AFC South News, Notes & Betting Odds

Indianapolis Colts 7-9 last year, 3rd place in the AFC South 

-Season win total this year 9 -110, -110

-Odds to win AFC South +110 favorite

-Odds to win AFC 12-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 25-1

-Odds to make playoffs -200

-Bringing in Philip Rivers tells you all you need to know about the mindset of the Colt's front office and coaching staff. They are looking to win now. This was a team that was built to do that last year before Andrew Luck announced his retirement weeks before the season started. Jacoby Brissett filled in admirably, but that was a really tough situation. 

-This team goes from 7-9 to now the favorites to win the Division. 

-They bring in All Pro DT DeForest Buckner which should give them a very solid foundation up front. 

-They lose Adam Vinatieri, which is actually addition by subtraction unfortunately for him. He cost them at least 2 games last year, so their special teams should be vastly improved. 

-Frank Reich continues to impress in just his 3rd year as HC. He is just 18-16, but again, was put into a very difficult situation last year, and but for Vinatieri, this could have easily been a playoff team. 

Houston Texans 10-6 last year; 1st in the AFC South

-Season Win total this year 7.5 -110, -110

-Odds to win AFC South +350 

-Odds to win AFC 25-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 50-1

-Odds to make Playoffs +145

-Bill O'Brien...All the guy does is keep winning between 9-11 games every year, winning divisions, and getting his team to the playoffs, so he gets to keep coming back. Hard to believe he has a 52-44 record and 4 division championships in 7 seasons with the team. 

-Along with his many questionable coaching decisions over the years, he made arguably his most controversial decision of all as GM this offseason by trading all-world WR DeAndre Hopkins to the Cardinals for David Johnson. All indications were that it was simply a clash of personalities and O'Brien eventually won out. 

-They also bring in WR Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks, so DeShawn Watson should at least have some deep threats to play with this year. 

-Many are calling for a MVP type of season from Watson, and he is currently 25-1 to win the award. Losing Hopkins, and having so many moving parts both on the offensive line and his skill positions will make it difficult, but it's hard to ever doubt Watson's ability to win football games. 

Tennessee Titans 9-7 last year, 2nd in the AFC South 

-Season win total this year 8.5 -130, +100

-Odds to win AFC South +175

-Odds to win AFC 14-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 30-1

-Odds to make playoffs -150

-To everyone's surprise last year, this team made a run to the AFC Title game and were ahead by double digits, before Patrick Mahomes led the Chiefs back. 

-There's a lot to like about this Titans team, returning 10 offensive starters and 9 on defense. They also bring in former all-pro Vic Beasley from Atlanta, along with Jonnathan Joseph and Jack Crawford. 

-Tannenhill gave them a spark replacing Mariota last year and it was contagious amongst the entire team. The question is...now that he was given the big contract and comes into the season as the guy, with massive expectations, how will he perform?

-Despite last year's success, the market is still not giving this Titans team the respect they feel they deserve. They are barely predicted to win 9 games, and are not even favored to win the division. 

-Backup QB is something to watch...for now it's Logan Woodside or Cole McDonald. Not exactly names you want to go into battle with. So, if Tannehill goes down...lookout. 

Jacksonville Jaguars 6-10 last year, last place in the AFC South 

-Season win total this year 4.5 -125, +110

-Odds to win AFC South 20-1

-Odds to win AFC 70-1

-Odds to win Super Bowl 150-1

-Odds to make playoffs +800

-Let's just say...this could be a tough year for the Jags. The rumors are already beginning that they are tanking for the opportunity to draft Trevor Lawrence in next year's draft. 

-Their 4.5 season win total is one of the lowest ones in the last 10 years, and they are 20-1 to even win their own division. 

-They lost probably their best player in Calais Campbell, as well as CB AJ Bouye. 

-For some reason they decided to retain HC Doug Marrone despite a 24-29 record with the Jags, and a 39-46 overall record. Likely because they know they are going to fire him at the end of the season, so why bring in an entire new coaching staff prior to next season.

-This will be Marrone's last year with the Jags in all likelihood. They will fire his entire coaching staff and bring in new blood along with a fresh crop of draft picks for the 2021 season. I would be very careful in backing this team early in the year, as the motivation to win games may not be there from upper management. It will be a wait and see approach early on.