2023 AFC South Prediction

By: Garret Kryzanowski

Today I will be predicting the AFC South division. Now, this division is going to be arguably the worst in the NFL this upcoming season. This makes it almost an easy prediction.

What I mean by easy prediction is that the two bottom teams in this division are easy to pick. But what is the order going to be? It will be close but the Houston Texans will finish last in the AFC South. They have a rookie quarterback in 2023 second overall pick CJ Stroud. They are also being led by a rookie head coach in DeMeco Ryans. Ryans will be a great NFL head coach but the lack of help around Stroud will lead to a last place finish this season.

Just because I have the Texans finishing fourth doesn't mean it won't be a close fight between them and the third place team, the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts also have a rookie quarterback this season in fourth overall pick Anthony Richardson and rookie head coach in Shane Steichen. The reason I have the Colts finishing higher is they have the better supporting cast around their rookie quarterback. The Colts have Michael Pittman Jr and Alec Pierce at receiver to help Richardson. This will help the Colts push ahead of the Texans this season.

So who will finish second?

The answer, the Tennessee Titans. The Titans have a very good head coach in Mike Vrabel and that is why they have been so competitive the last five seasons. At quarterback however, they have the incredibly average Ryan Tannehill. While at running back they have the former all pro Derrick Henry. Sadly I believe Henry's best seasons are behind him and the mileage is catching up to him. Running backs have a shirt NFL lifespan and Henry is nearing the end of his premium usage. They also brought in Deandre Hopkins to not only mentor Treylon Burks but to help Tannehill not be so mediocre. That won't be the case as the Titans will once again finish second and miss the playoffs in the upcoming 2023 season.

That just leaves the Jacksonville Jaguars. The team that had back to back first overall draft picks will now be back to back AFC South champions. This turnaround has all started with there head coach, Doug Pederson. He is a very good coach and he has allowed the Jaguars to be more stable and in the best position as a team we've seen in years. Another key reason is their generational talent at quarterback, Trevor Lawrence. Lawrence took a massive jump last season and is projected to be even better this upcoming season. A big part of the hype around Lawrence is all the talent around him. They have Travis Etienne Jr at running back as well as Christian Kirk, Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones at receiver. They are loaded on offense and for that reason I believe they can be a top ten offense.

The division itself may be weak but the Jacksonville Jaguars are not. That is why they will win the AFC South in 2023.