NFL Season Preview: Indianapolis Colts Favorite For AFC South

Posted on: August 17, 2022, 11:49h. 

Last updated on: August 17, 2022, 03:07h.

Michael Schwartz Read More
Expertise: Regulation, Sports Betting, Sports.

The Indianapolis Colts are a pretty big favorite to win the AFC South this season, posting current odds at -125.

Derrick Henry (l) and Jonathan Taylor.
This season Titans running back Derrick Henry (left) will face off against the Indianapolis Colts’ Jonathan Taylor (right). The two are considered the best running backs in the NFL (Image: Casino.org via Bleacher Report, Colts.com)

After not making the playoffs last season on the final day of the year, the Indianapolis Colts, with their new quarterback and same rugged defense, are favored to win the AFC South this year.

That may be a tough pill for the Tennessee Titans to swallow. They were the number one seed in the AFC last season, with the best record in the conference, only to lose to the Cincinnati Bengals in the postseason.

It looks like the AFC South will be a two-team race for the entire season. The Jacksonville Jaguars may be a future team. Houston seems like its best days are several seasons from now.

Eyes on Ryan, Taylor

It’s going on four seasons since the Colts last won a playoff game, even though expectations were high in previous years. However, the revolving door of quarterbacks the last few seasons has possibly been the difference in not reaching the team’s goals.

Now, new quarterback Matt Ryan takes over after 14 years in Atlanta. His accolades include an MVP title under his belt and a trip to the Super Bowl. At +2500 to win the Super Bowl, expectations are high in Indianapolis. The question remains how quickly it will take for Ryan to adjust to his new toys in Indianapolis.

The emergence of Jonathan Taylor as an elite running back also helps Indianapolis get an edge in the division.

Titans Still Strong

Led by running back Derrick Henry, the Tennessee Titans are looking to build off their incredible regular season from last year.

At +150 to win their division and +3000 to win the Super Bowl, the Titans make for an interesting play this season, as they likely will be in the playoffs. It’s doubtful their odds will be this long as the season progresses.

Last season, the Titans finished with the best record in the AFC, earning the number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. Unfortunately, the Titans were unable to capitalize on this. They lost their opening round matchup to the eventual AFC Champions, the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bad News, Florida, Texas

The Jacksonville Jaguars have the third-best odds to win the AFC South, but at +700, they are hardly expected to challenge for the division crown.

Former Super Bowl winning coach Doug Pederson takes over after the team’s unsuccessful partial season with Urban Meyer. Former number one pick Trevor Lawrence enters season number two, but at +10000 to win the Super Bowl, the odds would suggest that while they may be better than last year, the Jaguars are not going to contend for any titles this year.

At +2800 to win the division, the Houston Texans have the longest odds of any team in football to win their division. Sitting at +17500, they also are the biggest longshot to win the Super Bowl.

The rebuilding is on in Houston as they begin life in search of a number one pick to turn the franchise’s fortunes around.