On Sunday, the NFL released its 2019 NFL season schedule. As it is every year, the schedule release was highly anticipated and exciting for NFL fans all around the world. Before the draft, NFL Fan Blitz will predict the standings in each division. This edition of “2019 Pre-NFL Draft Divisional Standings” will focus on the AFC South.
Key: (#)=conference seed, *=playoff contender
Predicted Standings:
(4)* Jacksonville Jaguars: 11-5
(6)* Houston Texans: 10-6
(7) Indianapolis Colts: 10-6
(13) Tennessee Titans: 5-11
Jaguars: Two seasons ago, the Jacksonville Jaguars made it all the way to the AFC Championship game, in which they barely lost to the New England Patriots in a thrilling game. Many NFL analysts projected the Jags to have a similar season last year, but because of a combination of poor quarterback play and many other things, they ended up finishing 5-11. Doug Marrone remains the head coach, but he now has the magic of Nick Foles on his side. Foles, a fantastic clutch-time performer, should be able to get his new team back onto the top of the AFC South.
Texans: It will be interesting to see how the Texans do this season. The teams in Houston have been anything but consistent during the Bill O’Brien-era, as they seemingly find themselves making and then the following year falling short of the playoffs. If they can play well enough this season, they have a fair shot at winning the division, but otherwise, expect them to earn a Wild-Card playoff spot. A major part of their success will rely on the players staying healthy, too.
Colts: Last year, Andrew Luck, Frank Reich and the Colts were able to find their way to the Divisional Round of the playoffs. However, this year, the competition in the AFC South will be tougher. As a result of tiebreakers and Wild-Card positioning, there is a chance Indy will fall just barely short of the playoffs this season.
Titans: In Week 17 of last season, the Blaine Gabbert-led Tennessee Titans faced off against the Colts, with the winner earning the final Wild-Card spot in the AFC. Indianapolis pulled ahead towards the end of that game, going on to earn that playoff spot. Due to the high-level competition in the AFC South this year, as well as a tough schedule, it seems as if the Titans won’t get close to the playoffs this upcoming season.
