz playing better than how Philip Rivers, a future hall of fame quarterback, played in 2020. But Indianapolis does have a terrific offensive line and a very good defense.

The Titans’ defense must play better in 2021. If it does, Tennessee will not only make the playoffs, but they will also have a shot to win the Super Bowl.

Derrick Henry is the best running back in the NFL. A.J. Brown has become one of the better wide receivers in the league. Tennessee also traded for Julio Jones. So, now, QB Ryan Tannehill can throw to both Brown and Jones.

Tennessee is the top pick. The Colts are the second pick, but if you like Indianapolis more than Tennessee, go for it. The Colts and Titans offer the same odds. So neither is an underlay and neither is an overlay.

AFC South Top Choice: Tennessee Titans

AFC South Second Choice: Jacksonville Jaguars

 

 

Previous Betting News

We are now just a matter of days away from the start of the 2020 NFL Draft, which means that teams will now be finalizing their list of potential draftees. There have been countless mock drafts posted online for months now, but no-one really knows what any team is going to do, with many of them probably forced to make changes on the fly as the players they want end up going elsewhere. We are going to take a closer look at each of the 6 divisions to see how things might play out in the draft, which includes exploring what every team needs to plug their existing holes. With that in mind, let’s take a look at what the teams in the AFC South might do in the NFL Draft and their odds.

AFC South Mock Draft For 2020 Draft

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans won the division last season with a 10-6 record, but with the AFC so tight, they need to choose wisely here to stay on top. By shipping out DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals, Houston immediately opened up a need at the WR position, although replacing Hopkins production through the draft is going to be tough. This is a team that needs to tighten up on defense, starting with help in the secondary, so don’t be them surprised to see them pick a CB with their first pick. Then again, they may also go for an edge rusher like A.J Epenesa.

Tennessee Titans

The Titans finished at 9-7 last season and got into the playoffs via the Wild Card. They made the most of that by going all the way to the AFC South Conference Final, so they are certainly close. The biggest hole this team needs to fill is in stopping the run, which probably means looking at a DT with their first pick. Then again, they may choose to shore up the secondary, with CB Kristian Fulton a potential first round pick for the Titans. They could also use help at TE and OT. Defense would certainly seem to be job one for Tennessee given how solid they are on offense now.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts finished last year with a record of 7-9, which was not all that surprising given that Andrew Luck decided to retire right before the start of the season. Jacoby Brissett filled in decently enough, but the signing of Phillip Rivers suggests that the Colts are not totally sold on their QB from last season. The Colts believe that they have a window of opportunity with Rivers at the helm and will likely take a receiver with their first pick, which comes in the second round. Michael Pittman Jr. may still be around then, but also look for the Colts to go for a QB and a TE in their earlier picks.

Jacksonville Jaguars

It’s easy to forget that the Jaguars were just one defensive play away from going to the Super Bowl a few short years ago, as their fall from grace has been rather drastic. A defensive unit that looked great now looks porous, while their move to land QB Nick Foles proved to be a total bust. This is a team that will be looking to totally re-tool the defense, while also looking for some big time playmakers on the offensive side of the football. The good news is that Jacksonville has 12 picks in the draft, with most believing that CJ Henderson at CB will be their first pick.

 

 

Previous Betting News

While Tennessee and Houston both reached the playoffs last season, Indianapolis will be looking to get back in the postseason after taking a step backwards from their fine 2019 campaign – and then – there’s the Jacksonville Jaguars. With a robust free agent signing period that saw all four teams make some fairly significant moves, let’s find out how each franchise in the AFC South fared and what could potentially lie ahead for each of the Super Bowl hopefuls in 2020 with their NFL Odds and Super Bowl Odds Updated.

AFC South Free Agency Week 1 Thoughts

Tennessee Titans

Additions/players brought back:

RB Derrick Henry (franchise tag)
QB Ryan Tannehill (re-signed for four years, $118 million, $62 million guaranteed)
T Dennis Kelly (re-signed for three years, $21 million, $8.75 million guaranteed)
EDGE Vic Beasley Jr. (signed for one year, $12 million, $9.5 million guaranteed)

Losses:

Well, the Tennessee Titans are betting their immediate future on Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill! After reaching the AFC title game a year ago before falling to eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City, Tennessee put their franchise tag on Henry while signing Tannehill to a four-year $118 million deal. Tennessee also added former Pro Bowl linebacker Vic Beasley, who will be looking for a bounce-back campaign after a down 2019. The Titans also re-signed tackle Dennis Kelly, but they lost star tackle Jack Conklin, cornerback Logan Ryan, edge rusher Cameron Wake, and tight end Delanie Walker while also parting ways with former No. 2 overall draft pick and intended franchise savior Marcus Mariota. Overall, their losses look like they slightly outweigh their additions.

Let me begin by saying that I’ve been calling for the firing of head coach Bill O’Brien since the 2019 campaign ended. Not only did the Houston Texans not listen to my sage advice, but they went out and made O’Brien their GM! Oops, that was a mistake of epic proportions as O’Brien promptly traded superstar All-Pro wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins for aging running back David Johnson, mostly because of a fractured relationship he caused as we’ve recently come to find out. Houston also parted ways with veteran defensive lineman D.J. Reader and veteran cornerback Johnathan Joseph while re-signing veteran cornerback Bradley Roby, kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn, tight end Darren Fells, and quarterback A.J. McCarron. Overall, the loss of Hopkins and nothing close to equal return makes the Texans’ free agent signing period a complete bust!

The Indianapolis Colts are taking a one-year test run with veteran quarterback Philip Rivers and they made a strange trade for veteran defensive tackle DeForest Buckner by giving up the 13th pick in the draft and then giving the former 49ers star $21 million per year. Indianapolis made a smart move by re-signing veteran tackle Anthony Castonzo, but they lost tight end Eric Ebron and wide receiver Devin Funchess. Overall, I’m not very impressed.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are clearly in full rebuild mode after trading still effective veterans A.J. Bouye, Calais Campbell, and Nick Foles. Jacksonville put the franchise tag on edge rusher Yannick Ngakoue and made a pair of good additions on the defensive side of the ball by signing veteran linebacker Joe Schobert and cornerback Darqueze Dennard. For a team looking to tank and shed salary, I guess the Jags did okay in free agency, although I would have liked to see them add some more young, mid-level kind of guys with potential.

Grade: C-
Odds to Win the AFC South: +1400
Odds to Win AFC: +6600
Odds to Win Super Bowl: +15000

 

 

Previous Betting News

The AFC South is one of the deepest divisions in the 2018-2019 NFL Season. The division is so deep that two of the four teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans, have garnered favoritism. Check out more information on Jacksonville and Houston as well as the smart play and longshot odds to win the AFC South in 2018.

2018 AFC South NFL Odds & Picks

Favorite: Jacksonville Jaguars +150, Houston Texans +150

Jacksonville won the AFC South last season. Then, the Jaguars upset Pittsburgh in the AFC Divisional Playoffs to stamp their ticket to the AFC Championship. A few calls the other way and the Jags might have beaten the New England Patriots. Jacksonville had a 10-point lead late in the game.

Houston was on its way to the playoffs, no doubt, before top rookie QB Deshaun Watson blew out his knee. If Watson comes back at one-hundred percent, the Texans should have one of the top offenses in the NFL.

Both Jacksonville and Houston are logical contenders for the division. The other two teams in the division have a chance to upset the Jags and Texans, though.

Smart: Tennessee Titans +300

The Tennessee Titans offer double the odds of either the Jaguars or Texans. That alone should get NFL handicappers interested in backing Tennessee. If that wasn’t enough, here’s something: one of the biggest moves made during the offseason was Tennessee hiring offensive coordinator Matt LaFleur.

LaFleur ran the Rams’ offense last season. The Titans signed Dion Lewis to be their Todd Gurley. Quarterback Marcus Mariota comes from a vertical passing game, strong rushing attack system in Oregon. Mariota’s skills should work perfectly with LaFleur’s offense.

The Titans’ defense held opponents to less than 90 yards rushing per game. If Tennessee can get more pressure on quarterbacks, the defense will be solid. That could happen because Tennessee’s head coach is former Houston defensive coordinator Mike Vrabel.

Longshot: Indianapolis Colts +380

The Indianapolis Colts’ franchise quarterback Andrew Luck should be healthy this season. Luck is one of those players where no matter what happens during a game, he’ll always keep his team in the game. He’s that good.

The entire Indianapolis offense should be improved, especially the offensive line. On paper, the Colts defense doesn’t look special, but defenses can come together quickly with the right mix of players. Indy’s worth a look to win the division at the odds.

 

 

Previous Betting News

You may not know it, but the AFC South was one of the most competitive divisions in all of football a year ago with just one game separating the top three finishers. While the Houston Texans won the division for the second straight year, they were tied for victories by the blossoming Tennessee Titans while the Indianapolis Colts finished one game back.

Now, heading into the 2017, the AFC South looks like it’s going to be another tight race that comes down to the very wire!

Here’s a Closer Look at the Expert Picks to win the AFC South

The Favorite: Houston Texans +160

The Texans (9-7 SU, 6-9-1 ATS) won the AFC South last season, mostly because they have a phenomenal defense that ranked first overall, second against the pass, 12th against the run and 11th in points allowed (20.5 ppg). That’s the good news, combining this with the fact that Houston once again, is succeeding despite not having any kind of competent play from the quarterback position.

The bad news is that the Texans ranked a dismal 29th in total offense, an identical 29th in passing, a stellar eighth in rushing, but a pitiful 29th in scoring (17.4 ppg). Then again, there’s more good news that comes in the form of Houston landing what I believe is a true future superstar in former Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson with the 12th overall pick in the draft.

Watson is a special leader and has a chance to be great at some point in the near future. I also like veteran quarterback Tom Savage who should open the season as the starter under center. In addition to that, Houston has a pair of elite wide receivers in veteran DeAndre Hopkins and second-year wideout Will Fuller, although Fuller got the ‘dropsies’ during several games this past year.

Houston also has a very good running back in veteran, Lamar Miller who rushed for 1,073 yards in his first season with the team in 2016 and they added some power to pair with Miller by nabbing former Texas running back D’Onta Foreman in the third round. With the return of former Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt and continued growth of former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney, Houston looks like they’ll have a great chance to repeat as division champs in 2017.

The Smart Pick: Tennessee Titans +180

For me, Marcus Mariota and the Tennessee Titans (9-7 SU, 7-9 ATS) are the ‘smart’ pick to win the AFC South after racking up nine wins last year, even with Mariota going down with a season-ending injury in Week 15. The Titans finished the 2016 campaign ranked a solid 11th in total offense, and a stupendous third in rushing (136.7 ypg), although their 25th-ranked passing attack seriously needs an upgrade. Tennessee finished last season ranked 14th in scoring (23.8 ppg) and had one of the best drafts of any team in the league.

The Titans added gifted former Western Michigan superstar wideout Corey Davis with the fifth overall pick in the draft and nabbed stud cornerback/returner Adoree Jackson with the 18th overall pick. While Tennessee needs to improve a defense that ranked 20th overall and a dismal 30th against the pass, although they did play fantastic defense against the run to finish second in rushing yards allowed (88.3 ypg) while also finishing a respectable 17th in points allowed (23.6 ppg).

More importantly, Marcus Mariota is clearly a franchise signal-caller that looks like he’s poised for greatness moving forward as he enters his third year. Last season, Mariota completed an impressive 62.5 percent of his red-zone passes, and he’s never thrown a single red-zone interception in his two seasons (33 Tds, 0 INTs).

In addition to drafting Davis fifth overall, Tennessee also drafted a receiver in the third round and a tight end in the fourth while signing sure-handed veteran wide receiver Eric decker to help improve their passing attack. For me, the Titans are not only the ‘smart’ pick to win the AFC South in 2017, but they could be the favorites as well.

Tennessee Titans Team Statistics

The Longshot: Jacksonville Jaguars +580

Jacksonville (3-13 SU, 8-8 ATS) was a complete and utter mess on offense last season as they finished the 2016 campaign ranked 23rd in total offense, 20th in passing, 22nd in rushing and 25th in scoring (19.9 ppg). That’s the bad news. The good news is that Jacksonville made a really smart hire by bringing in former head coach and two-time Super Bowl winner, Tom Coughlin to run their football operations.

The Jags then drafted powerful former LSU running back Leonard Fournette with the fourth overall pick in the draft and made a series of wise offseason additions by bringing in three new defensive starters in end Calais Campbell, cornerback A.J. Bouye and safety Barry Church.

While veteran tackle Branden Albert recently retired after signing the veteran in free agency, Jacksonville clearly has a new and improved mindset under Coughlin than they ever did under former head coach Gus Bradley.

Jacksonville needs to improve a defense that ranked 25th in points allowed last season (25.0 ppg) and they definitely need to part ways with mostly pitiful quarterback Blake Bortles, but overall, they’ve improved their chances for success exponentially this offseason, even if they are a really longshot to win the AFC South.

 

 

Previous Betting News

In spite of ranking in the bottom half of the league in offensive categories such as points scored, passing yards and total yards per game in 2015; the Houston Texans still managed to come out on top in the middling AFC South division, thanks a slew of injuries in the rest of the division, subpar competition (from the likes of Tennessee and Jacksonville) and a mean 7th-ranked scoring defense led by reigning and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. With the Houston defense set to return with its key pieces intact and upgrades made all over the offense in the offseason, the Texans appear to the early NFL betting favorites in the 2016 AFC South title race. But will the Texans manage to fend off competition from the equally improved divisional trio of Indy, Tennessee and Jacksonville? Get the entire lowdown plus free online NFL picks in the brief analysis below.

Here’s a Closer Look at the 2016 AFC South Expert Picks

The Favorite Betting Pick To Win the AFC South: Indianapolis Colts (+125)

The richest player in NFL history, Andrew Luck, and the Colts are hoping that the 2016 season will be kinder to them, especially in the injury department after the 2015 campaign was hampered by costly injuries all over the squad, including Luck’s lacerated kidney that saw him miss half of the season. Ahead of the new season, Indy overhauled parts of its offensive coaching staff and used nearly all its 2016 draft picks on offensive linemen. With that, Luck is expected to have better protection as he seeks to return Indy back to the summit of the AFC South.

Assuming Luck is healthy throughout the season, it is safe to say that the Colts will do better than their iffy offense in 2015, with the likes of Phillip Dorsett, T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief able to receive plenty of targets. Even so, the Colts didn’t seem to invest enough in solving the problems from their oft-troubled defense that allowed a whopping 379 yards per game and surrendered the 7th-most points in the league in 2015. If the Colts do not show improvements in the defense real soon, the team could be in big trouble against all the members of the AFC South division, who all have solid quarterbacks that are well-capable of exploiting their chances against less-than- average defenses.

The Smartest Betting Pick To Win the AFC South: Houston Texans (+180)

With former Denver quarterback Brock Osweiler under the center and a host of targets to exploit– including rookie WRs Will Fuller and Braxton Miller, mainstay receiver DeAndre Hopkins (team-best 1521 yards and 11 TDs in 2015) and free agent running back Lamar Miller– the Texans are almost guaranteed to play better offensive football than they did last season.

Meanwhile, the likes of Watt, former No. 1 overall pick Jadeveon Clowney and Co. should keep the Houston defense on song, hence giving the Texans a complete and balanced outlook on both sides of the ball. So, although the Colts are the odds-on favorites in the 2016-17 AFC South title betting lines, the Texans should be duly considered as very serious title contenders, particularly if they can stay healthy.

The Longshot Betting Pick To Win the AFC South: Jacksonville Jaguars (+250)

While there is a lot to be happy about Tennessee’s running game (dual-threat QB Marcus Mariota combining with former NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray and 2015 Heisman Winner Derrick Henry), the Titans don’t look the part of being able to make a breakout in 2016, given that the AFC South is tougher than ever before and the Tennessee defense still has some big questions that need to be addressed before they can be considered as legit title contenders. At best, therefore, you can expect 2 to 4 more wins in Tennessee’s 2015.

If you are looking for a legitimate longshot, the Jags appear to be the readier team. I know Jacksonville is streaking on five of fewer wins in each of their last five seasons and winning on the road has been a big issue for this franchise, but with the improvements we saw last year, the Jags could be onto something. For starters, in just his second year in the NFL, quarterback Blake Bortles shattered several franchise records in the passing game, including passing yards, pass attempts, pass completions and TDs in a single season. With a much-improved defense– from the addition of players like Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack and the return of 2015 first-round draft pick Dante Fowler to full health–and the Allen duo (Robinson and Hurns) continuing to build their already-solid chemistry with the ever-improving Bortles; the Jags could easily have a season north of the .500 mark and strongly challenge Indy and Houston for the AFC South title.

2016 AFC South Predictions

Taking away the injury-laden 2015 season that didn’t really give a true picture of Indy, the Colts dominated the AFC South with back-to- back 6-0 sweeps of the division in 2013 and 2014, underscoring their class. I don’t expect a sweep in 2016 even if Luck is healthy, but the class should be able to show, especially if the defense gets its act together. That said, the Texans and the Jags won’t be far off, while Tennessee will cause headaches all season. In the end, the finally standings should be really close, especially atop the division. My final predictions? Indy finishes with a division-leading 10-6 mark, followed by Houston at 9-7, Jacksonville at 8-8 and Tennessee coming last with a 5-win or 6-win season.

My 2016 AFC South Winning Pick: Indianapolis

 

 

Previous Betting News

The Super Bowl 51 betting lines have been released, and while they will surely change as the season progresses, the early odds indicate which divisions may be stronger than others. The once division that seems to offer up more potential dark horses than all the rest is the AFC South, and that is perhaps because all four teams in there are evenly matched. That said, it may also have to do with how these teams have been either inconsistent or downright rotten over the past few years. Someone has to win this thing, and for the first time in as long as anyone can remember, one of the teams in here may just be a surprising legitimate contender to wear the AFC South crown. Let’s take a look at all 4 teams, with the NFL odds beside their name being the current odds for them to win the division.

Take A Loook at our Special AFC South 2016 Season NFL Odds & Picks Report

Indianapolis Colts (EVEN)

An 8-8 finish for the Colts last season may, on the face of it, seem like a disappointment, but it’s worth remembering that QB Andrew Luck missed 9 games last year. You have to wonder what this team might have done had he been in the fold all season long, and their success or failure this time around is likely going to depend on his ability to stay upright and healthy. That said, they are also going to have to see a vast improvement in their running game and their defensive play of they are to be considered a serious threat. They should win this division if Luck stays healthy.

Houston Texans (+200)

The Texans are a team that have been defensively sound for quite some time, thanks in no small part to the play of J.J. Watt. Their downfall in recent years has been their ability to find a reliable QB to lead the offense, and they think they may finally have solved that issue. The Texans threw a lot of money at former Peyton Manning back-up Brock Osweiler, and if he can deliver the goods, this might just be a team that is a legitimate threat to make the playoffs and go deep.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+250)

Long considered to be one of the running jokes in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars spent the offseason serving notice that they are ready to step up and compete this coming season. At 5-11 last year, the Jags didn’t really come close to putting together their first winning season since 2007. They believe that they have a franchise QB in Blake Bortles, and they have spent a lot of money on the offseason to bring in players who they believe give that young man the best shot at success. If this lot can gel quickly, the Jaguars may just win on a regular basis.

Tennessee Titans (+900)

Rookie QB Marcus Mariota showed some real signs of brilliance last season, but it was also made very obvious that the kid needs some help. The Titans aim to do that by boosting their running game, which they did by signing free agent DeMarco Murray, and drafting Heisman winner Derrick Henry. That should help alleviate some of the pressure on Mariota, but this team is still a long way off from being able to compete for a division title.

 

 

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Questions abound when it comes to picking the likely winner of the AFC South Division in 2016. First, after snapping the Indianapolis Colts’ two-year run as division champs, can the Houston Texans repeat and take the next step toward becoming legitimate Super Bowl title contenders. Second, after failing to win the AFC South for the first time since 2012, will the Indianapolis Colts get back to being the dominant team they’ve become accustomed to?

Next up…can the Jacksonville Jaguars build on their impressive finish to the 2015 season and get back to being a ‘respectable’ NFL franchise after years of struggles? And, last but not least, can the Tennessee Titans fix their myriad problems while keeping prized second-year signal-caller Marcus Mariota upright and uninjured? Let’s find out the answers to all four questions right now!

Early 2016 AFC South NFL Betting Prediction – Can Texans Take Next Step, Will Colts Rule Again?

Indianapolis Colts

The Indianapolis Colts took a big step backwards in 2015 despite being expected to be one of the top contenders in the AFC. Still, the Colts should be able to get right back to being a double-digit win team as they experienced an injury-riddled campaign that would have ruined any team’s chances of having a successful season.

Andrew Luck will be fully healthy after missing seven games last season, but Indy addressed their offensive line woes by drafting center Ryan Kelly in the first round and two more offensive linemen in the third ad fifth rounds respectively. Four division games against Jacksonville and Tennessee, combined with matchups against mediocre Detroit, San Diego, Chicago, lead me to believe Indy will win 10 games to take the AFC South division crown.

Houston Texans

Bill O’Brien has been absolutely phenomenal in leading Houston to consecutive nine-win seasons despite not having a legitimate starting quarterback either season. Now, with Brock Osweiler set to take over, the Texans could soar to even higher heights in 2016.

Houston added a pair of wide receivers that should contribute right away in Will Fuller and Braxton Miller and a center that could make his way into the starting lineup immediately in Nick Martin. The Texans also added veteran offensive lineman Jeff Allen and underrated former Miami Dolphins running back Lamar Miller to replace former franchise star Arian Foster.

Will Osweiler sink or swim as a full-time starter? Can Miller replace the talented, but oft-injured Foster’s productivity? Only time will tell, but right now, I’m thinking the Texans are looking at their third consecutive nine-win season and a second place finish in the AFC South in 2016.

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars played some hella’ good football late last season in winning three of their final eight games and suffering four of those five losses by six points or less. Now, Jacksonville will look to take the next step in their evolution, but they face a juggernaut of a schedule in 2016.

The Jags did have a fantastic draft by nabbing defensive back Jalen Ramsey with the fifth overall pick before selecting gifted linebacker Myles Jack with the fifth pick in the second round. Not only that, but Jacksonville will have linebacker Dante Fowler back on the field after he tore his ACL on the first day of minicamp a year ago, not to mention they signed the best defensive player in free agency this offseason in veteran defensive lineman Malik Jackson. Still, the Jags face a hard way to go in 2016 with non-division dates against the Packers, Ravens, Chiefs, Broncos and Vikings on the docket. The Jags are heading in the right direction, but I have them winning seven games at best and more likely five or six.

Tennessee Titans (5.5)

The Tennessee Titans will turn to Mike Mularkey to lead them back to respectability I 2016 and beyond and I say that’s not the worst move they could make, although I’m not real high on the former Bills head coach. The Titans also made a smart decision to trade the No. 1 pick in the draft for a bounty of picks. Mularkey addressed Tennessee’s need to keep prized signal-caller Marcus Mariota upright and healthy by drafting tackle Jack Conklin with the eighth overall pick while shoring up their defensive line and running game by nabbing a pair of defensive linemen and former Alabama star running back Derrick Henry all in the second round.

Tennessee also traded for veteran running back DeMarco Murray, but that makes the drafting of Henry, a Murray clone, in the second round, look foolish. The Titans went 2-7 under Mularkey as interim head coach last season and I just don’t see them improving all that much this coming season despite their bevy of offseason transactions and impressive draft. Tennessee faces the same gauntlet of NFC North and AFC West teams that each AFC South resident does. Unfortunately, they simply don’t have the talent to beat many of them. Right now, I’m thinking four or five wins at best sounds about right!