and 2024 NFL regular season Soon, teams across the league will be making the tough decision to trim their rosters in order to have 53 players to start the year with Super Bowl dreams.
But with only a limited number of playoff spots to secure, teams will likely be fighting to win their division or at least secure a wild-card spot.
Colin Cowherd of FOX Sports Before training camp began, we made some predictions about how each division would rank, and using those rankings, we'll provide a breakdown of each team in each division, following the AFC South.
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Houston Texans player CJ Stroud, wearing number 7, warms up before kickoff of the AFC Divisional Playoff game between the Texans and the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore on January 20, 2024. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
1. Houston Texans
Colin says“I was worried the Texans would take a step back, but they were a very strong team again in the draft and free agency period. Stefon Diggs, Joe Mixon. I expect them to win.”
The Texans were the surprise of the NFL last season with their impressive draft and free agency period, but some believed CJ Stroud and company needed time to reach their potential.
They are 10-7 this season and are expected to defend their AFC South title.
As Cowherd noted, Houston has doubled down on Stroud, who emerged as one of the league's best quarterbacks after his rookie season, and added Mixon in the backfield and Diggs as another elite weapon at wide receiver.
AFC WEST BREAKDOWN: What will the division look like in the 2024 NFL season?
Key addition: WR Stefon Diggs
While many believe the Texans had a great draft and acquired two reserve players to add depth to their roster, it's clear that their biggest offseason acquisition will be a crucial part of what the team accomplishes in 2024.
Diggs' time in Buffalo was one of the best alongside Josh Allen, but rumors of tension in the locker room ultimately led him to decide to flip to the Bills, with the Texans pouncing on him with the right trade package.
Diggs, along with Nico Collins and Tank Dell, would form one of the best receivers in the league with one of the game's young stars. Will this translate on paper to the field? Diggs' ability to perform at any level should give defenses major problems all season long.
The big question: How far?
The roster is well-stocked, including the addition of edge rusher Danielle Hunter to bolster the defensive line, the quarterback position is promising with young weapons and the offensive line is strong.
So how far can the Texans go this season? It would be disappointing if they don't make the playoffs, but the team was hoping to get back in that position after selecting Stroud and Will Anderson Jr. with the No. 2 and No. 3 overall picks in last year's draft.
As long as they remain healthy, the Texans are the favorites to win the division and, depending on how things go, could very well be the favorites to win the AFC.
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (No. 16) looks back on the sideline during an NFL game between the Tennessee Titans and the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Brian Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Colin says: “I think this is the best lineup coach Trevor Lawrence has ever had. The Jaguars are No. 2. They went 9-8 last year, but coach Trevor Lawrence collapsed down the stretch. I think they'll bounce back.”
Duval County was frustrated that Lawrence and the Jaguars faltered in the second half and didn't make the playoffs, but Cowherd's optimism may give them some solace heading into 2024.
Even with Calvin Ridley out of the receiver corps, the Jaguars have a star-studded roster: Travis Etienne will still protect the backfield, deep threat Gabe Davis will join Christian Kirk and rookie Brian Thomas Jr. is a first-round draft pick who many believe will be Lawrence's biggest threat in the passing game in 2024.
Meanwhile, Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker will join Arik Armstead on the defensive line, with center Mitch Morse and guard Ezra Cleveland creating a better defense for the quarterback Jacksonville paid a whopping $275 million over five years this offseason.
As one of the highest-paid quarterbacks in the league, Lawrence has no choice but to refine a game that, while capable of playing at an elite level, requires more consistency.
NFC WEST BREAKDOWN: What will happen to this division this NFL season?
Key additions: CB Ronald Darby
Several key players who will contribute this season have already been mentioned, but a sneaky addition that could benefit the Jaguars big time is Darby, a veteran cornerback coming out of a solid Baltimore Ravens team.
In a pass-heavy division, the Jaguars need a solid secondary, which also includes new safety Darnell Savage, who can also play nickelback.
Darby proved he can be a nuisance for offensive lines last season, catching just 19 pitches on 43 attempts in 16 games (seven starts). His workload will increase in Jacksonville, but the Jaguars' defense would be noticeably better if he could put up similar numbers in Duval.
The big question: Can Lawrence stay consistent?
The Jaguars lost five of their final six games last season, falling from the top of the division and allowing the Texans to win the championship. In those games, Lawrence completed 62.37% of his passes with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions, while also losing three fumbles and losing the ball five times.
Simply put, Lawrence needs to show more consistency, as he did earlier this year when he threw six touchdowns and two interceptions while completing 70.89 percent of his passes in a five-game winning streak.
Of course, football is a team sport and it's not all Lawrence's fault, but when losses follow a series like that second-half collapse, the blame is often placed on the quarterback. There's talent on the roster, especially on offense, and the Jaguars are a playoff-caliber team, and their quarterback is the driving force behind it.
Anthony Richardson (No. 5) hands the ball to Jonathan Taylor (No. 28) of the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of a preseason game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium on August 11, 2024 in Indianapolis. (Emily Chin/Getty Images)
3. Indianapolis Colts
Colin says“I like the Colts, but I have doubts about Anthony Richardson's style of play and staying healthy.”
The Colts took Richardson fourth overall last year, and the Florida native showed flashes of exactly what they thought he was: He has a cannon arm, is a natural leader on offense and is incredibly tough to tackle when he gets going with his feet.
But is it really true that Richardson's style of play, which involves passing the ball every week and running through defenders, is right, as Cowherd put it? Richardson was sidelined after just four games last season with a shoulder injury, going 2-2 with 59.5% completion for three passing touchdowns, one interception and four rushing touchdowns.
Will the Colts change course, or just hope that Richardson's rushing practice doesn't lead to a season-ending stint on injured reserve?
Important addition:
Raiatu Latu was just a tank for a UCLA Bruins team that had a lackluster senior season in 2023, but that's why the Colts took him in the first round. He recorded 13 sacks, 21.5 tackles for loss and two interceptions as a defensive lineman.
The Colts have some exciting offensive talent, including Richardson, Michael Pittman Jr. and Jonathan Taylor, but a stout defense needs some bolstering along the defensive line.
Latu may not start right away, as the Colts also have Kwity Paye and Tyquan Lewis on the edge, but fans are confident coordinator Gus Bradley will replace him with another solid pass rusher who can wreak havoc on gameday.
The big question: Is Richardson okay?
“He's healthy and available,” head coach Shane Steichen said earlier in the offseason about Richardson and his shoulder heading into Year 2. But with footage of Richardson throwing the ball with his left hand instead of his right in practice and four games remaining, many Colts fans are wondering what's in store for their point guard in 2024.
It's easy to say success in the NFL depends on the quarterback, and that's certainly true for the Colts, whose biggest question mark on offense is the quarterback. The Colts have the talent at receiver, and Taylor is more than a capable running back.
Fans will get an early look at how healthy and ready Richardson is heading into his second year in the league, where he hopes to play all 17 games.
DeAndre Hopkins, wearing number 10 for the Tennessee Titans, runs with the ball during the first half of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at Nissan Stadium on January 7, 2024 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Justin Ford/Getty Images)
4. Tennessee Titans
Colin says“Titans, their quarterback is questionable and their offensive line is worse than Will Revis.”
Tennessee has a new head coach in Brian Callahan who will lead the new system alongside Revis, but with Mason Rudolph behind him there's hardly a better option.
While Revis has shown skill in the NFL, his decision-making and ability to consistently lead an offense remain in question.
Either way, Tennessee GM Lan Carson has made some moves to strengthen his surrounding personnel and make the team more competitive than experts project in 2024.
Key addition: WR Calvin Ridley
How do you help a young quarterback? They have top-tier talent. That's why Ridley could thrive alongside DeAndre Hopkins in this offense — if Revis can get him the ball.
Ridley had an intriguing time in Jacksonville, racking up over 1,000 yards, but never really let go of the ball Lawrence was throwing to him, and now he remains in a division where he could see more targets with a pass-heavy Titans team under coordinator Nick Holtz.
Ridley's explosive speed is still there and, like Hopkins, he's a red zone threat, so Revis has two quality options when they're healthy and playing, which is always a good thing.
The big question: Will the new look work?
Carson not only brought in offensive weapons — running back Tony Pollard replaced Derrick Henry — but also bolstered a defense that was in desperate need of better talent.
Sebastian Joseph Day will be on the interior of the defense alongside Pro Bowl player Jeffrey Simmons, linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. will transfer from the Los Angeles Chargers for Azeez Al-Shair and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie will be added.
The AFC South needed the final week of the season to determine last season's winner, and the Houston Texans unexpectedly emerged victorious. (Getty Images)
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Additionally, former Kansas City Chiefs guard Rujarius Snead will play alongside Awuzie, with Kwandre Diggs at free safety.
Many of the new faces may not gel right away, but if Denard Wilson can keep this group together as coordinator, they have a chance to be a lethal bunch capable of forcing turnovers on every snap.
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