Ricky Dimon
We are less than a month away from the 2025 NFL regular season. Week 1 can’t come soon enough, but before it does we have time to preview all of the upcoming action and make our predictions and best bets.
Pickswise’s extensive coverage continues with a breakdown of the AFC South. With no seemingly dominant force among the quartet of representatives, this could be one of the more competitive divisions in football. In fact, it is 1 of only 3 in which the favorite to win is priced at plus money (the Houston Texans are +105 favorites). Houston has won it twice in a row (both times with 10-7 records) and on 6 occasions in the past 10 years.
AFC South odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Houston Texans +105
Jacksonville Jaguars +300
Indianapolis Colts +370
Tennessee Titans +650
Houston Texans
Houston failed to take the next step that many expected after it compiled a 10-7 mark in year 1 under head coach DeMeco Ryans. That 2023 campaign was also the rookie seasons for quarterback C.J Stroud (OROY) and linebacker Will Anderson Jr. (DROY). Unfortunately for the Texans, Stefon Diggs (now with the New England Patriots) suffered a torn ACL in October and Tank Dell messed up his knee in December and could miss all of 2025. Still, Ryans’ squad again went 10-7. Even with Diggs gone and Dell sidelined, this could be the year the Texans make a leap. Stroud has guys like Nico Collins and Joe Mixon at his disposal, while the defense could be the best in the entire NFL.
Houston Texans best bet: Over 3.5 division wins (-145)
Indianapolis Colts
It’s hard to have any confidence in a team when the quarterback depth chart begins with Anthony Richardson and continues with Daniel Jones. Richardson has plenty of talent, but he has never put it together – and injuries have always been an issue. In the case of Jones, well…we know what he brings to the table. Not even Jonathan Taylor can save this offense. The defensive front is the strength of this entire squad, but it remains to be seen if the linebackers and the secondary can hold up their end of the bargain. When it’s all said and done, I think the Colts will be worse than expected.
Indianapolis Colts best bet: Under 7.5 wins (-110)
Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s not necessarily now or never for Trevor Lawrence because he just signed a massive contract extension last summer. Still, the pressure is on to produce. The Jaguars are doing everything they can to help him, too, having traded up to draft 2-way star Travis Hunter #2 overall. Hunter figures to play on both sides of the ball, but the transition from college to the NFL will likely be easier as a receiver than as a quarterback. That’s probably where the Jags really need him, anyway. New head coach Liam Coen has an offensive background, so his presence alone should help Lawrence (and Hunter). I’m not sold on this team as a whole, but it could be fun to watch.
Jacksonville Jaguars best bet: Travis Hunter Over 750.5 receiving yards (-120)
Tennessee Titans
Tennessee was the worst team in all of football last year (tied with the Cleveland Browns and New York Giants at 3-14 but got the #1 pick due to the strength of schedule tiebreaker). Earning the #1 overall selection means the Will Levis experiment has mercifully come to an end, as rookie Cam Ward is now under center. Ward should end up being a good player, but it may take a while – especially when his supporting cast is so underwhelming. Calvin Ridley is a nice piece, but all in all Ward is not going to have a ton of help. The coaching would have to be amazing in order for this roster to win more than a handful of games, but “amazing” is not the word that comes to mind for Brian Callahan.
Tennessee Titans best bet: To finish last in the division (+130)
AFC South division predictions
1. Houston Texans
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
3. Indianapolis Colts
4. Tennessee Titans
AFC South best bet: Houston Texans to win the division (+105)
At plus money, I simply can’t pass up the opportunity to back Houston in this unspectacular division. Indianapolis is probably going to be bad and Tennessee – at least on paper – is even worse. Jacksonville is the only conceivable threat, but a lot would have to go right in Coen’s first year for the Jaguars to finish ahead of the Texans. In this division, Houston has the best quarterback, the best defense and the best head coach. Yeah, give me the Texans.
