Oh, the good ‘ol AFC South. With rumors and clouds of uncertainty surrounding the Houston Texans—who’ve won four of the last six division crowns—it looks (as of now) to be a two-team race for the division title in 2021.
Trevor Lawrence’s arrival in Jacksonville is a definite source of optimism, especially with Urban Meyer running the show, where, who knows how he’ll attempt to right the ship moving forward with one of the youngest rosters in football. With Carson Wentz now under center in Indianapolis, and Derrick Henry primed to trounce over your favorite linebacker, the Colts and Titans seemingly have the clearest path to the postseason as we sit here in May.
With that, let’s dive into the 2021 schedules for each of the four teams in the AFC South.
Tennessee Titans
Week 1: vs. Cardinals (L)
Week 2: @ Seahawks (L)
Week 3: vs. Colts (W)
Week 4: @ Jets (W)
Week 5: @ Jaguars (W)
Week 6: vs. Bills (L)
Week 7: vs. Chiefs (L)
Week 8: @ Colts (L)
Week 9: @ Rams (L)
Week 10: vs. Saints (W)
Week 11: vs. Texans (W)
Week 12: @ Patriots (W)
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: vs. Jaguars (W)
Week 15: @ Steelers (W)
Week 16: vs. 49ers (L)
Week 17: vs. Dolphins (L)
Week 18: @ Texans (W)
Record Prediction: 9-8
I envision Tennessee taking care of its own division, going 5-1 in the AFC South, but it’s their non-divisional schedule that could wear the Titans down as they battle for their second straight division crown.
The Cardinals, Chiefs, Rams, and Seahawks matchups will all represent playoff-like atmospheres for Mike Vrabel’s veteran unit. If Henry is able to stay healthy, they’ll have a shot. If the injury bug plays a role with a limited passing offense, Tennessee could find itself in trouble early.
Houston Texans
Week 1: vs. Jaguars (W)
Week 2: @ Browns (L)
Week 3: vs. Panthers (L)
Week 4: @ Bills (L)
Week 5: vs. Patriots (L)
Week 6: @ Colts (L)
Week 7: @ Cardinals (L)
Week 8: vs. Rams (L)
Week 9: @ Dolphins (L)
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: @ Titans (L)
Week 12: vs. Jets (W)
Week 13: vs. Colts (L)
Week 14: vs. Seahawks (L)
Week 15: @ Jaguars (L)
Week 16: vs. Chargers (L)
Week 17: @ 49ers (L)
Week 18: vs. Titans (L)
Record Prediction: 2-15
Houston finds themselves in a metaphoric quicksand as they meander their way into Week 1. Tyrod Taylor is set to start under center before the inevitable occurs of Davis Mills taking over the reins—but even then, there really isn’t much to be excited about. Brandin Cooks, Randall Cobb, and third-round selection Nico Collins make up a below-average receiving corps, and the loss of J.J. Watt defensively could prove costly due to his veteran presence in a rather inexperienced locker room. It’s only up from here for the Texans under newly minted general manager Nick Caserio and head coach David Culley.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Week 1: @ Texans (L)
Week 2: vs. Broncos (W)
Week 3: vs. Cardinals (L)
Week 4: @ Bengals (W)
Week 5: vs. Titans (L)
Week 6: vs. Dolphins (L)
Week 7: BYE
Week 8: @ Seahawks (L)
Week 9: vs. Bills (L)
Week 10: @ Colts (L)
Week 11: vs. 49ers (L)
Week 12: vs. Falcons (L)
Week 13: @ Rams (L)
Week 14: @ Titans (L)
Week 15: vs. Texans (W)
Week 16: @ Jets (W)
Week 17: @ Patriots (L)
Week 18: vs. Colts (L)
Record prediction: 4-13
It’s going to take time, but Jacksonville is surely on its way. Built upon a foundation of fast, physical athletes on defense, Lawrence enters on offense to become the saving grace of a franchise in dire need of wins. He and Meyer will look to develop a dynamic relationship for the next decade-plus; the Jaguars’ future depends on it.
Indianapolis Colts
Week 1: vs. Seahawks (L)
Week 2: vs. Rams (W)
Week 3: @ Titans (L)
Week 4: @ Dolphins (L)
Week 5: @ Ravens (L)
Week 6: vs. Texans (W)
Week 7: @ 49ers (W)
Week 8: vs. Titans (W)
Week 9: vs. Jets (W)
Week 10: vs. Jaguars (W)
Week 11: @ Bills (L)
Week 12: vs. Buccaneers (L)
Week 13: @ Texans (W)
Week 14: BYE
Week 15: vs. Patriots (W)
Week 16: @ Cardinals (L)
Week 17: vs. Raiders (W)
Week 18: @ Jaguars (W)
Record Prediction: 10-7
It’s the Carson Wentz show now following his trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. Gone are Philip Rivers and Jacoby Brissett, leaving Wentz on an island to produce under center for one of the more physical, exciting units in football. Jonathan Taylor seems primed for an excellent sophomore season, T.Y. Hilton is back on a one-year prove-it deal to shore up the receiver room, and the addition of Eric Fisher adjacent Quenton Nelson looks on paper like a dream scenario for the torn and battered Wentz. Add in a menacing front seven headlined by DeForest Buckner and Darius Leonard, and the Colts seem to have a leg up on the rest of their AFC South counterparts.
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