AFC South Predictions & Best Bets 2026: Jaguars, Colts, Texans & Titans
The 2026 NFL regular season is on the horizon. 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, which is showing signs of life after initially being a moribund division in recent times. Jacksonville took the title with a 13-4 record last season, with Houston right behind at 12-5. Even Indianapolis started the year 7-1 before imploding.
Here at Pickswise, our experts have combed through all the major NFL futures betting markets to deliver their NFL predictions and NFL best bets — including the Super Bowl winner, MVP winner and EVERY player award!
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AFC South odds
Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
- Houston Texans +110
- Jacksonville Jaguars +245
- Indianapolis Colts +380
- Tennessee Titans +800
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Houston Texans
Houston’s defense was incredible in 2025. They ranked #1 in total defense, #2 in scoring (17.4 points per game allowed), #3 in takeaways and #7 in sacks. The Texans are pretty much running it back with stars like Will Anderson Jr., Danielle Hunter and Derek Stingley Jr. once again leading the way. Jadaveon Clowney may not be anywhere close to his prime, but it does say something about this unit that the former #1 overall pick wanted to be a part of it rather than retire. The key for this team as a whole is for the offense to become a capable supporting cast – something it was unable to do down the stretch of the 2025 regular season and especially not in the playoffs. Still, you have to think that CJ Stroud is capable of getting back on track. If Stroud is anywhere close to his 2023 rookie self, the Texans should win the division...and maybe even more.
Houston Texans best bet: To win the division (+110)
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Indianapolis Colts
The Colts collapsed down the stretch in 2025 and QB Daniel Jones is coming off a torn Achilles’. Needless to say, expectations are not high heading into this season. The good news is that RB Jonathan Taylor got his contract extension done during the offseason and will be back to lead the offense. If there is one thing this team will be able to do, it’s run the football. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, that may be the only thing it can do. This roster is by no means awful, but – other than Taylor – it is thoroughly unspectacular. The Colts got swept by both the Texans and the Jaguars last year and it would be no surprise if it’s the same story this season. Even the Titans may be able to get the best of head coach Shane Steichen’s squad in Tennessee.
Indianapolis Colts best bet: Under 2.5 division wins (+125)
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Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars certainly overachieved last season, but they will be faced with a more difficult schedule this time around as a reigning division winner. In their first eight games of 2026, Jacksonville has to face Denver (on the road), New England, Cincinnati (on the road), Philadelphia (in London), Houston (in London) and Baltimore (on the road). Head coach Liam Coen’s crew will also visit Chicago, Houston and Dallas in the month of December. And all of that is a big reason why the Jags’ wins quota has plummeted all the way down to 8.5. Are they really going to take such a big step back that they win at least five fewer games in 2026 than they did in 2025 (13-4)? I’m not seeing it. Travis Hunter wasn’t even healthy last year. If he can stay on the field this season, it will give QB Trevor Lawrence a big boost.
Jacksonville Jaguars best bet: Over 8.5 wins (-140)
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Tennessee Titans
The Titans went 3-14 last year and do not figure to be much better this season. They continue to be in total rebuilding mode – and it is a rebuilding that has been going as slow as molasses. This franchise has compiled a losing record in four straight seasons, with 7-10 being its best mark during this woeful stretch. New head coach Robert Saleh may be able to turn things around eventually, but the process is unlikely to be swift. Given that the Titans will probably be terrible yet again, you can expect Cam Ward and company to be playing from behind on a consistent basis and therefore forced to air it out early and often. That combined with an extra pass-catching weapon in first-round draft pick Carnell Tate gives Ward every reason to light up the stat sheet in 2026 – even if it’s in a losing effort.
Tennessee Titans best bet: Cam Ward Over 3299.5 passing yards (-110)
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AFC South division predictions
- Houston Texans
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Indianapolis Colts
- Tennessee Titans
AFC South best bet: Texans/Jaguars top two dual forecast (+170)
The Texans should secure a top-two spot on their own merit. After all, their defense has every reason to once again be among the best defenses in the entire NFL. As for the Jaguars, they should finish in the top two in part because of the competition level. The Colts are likely to take a step back (especially not a good thing when you already had a losing record the year before) and the young Titans do not yet inspire any confidence. A Houston-Jacksonville exacta is also an intriguing option.
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NFL Division Predictions & Team-by-Team Guide
Want more NFL division predictions? We've covered all the other 7 divisions and given our best bets for EVERY team! Check 'em out below:
- AFC East Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - will it be the Buffalo Bills or New England Patriots that win the division?
- AFC North Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - get our top pick for the division featuring the Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns and Pittsburgh Steelers
- AFC West Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - will the Kansas City Chiefs bounce back? Will the Denver Broncos stay on top? Or can the LA Chargers pull through?
- NFC East Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - our expert's best bets for the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles & Washington Commanders
- NFC North Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - check out our +930 pick on a team in this division
- NFC South Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - who will be the best in the worst division in football?
- NFC West Predictions & Best Bets 2026 - in arguably the NFL's hottest division, will the LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks or San Francisco 49ers reign supreme?
