Are you ready for some football? We are going to blink, and the 2025 NFL season will be upon us as training camps for all 32 teams have started. There is plenty to dive into this year with quarterbacks switching teams, major coaches making a return, and plenty of teams getting much better, while some probably needed some more help. Here is our 2025 AFC South preview.
Last Year
One pony division. That’s the best way to describe the AFC South. It was the Texans and then mediocre play from the rest of the division. Houston took the South with 10 wins and then impressed in the opening round of the playoffs, blowing past the Chargers before coming up short against the Chiefs in the Divisional Round. But a sophomore slump from CJ Stroud and some major injuries made it a difficult season at times. The Colts finished second, but there was constant drama at the QB position that was hard to watch, and Shane Steichen is likely on the hot seat entering his third year. The Jaguars took a major step back in 2024, prompting them to fire Doug Pederson. And to round it off, Trevor Lawrence was lost for most of the season. The Titans were atrocious. The first pick is overall atrocious. Turns out that life without Mike Vrabel wasn’t so easy. Will Levis is done, and Cam Ward now takes over the offense in Nashville.
Favorite to win in 2025
It’s hard to call any team but the Texans the favorite in 2025. Their biggest weakness was offense, and they hired a new coordinator in the offseason and added around C.J. Stroud. The one thing I question is their offensive line. They got rid of Laremy Tunsil in a confusing move and that might be a huge blow for Stroud who needs a comfortable pocket to put up the numbers he did during his rookie year. The Colts added Daniel Jones to their QB conversation, and I’m not sure that’s enough to move the needle for me. I think this will really be a telling year for Trevor Lawrence who gets Liam Coen as his head coach and that should revolutionize the offense and add some serious firepower and maybe a couple of wins.
Offensive Player to Watch: Anthony Richardson
This is a make it or break it year for AR15. He was benched at different times last year. He admitted to pulling himself from a game because he got tired. These aren’t things you want out of a QB you spent a top five pick on. Richardson will either make Indy successful or get everyone in the office fired. If he can’t outplay Daniel Jones, there are serious problems.
Defensive Player to Watch: Travon Walker
Walker was drafted first overall, taken before Aidan Hutchinson. But Hutch gets far more attention and praise. Walker hasn’t been in a great situation, but this could be the year where he turns head and demands a big contract next offseason.
Prediction
I’ll go with the same record that the Texans had last year to win the division again. They need to lock up on defense, but this division is one of the easiest to win and I have a hard time thinking that they will struggle. Record (10-7)