The 2024 season is a few weeks away, and here is the AFC South Division Betting Preview. The AFC South has plenty of young talent, especially quarterback. Last season, we saw the debut of Anthony Richardson for the Colts this season to be shortened due to injury.
Furthermore, C.J. Stroud took home Offensive Rookie of the Year honors for the Houston Texans. Still, the Texans come into this season with plenty of hype, and as the odds-on favorites to win the division, will they be able to live up to the hype? Or will the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, or Tennessee Titans be able to hunt them down? Below is the 2024 AFC South Betting Preview.
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2024 AFC South Betting Preview
Houston Texans (O/U 9.5 Wins)
Last season, the Houston Texans exceeded expectations by not only exceeding their win total of 6.5 but also winning the AFC South Division. The Texans entered a new era with the hiring of head coach DeMeco Ryans.
Additionally, drafting C.J. Stroud with the #2 overall pick and traded up to the #3 overall pick to take Will Anderson Jr. to lead the defense. Both players took home Rookie of the Year honors, which could have been a better start for the Texans. As I mentioned above, the hype is at an all-time high for this team.
The Texans made a big splash in free agency by acquiring Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon to bolster the offense. Furthermore, the defense added Danielle Hunter to pair with Will Anderson Jr. to anchor the defense. However, entering 2024, the Texans will face a first-place schedule, and this team will face the ultimate challenge. Can Stroud continue his success in his rookie year?
I believe this division is the Texans to lose. The talent is there on both sides of the football. The coaching is in place. One of the most underrated moves or lack thereof was the Texans retaining their offensive coordinator Ben Slowik.
Win Total Bet: Over 9.5 Wins
Indianapolis Colts (O/U 8.5 Wins)
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off a 2023 season in which they fell a fourth-down conversion short of winning the division. The Colts’ season seemed derailed early after they lost their fourth-round pick, Anthony Richardson, to a season-ending shoulder injury. However, Gardner Minshew gave the Colts life.
Entering 2024, the Colts expect Richardson to be back under center, and based on the preseason performance, there is still plenty left to be desired with Richardson. The good news for the Colts is Jonathan Taylor will be ready to go for Week 1. The Colts still have a top-10 offensive line coming into this season. The one concern I have for the Colts is the wide receiver position. Other than Michael Pittman Jr., I am not sold on the depth of this position group.
The Colts do come into this season with the 7th easiest schedule. However, I need to see it from Richardson before I can back this team.
Win Total Bet: Under 8.5 Wins
Jacksonville Jaguars (O/U 8.5 Wins)
Trevor Lawerence enters his fourth season in the NFL, which, for many, could mean a make-or-break year. However, with all the criticism that Trevor Lawerence received during his young career, there has been significant turnover in the offensive coordinator and head coach positions.
Entering 2024, the Jaguars face one of the tougher schedules to start the season. According to Warren Sharp, the Jaguars have the second toughest schedule over the first 13 weeks. He goes on to mention that the Jaguars will have eight teams within the first 12 weeks who made the playoffs in 2023.
The Jaguars are also a bit thin at the wide receiver position after Calvin Ridley departed for division foe Tennessee Titans. The Jaguars did bring in Gabe Davis to fill that void, but I am not sure that will be enough. Based on their schedule and the secondary being ranked in the bottom fourth of the league, I could see the Jaguars falling below .500.
Win Total Bet: Under 8.5 Wins
Tennessee Titans (O/U 6.5)
The Tennessee Titans are entering a new era for the 2024 season. No longer will Derrick Henry be in the backfield. Furthermore, the Titans moved on from Mike Vrabel and hired Brian Callahan as the head coach. Additionally, Will Levis will be the starting quarterback for the Titans to start the season.
The Titans made plenty of moves, especially on offense. Calvin Ridley comes to town to join DeAndre Hopkins. Additionally, the Titans added Tyler Boyd to the wide receiving group and Tony Pollard to the running back room. Typically, when I see a new head coach and new starting quarterback, it gives me a bit of a pause to back a team. Why? Because I believe it takes a year or two for the new head coach to implement his game plan and systems. Also, the schedule is not doing any favors for the Titans.
This bettor could win $105K if….
Will Levis leads the league in passing yard 😅
(via @BFawkes22 @CircaSports) pic.twitter.com/l2Lnj0ZDQc
— br_betting (@br_betting) August 23, 2024
First, the Titans have an early bye week, which isn’t ideal. Next, the early part of their schedule features road games to Chicago, Miami, Buffalo, and Detroit. The home games are tough for the Titans, as well, as they host the Jets, Packers, and Colts within the first eight weeks. The Titans could see plenty of success on offense and high-scoring games.
However, with the division slightly improved and a tough schedule to start the season, I do believe the Titans will struggle in the 2024 NFL season.
Win Total Bet: Under 6.5 Wins
AFC South Betting Preview Division Winner
As I mentioned above, on paper, this Texans team has talent on both sides of the football. With the key additions of Stefon Diggs and Joe Mixon on offense, I believe Stroud will have another huge season for the Texans. Furthermore, I love the addition of Danielle Hunter in the front seven alongside Will Anderson Jr. If the defense can hold up their end of the bargain, this team could finish the season with 11 wins, which will certainly win Texans the AFC South division.
The one area I will be zoned in on for the Texans will be the secondary. If the back end of the defense can limit the big plays with the schedule of quarterbacks, the Texans can see plenty of season. It’s a new and exciting era for the Texans as they have their quarterback of the future and the right man at the head coaching position.
Division Winner: Houston Texans +105
AFC South Player Prop Best Bet
As I stated earlier, Richardson is coming off a shortened rookie season due to a shoulder injury. Richardson didn’t look impressive in the preseason, and I am not sure that Richardson’s arm talent is quite there yet. Furthermore, I believe the Colts will rely heavily on the running game with both Anthony Richardson and star running back Jonathan Taylor.
Additionally, I am not sold on the Colts’ wide receiver group. It lacks depth and true red-zone targets. Yes, I expect Michael Pittman Jr. to have another impressive season, but I am not quite sure Richardson will even finish the season as the starter. Let’s not forget that the Colts have a great backup quarterback, Joe Flacco. Flacco led the Browns to a playoff spot last season, and it could be in the cards when he does that for the Colts.
NFC North Player Prop: Anthony Richardson Under 18.5 Passing Touchdowns
