NFL Spin Zone
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Predicting the entire 2020 NFL season before training camp

By Cody Williams

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the defense of the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - DECEMBER 12: Quarterback Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens drops back to pass against the defense of the New York Jets at M&T Bank Stadium on December 12, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

AFC South predictions for the 2020 NFL season

Indianapolis Colts* – 9-7
Houston Texans* – 8-8
Tennessee Titans – 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2-14

If someone could label the AFC South as mediocrity personified, that would be great because it’s largely the truth looking at these four clubs in the 2020 season, save for the Jacksonville Jaguars. It’s hard to imagine a scenario where this isn’t a tough year for Duval.

Perhaps the biggest stunner of the group is the Tennessee Titans, a team that went 9-7 last year but also made it to the AFC Championship Game is out of the playoffs at 8-8 here. Put simply, Ryan Tannehill almost has to regress back to the mean this season and the offensive line is worse. When you factor that into the division getting more balanced, I don’t think they’ll be able to separate themselves.

Though Bill O’Brien the head coach has proven much more capable than Bill O’Brien the general manager, I remain skeptical of how this team is built. Deshaun Watson is great but trading DeAndre Hopkins puts the skill position group on a shaky foundation, which is also true for the defense. That’s going to lose them some close games and have them around .500 as well.

That leaves the Indianapolis Colts to get ahead of the pack, even just barely. Philip Rivers still has something left in the tank and, behind one of the league’s best offensive lines and with some new weapons, they should be able to score. The defense, however — DeForest Buckner or not — has some question marks, though, that leave me putting a cap on just how good the Colts will be.

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