2023-09-04 16:30:00
The Jacksonville Jaguars are going into the new season as division favorites following losing out in the playoffs last year. Meanwhile, how far can the defense carry the Titans? And with the Texans and the Colts, it will be exciting to see how the two rookie quarterbacks fare in their freshman year. The AFC South in the kicker check.
Looking to make a splash in the AFC South are Texans rookie CJ Stroud, Colts rookie Anthony Richardson, new Tennessee titan DeAndre Hopkins and Jaguars passer Trevor Lawrence. alliance pictures (4)
Houston Texans (last year 3:13:1): It’s regarding development
With CJ Stroud and Will Anderson, the Texans picked two of the biggest talents in this year’s draft, coming second and third respectively. After the last few years of euphoria, a new wind should be blowing from now on – and that too in the long term. The Texans have also signed a former player and one of the brightest young head coaches in DeMeco Ryans. Nevertheless, expectations should be low, because Houston is at the beginning of the rebuilding process, so you shouldn’t expect miracles in the coming regular season.
A good offensive line and the commitments of tight end Dalton Schultz (formerly Cowboys) and wide receiver Robert Woods (ex-Titan) should help to provide the young arsenal of weapons around John Metchie, who is returning from leukemia, with somewhat established quality. Ideally, this should also help with the evaluation and development of playmaker Stroud, who will ultimately become and be the flagship of the franchise in the coming years. If the young players in the Texans roster develop in the desired direction, the conclusion at the end of the season should be correspondingly positive.
Indianapolis Colts (previous year 4:12:1): Is Anthony Richardson the long-awaited QB answer?
The Colts have been on the hunt for a new franchise quarterback since Andrew Luck retired in 2019. With Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz and most recently Matt Ryan, four different starters have filled the most important position in Indianapolis football over the past four years. In this year’s draft, the Indiana franchise has selected Anthony Richardson – an “athletic freak,” as he is often called, who has broken all records in the NFL Combine – as the fourth pick. He has already been announced as a starter for the upcoming season and should fill the last vacant quarterback position for as long as possible.
Quarterback hope for the Indianapolis Colts: Anthony Richardson. usa today etc
The number one topic for the Colts in the past few weeks, however, was the situation surrounding running back Jonathan Taylor, who is said to be dissatisfied and has called for a trade – so far without success. The team comes along with a well-manned offensive line, a decent receiving corps around Michael Pitman Jr. and a defense that has quality especially on the line. DeForest Buckner and Grower Steward form a complementary defensive tackle duo, flanked by the talented Kwity Paye and San Francisco-signed Samson Ebukam at the edge position. Should Shaq Leonard finally stay fit once more on linebacker, you also have a real difference player there. The demands in Indy should be reduced a little following the last few years, in which people have often lagged behind their own wishes. But there is a lot of potential in the team.
Tennessee Titans (previous year 7:10): How far can the defense go?
Like the two previous teams, the Titans also strengthened the quarterback position in the draft. However, Will Levis, second-round pick, should first sit on the bench and learn from experienced starting quarterback Ryan Tannehill. The circumstances for a young, inexperienced passer aren’t the best with the Titans anyway. Even following Peter Skoronski’s draft commitment, the offensive line is an element of uncertainty, the ensemble of pass receivers was considered by quite a few to be the weakest in the league. Those responsible also reacted accordingly and signed DeAndre Hopkins, one of the most productive receivers of the last ten years. With the star’s signing, the Titans are hoping for veteran presence and qualities they’ve lacked so far. The identity of the offense should and will continue to be the running game around star running back Derrick Henry.
03 Aug 202301:33:04 hours
#59: Preview NFC/AFC South – our X-Factors!
Now you can count the weeks until the start of the season on one hand. Kucze, Detti and Grille look to the NFC and AFC South today. Which secret weapons must be fired in the respective teams so that the next few months will be a success? Where are the greatest strengths and weaknesses? Answer the three questions from the community – listen! The next edition of “Icing the kicker” will be available on August 17th. We continue with our previews with the NFC & AFC East. Photo Credit: IMAGO/ZUMA Wire
How regarding the defense? Last season, Tennessee pulled off the feat of having the best run defense in the league with just 76.9 allowed rushing yards, but also the worst passing defense in the league at 274.8 yards. So that Jeffery Simmons, who is one of the best interior defense linemen in the league, does not have to be on his own once more, the signing of Arden Key and the return of Harold Landry following a cruciate ligament rupture should also help in the pass rush following a season marked by injuries progress can be seen once more. The same applies to the secondary, where some players return. In addition, Sean Murphy-Bunting, a cornerback, was hired to prevent a similar performance in pass defense as in 2022/23.
Jacksonville Jaguars (previous year 9: 8): Is Lawrence pushing into the QB elite?
Since Trevor Lawrence has been in the NFL, he has evolved year following year. In the past season he reached the play-offs for the first time in his second year with the Jaguars, failed there, however, to the Kansas City Chiefs. After Lawrence’s freshman year caused turmoil over head coach Urban Meyer and his numerous missteps, Doug Pederson is entering his sophomore year as a man who once won the Super Bowl with the Eagles. Since the offense has already made a noticeable step forward in the past year, there should be the next step this year. Calvin Ridley is supposed to help.
Calvin Ridley allowed to play football once more following serving a ban for illegal betting. IMAGO/USA TODAY Network
The Florida franchise traded for the wide receiver prior to last season, despite his suspension for illegal betting. Now he joins the team and is supposed to take the arsenal of receivers Christian Kirk and Zay Jones, tight end Evan Engram and running back Travis Etienne to the next level. The departure of tackle Jawaan Taylor (Chiefs) is to be made up for by rookie Anton Harrison. And even if the offense is supposed to be the flagship of the Jags, the defense also has some building blocks to make life difficult for the opponents. With Travon Walker, the first overall pick from 2022 and edge rusher Josh Allen, there is already a lot of potential in the line. Behind them, too, are some young players with a bright future with linebacker Devon Lloyd, cornerback Tyson Campbell and safety Andre Cisco, to name just a few.
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