A capsule look at the AFC South heading into the 2025 season, with teams listed in predicted order of finish.
Houston Texans
says: Win Super Bowl, 35-1; Over-under win total, 9.5
Strengths: Quarterback C.J. Stroud’s sophomore season might be a warning to certain blue-and-orange-clad fans. Stroud had a nice second year, but didn’t challenge the elite tier at the position and his Texans had a relatively ho-hum season, finishing with the same record and another divisional round loss. He’s still very good, and the pass catchers should be improved with newcomers Christian Kirk, Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel on board.
Weaknesses: The offensive line was quite bad last year and could have five new starters. Have the Texans not been paying attention to the issues with trying to build a line through the transfer portal?
Jacksonville Jaguars
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 80-1; Over-under win total, 7.5
Strengths: New head coach Liam Coen’s track record has made him one of the brightest young coaches in the sport, and now he’s got his own team. Itap time for quarterback Trevor Lawrence to fulfill his potential. He’s got a couple of young, exciting weapons, including some new guy named Travis Hunter.
Weaknesses: The confidence level that Jacksonville will get the most out of Hunter might not be universally high, but the CU Buffs Heisman Trophy winner might just be too good to worry about that. Now, about the rest of an under-performing defense, and suspect rushing attack, and … well, the Jaguars went 4-13 last year.
Indianapolis Colts
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 100-1; Over-under win total, 7.5
Strengths: Jonathan Taylor runs for a lot of yards when healthy behind an excellent offensive line. Rookie Tyler Warren could be one of the best tight ends and a matchup nightmare in short order, joining a solid group of pass catchers. The defense was also solid last year and has two key newcomers in the secondary.
Weaknesses: This team might be a quarterback away from being a Super Bowl contender. And its current depth chart at the position is headed by Anthony Richardson and New York Giants cast-off Daniel Jones. Richardson has incredible tools, but itap getting late pretty early in his NFL career. This might be the last chance for Jones to show he can be a starter.
Tennessee Titans
BetMGM says: Win Super Bowl, 200-1; Over-under win total, 5.5
Strengths: The defensive line is pretty good. The interior of the offensive line should be good as well. Tennessee hopes new left tackle Dan Moore Jr., added in free agency from Pittsburgh, will be an improvement. And that No. 1 pick Cam Ward is going to take his first steps toward Canton on Sept. 7 when the Titans visit Denver for their Week 1 lid-lifter.
Weaknesses: Remember when Caleb Williams was the first pick and the consensus was, “Wow, QBs taken at No. 1 don’t get to walk into envious situations like this very often?” Well, thatap not the case here for Ward. This was the worst team in the league last year. Itap probably going to be one of the worst again this year — even if Ward has a nice freshman campaign.
