NFL Predictions 2018: AFC Division, Wild Card winners

Wild Card 1

Houston Texans

I am confident in the Texans’ ability to make the playoffs this year. Deshaun Watson and J.J. Watt should be back and healthy and that’s all they really need to turn everything around. On offense, DeAndre Hopkins is the second best receiver in the NFL by my estimation, and Lamar Miller and D’Onta Foreman will be a strong rushing duo.

The defense has been strong for years with a solid secondary and scary front seven. Houston will make a run at the Jags, but come up short winning this consolation prize.

Wild Card 2

Tennessee Titans

I am far less confident with this pick, but I’m giving a slight edge to a third AFC South team making the playoffs. The rushing attack and talented, young defense could be enough to edge out the other flawed contenders. I expect the Ravens, Dolphins and one of those teams from the West to be in the mix, but fall just short.

The Ravens will be eager to get Lamar Jackson in there and will deal with growing pains in a transitional season. The Dolphins will be much better than anticipated, but there are almost no expectations for them going into this season, despite looking a lot more like the 2016 version of themselves than the 2017 one in a weak overall division. Any team in the West could win anywhere from 5-11 games. Maybe two can manage to get closer to their ceiling than floor.