2013 NFL Predictions: AFC South Division Odds and Picks – Texans the Favorite

2013 NFL Predictions: AFC South Division Odds and Picks – Texans the Favorite: When Peyton Manning was under center for Indianapolis, the Colts could basically be penciled in as champions of the AFC South. Since he has been out of the picture, the Houston Texans have taken command of the division to the tune of back-to-back AFC South crowns. Of course, last year’s division title proved to be a little tougher to come by than expected as the Colts reemerged as a contender thanks to the play of rookie quarterback Andrew Luck. Heading into the 2013 NFL season, the battle for supremacy in the AFC South seems to be heating up. With that in mind, here is a closer look at how the division stacks up.

1.      Houston Texans (Prediction: 11-5)

Houston has taken control of the AFC South in the absence of Peyton Manning, and it should be more of the same in 2013. Running back Arian Foster and receiver Andre Johnson or two of the best at their positions, and quarterback Matt Schaub is plenty reliable under center. In addition to the cornerstones, the Texans added athletic receiver DeAndre Hopkins in the first-round of the draft, giving the team a potential No. 2 option in the passing game. Meanwhile, defending Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt leads a solid defense that should only be better thanks to the return of linebacker Brian Cushing and the addition of veteran safety Ed Reed. Add it up, and Houston has too much talent on both sides of the ball not to win the division.

2.      Indianapolis Colts (Prediction: 10-6)

Considering the Colts went from 2-14 in 2011 to 11-5 and in the playoffs last year, I still don’t know how quarterback Andrew Luck wasn’t the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Regardless, it appears Indianapolis has a new franchise QB to build around, and after Luck basically carried the offense as a rookie, the team should only get better as he and all the other young players mature and improve. Throw in the free agent additions of running back Ahmad Bradshaw, offensive tackle Gosder Cherilus, safety LaRon Landry and defensive tackle Aubrayo Franklin, and Indianapolis got a little better on both sides of the ball. Baring an unexpected sophomore slump, the Colts should be in the thick of the wild card hunt once again this year.

3.      Tennessee Titans (Prediction: 6-10)

If football is won in the trenches, the Titans took a big step in the right direction during the offseason. Tennessee drafted guard Chance Warmack in the first round and added guard Adam Levitre in free agency, upgrading the interior of the offensive line in a big way. The Titans also added running back Shonn Greene to add a little thunder to Chris Johnson’s lightning. On the defensive side of the ball, Tennessee signed tackle Sammie Hill to bolster the middle. Of course, the upgrades along both lines will only go so far if quarterback Jake Locker can’t become a consistent performer. He has the size, arm strength and mobility to make plays, but he hasn’t been able to put it all together. More importantly, there has been nothing to suggest that the switch will suddenly flip in 2013.

4.      Jacksonville Jaguars (Prediction: 3-13)

Let’s start with the good news. Running back Maurice Jones-Drew is back, and in his last full season, he led the NFL in rushing. Meanwhile, Jacksonville added to immediate starters in the draft by snagging offensive tackle Luke Joeckel and safety Jonathan Cyprien in the first two rounds. As for the bad news, either Blaine Gabbert or Chad Henne is going to be under center, which basically ensures the offense will be miserable once again. Of course, it doesn’t help that receiver Justin Blackmon will be suspended for the first four games and can’t seem to stay out of trouble. Plain and simple, Jacksonville is a bad team, and it is going to take a few more years before anything gets better.

Odds to win the AFC Southj
Houston Texans win AFC South -220
Indianapolis Colts win AFC South +275
Tennessee Titans win AFC South +930
Jacksonville Jaguars win AFC South +3500

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