The AFC South is poised to be a highly competitive division in the upcoming NFL season, with analysts on "First Things First" offering differing predictions for the Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans. The panel, including Nick Wright, Chris Broussard, and Danny Parkins, focused on quarterback performance, coaching impact, and team rebuilds as key factors.
Nick Wright predicted the Houston Texans would win the division with a 12-5 record, projecting them to contend for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. He highlighted quarterback C.J. Stroud's potential, suggesting that if Stroud plays at an above-average level, the Texans could be one of the league's best teams. Wright placed the Jacksonville Jaguars second with 13 wins, citing the team's young core, including quarterback Trevor Lawrence and two-way player Travis Hunter, as reasons for continued success. For the Indianapolis Colts, Wright expressed concerns about head coach Shane Steichen and quarterback Daniel Jones's mobility after an Achilles injury, placing them third. The Tennessee Titans, in a rebuilding phase under new head coach Robert Saleh, were predicted by Wright to finish last with six wins, acknowledging potential growth from players like Carnell Tate and Cam Ward.
Chris Broussard also placed the Texans at the top of his AFC South predictions, emphasizing Stroud's expected bounce-back season. He ranked the Jaguars second but predicted they would miss the playoffs, questioning whether quarterback Trevor Lawrence's strong performance last year was sustainable. Broussard placed the Colts third, forecasting a similar late-season collapse as last year due to a challenging schedule. He mirrored Wright's prediction for the Titans at the bottom, expressing a desire to see Robert Saleh and quarterback Cam Ward succeed in their first year together.
Danny Parkins diverged from the others by predicting the Indianapolis Colts to win the AFC South. He pointed to the return of offensive line starters and the potential for a healthy Daniel Jones to lead a strong offense. Parkins ranked the Texans second, expressing doubts about C.J. Stroud's proven ability despite the team boasting what he considers the best defense in the NFL. He placed the Jacksonville Jaguars third, anticipating a significant regression from their 13-4 record last season, citing Trevor Lawrence's inconsistent career as a reason for distrust. Parkins predicted the Titans would finish last, voicing strong concerns about Cam Ward's potential and suggesting the team could be among the worst in the league.