The Super Bowl 51 betting lines have been released, and while they will surely change as the season progresses, the early odds indicate which divisions may be stronger than others. The once division that seems to offer up more potential dark horses than all the rest is the AFC South, and that is perhaps because all four teams in there are evenly matched. That said, it may also have to do with how these teams have been either inconsistent or downright rotten over the past few years. Someone has to win this thing, and for the first time in as long as anyone can remember, one of the teams in here may just be a surprising legitimate contender to wear the AFC South crown. Let’s take a look at all 4 teams, with the NFL odds beside their name being the current odds for them to win the division.
Take A Loook at our Special AFC South 2016 Season NFL Odds & Picks Report
Indianapolis Colts (EVEN)
An 8-8 finish for the Colts last season may, on the face of it, seem like a disappointment, but it’s worth remembering that QB Andrew Luck missed 9 games last year. You have to wonder what this team might have done had he been in the fold all season long, and their success or failure this time around is likely going to depend on his ability to stay upright and healthy. That said, they are also going to have to see a vast improvement in their running game and their defensive play of they are to be considered a serious threat. They should win this division if Luck stays healthy.
Houston Texans (+200)
The Texans are a team that have been defensively sound for quite some time, thanks in no small part to the play of J.J. Watt. Their downfall in recent years has been their ability to find a reliable QB to lead the offense, and they think they may finally have solved that issue. The Texans threw a lot of money at former Peyton Manning back-up Brock Osweiler, and if he can deliver the goods, this might just be a team that is a legitimate threat to make the playoffs and go deep.
Jacksonville Jaguars (+250)
Long considered to be one of the running jokes in the NFL, the Jacksonville Jaguars spent the offseason serving notice that they are ready to step up and compete this coming season. At 5-11 last year, the Jags didn’t really come close to putting together their first winning season since 2007. They believe that they have a franchise QB in Blake Bortles, and they have spent a lot of money on the offseason to bring in players who they believe give that young man the best shot at success. If this lot can gel quickly, the Jaguars may just win on a regular basis.
Tennessee Titans (+900)
Rookie QB Marcus Mariota showed some real signs of brilliance last season, but it was also made very obvious that the kid needs some help. The Titans aim to do that by boosting their running game, which they did by signing free agent DeMarco Murray, and drafting Heisman winner Derrick Henry. That should help alleviate some of the pressure on Mariota, but this team is still a long way off from being able to compete for a division title.
