Those who were laughing at the AFC South a couple years ago, when the division produced a nine-win champion in back-to-back seasons, have been silenced. Between the Jaguars and Titans, the division won three playoff games last season. And, quarterback health permitting, the Texans and Colts aren't exactly push-overs.
The AFC South suddenly is one of the NFL's toughest divisions. There are question marks, of course, starting with all four quarterbacks. There are new coaching staffs in place, too.
Based on SN's picks and predictions for the 2018 NFL season, here is how we see view AFC South.
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AFC: East | West | North | South
NFC: East | West | North | South
AFC South: 2018 predictions
Jacksonville Jaguars
We don't know for sure how much better the Jaguars will play in 2018, but we do know for sure how much better they'll look. New uniforms will be worn by a roster that, for the most part, is the same group that challenged for the conference title last year. Some turnover at tight end and wide receiver shouldn't be too much for a veteran QB like Blake Bortles, especially with the continued support of a strong running game and a playmaking defense.
Tennessee Titans
Speaking of new uniforms, for a team that won a wild-card playoff game last year, the Titans made massive changes in the offseason, including the threads. The big changes begin with a rookie head coach in Mike Vrabel, and they include splashy free-agency signings like Dion Lewis and Malcolm Butler. (Is Tennessee now just New England Southwest?) Of course, modeling the Titans after the dynastic team that knocked them out of last year's playoffs is not a bad idea.
Houston Texans
The night-and-day difference between the Texans with and without Deshaun Watson at quarterback last season was monumental enough for some to consider Houston a favorite in the division. We're not quite there, but we do recognize the talent (don't forget about the Tyrann Mathieu signing) the Texans boast. DeAndre Hopkins has been calling himself underrated all offseason. For now, before a presumably full season with Watson, he's right.
Indianapolis Colts
There's no telling how good the Colts can be if Andrew Luck can stay healthy throughout the 2018 season. There's also no telling how bad the Colts would be if Luck were to suffer another setback in his year-long recovery from shoulder surgery. Expect Indianapolis to be competitive with Luck; he's that good.
AFC South: 2018 picks
1. Jacksonville Jaguars (13-3)
2. Tennessee Titans (10-6)
3. Houston Texans (9-7)
4. Indianapolis Colts (6-10)
The trend in the AFC South over the last decade is for its champions to come in pairs. Since 2009, the Colts, Texans, Colts again and Texans again have won division titles in back-to-back years. Don't expect that trend to change this season.
The defending division-champion Jaguars are bringing back the core of defensive stars that make up "Sacksonville." That's enough for the team that was one epic Tom Brady comeback away from representing the AFC in the Super Bowl last season.