NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

AFC South Could Be NFL’s Best Division in 2016

By Joel Childers

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-6 to win the AFC South Division at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt (99) celebrates defeating the Jacksonville Jaguars 30-6 to win the AFC South Division at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

With offseason additions, draft picks, and development, the AFC South could be one of the NFL’s toughest divisions in 2016.

If it wasn’t for the dumpster fire that was the NFC East for most of the season, the AFC South could have been the laughing stock of the league in 2015. That could change in 2016 though, as offseason moves, draft picks, and development could bring new life into what has traditionally been one of the NFL’s weaker divisions.

Related Story: Jaguars: Dark Horse Candidate in AFC?

The Indianapolis Colts have dominated the AFC South since its creation in 2002, with nine division titles in 14 seasons. The Tennessee Titans won the first ever division title in ’02 and grabbed another in 2008, and the Houston Texans have won it three times, all in the last five years. The lowly Jacksonville Jaguars have barely even competed in the division, much less been legitimate contenders in the NFL.

That could all be set to change this year though, as every team in the AFC South has high hopes for their 2016 season.

The Houston Texans have had one of the league’s best defenses for years now and they should continue that into the next few seasons, anchored by the dominant J.J. Watt. This offseason they finally managed to piece together an offense as well, stealing Brock Osweiler away from the Broncos and Lamar Miller away from the Dolphins. Pairing these two with All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins and the already-elite defense means the Texans could be genuine contenders this season.

Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the first quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

On the flip side, the Jaguars have finally been able to put together a dominant offense in the last few years. Blake Bortles is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL, and the emergence of Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson has pushed the offense to new heights. The team was in the top 10 in passing yards and tied for third in passing touchdowns, and if T.J. Yeldon can continue to improve the offense will be scary, and that doesn’t even include the addition of former New York Jet Chris Ivory who adds a great one-two punch from the backfield.

More from AFC South

They also added Malik Jackson in the offseason and took two defensive stars in the draft in Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack. Last year’s first round pick Dante Fowler should be healthy after missing the entire 2015 season, and that means the defense will almost certainly not be as terrible as it was last year. Now the team will be able to win with its stellar offense instead of relying on the passing attack simply to keep them in games.

Over in Tennessee the Titans have paired the last two Heisman Trophy winners in Marcus Mariota and Derrick Henry while also adding 2014 NFL rushing leader DeMarco Murray in the backfield. They added help on the offensive line and the defense in the draft with a slew of picks, and should be much improved from 2015 when they had the league’s worst record. They may not be Super Bowl favorites but its hard to completely count out a team with so much firepower on offense.

Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano smiles after quarterback Josh Freeman (5) after makes a first down late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Tennessee 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Indianapolis Colts coach Chuck Pagano smiles after quarterback Josh Freeman (5) after makes a first down late in the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. Indianapolis defeats Tennessee 30-24. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports /

As for the Indianapolis Colts, they are coming off of a very disappointing 2015 campaign. Quarterback Andrew Luck couldn’t stay healthy and the offense could never find its stride with or without him. They added a lot of depth on the offensive line through the draft and that could be said as their biggest hole from last year. If they can protect Andrew Luck, he should continue to develop into one of the league’s top quarterbacks and lead the team to success.

Ultimately, every team in the AFC South improved greatly from the 2015 season, but they all have their wild cards. In Houston the new-look offense has to mesh well together for the team to have success, while Jacksonville has the same needs except on defense.

Both Tennessee and Indianapolis need their offensive lines to hold up and have to hope the limited additions they made to their defenses will hold up.

must read: Greatest Free Agent Signings Ever

The Colts, Jaguars, and Texans are all legitimate playoff contenders though, and it doesn’t seem like the Titans are going to be the pushovers this season that they may have been in the past. If you’re an AFC South fan buckle up for an exciting season of what could be one of the best divisions in football.

Home/AFC South