We are counting down the days until the start of the 2024 NFL Season as training camps have begun for all NFL teams. There were some major switch ups this offseason regarding big names moving to new teams and legendary coaches – Bill Belichick and Pete Carroll – being relieved of their duties. On top of that, tons of franchise players were taken in the draft. Let’s get caught up with our 2024 AFC South preview.
Last Year
The Houston Texans were one of the best stories of the 2024 football season and they were a few plays away from being in the AFC Championship Game. C.J. Stroud turned out to be the best pick of the draft as the Texans have finally closed the door on the Deshaun Watson era and they look like geniuses as they had a revolving door of head coaches which ultimately ended with DeMeco Ryans falling in their laps. But this has turned into a stacked division. The Jags are never too far behind, despite Trevor Lawrence being shut down towards the end of the year with a major injury. The Colts suffered the same fate when they lost rookie Anthony Richardson in Week 1 and had to turn to Gardner Minshew who led them the rest of the way and nearly got the Colts into the postseason. At the very bottom were the Tennessee Titans who shocked the league by firing Mike Vrabel who looked like he was going to take the Titans on a run just a few years ago but instead never had a very healthy or overly talented roster which also led to the departure of Derrick Henry in free agency which will look quite bizarre this season in Nashville.
Favorite to win in 2024
Everyone loves the Texans and why not? C.J. Stroud looks like the next best quarterback in the NFL, and they did a nice job this offseason stocking him with big time weapons in the ground game and through the air. But you can’t really count out the Jags or Colts who have two good head coaches and each are ready to show the league that their quarterbacks are just as good as Stroud. Houston will be favored but this is a division that may not have a winner until Week 17 or 18.
Offensive Player to Watch: Stefon Diggs
One of the biggest names that was moved this offseason was Diggs who Buffalo had grown tired of and wanted to give a fresh start. If Stroud gets the Diggs of two-years ago with a positive attitude, God bless to the opposing secondaries trying to slow this team down.
Defensive Player to Watch: Travon Walker
The Jags invested the number one overall pick in Travon Walker ahead of Aidan Hutchinson three drafts ago and last year he showed that he can be just as good with a 10-sack season. He needs to keep seasons like that going if he wants to avoid the bust title.
Prediction
The Texans had two fantastic offseason moves and they get a C.J. Stroud that has dusted off his rookie cobwebs and knows what it takes to win in the NFL. I think Houston will make a deep run in the AFC in 2024. Record (10-7)