With no professional sport on at the moment, the build up to the NFL season in September is at fever pitch.Our 2020 NFL division previews continu today as we take a look at the fourth and final division in the AFC, the South.
Remember, you can check out our other NFL season previews by clicking any of the links below.
– NFL Outright Betting Picks
– AFC East Preview
– AFC North Preview
– AFC West Preview
– AFC South Preview
– NFC East Preview
– NFC South Preview
– NFC West Preview
2020 AFC South Division Preview
Contrary to what many people believed prior to the 2019 season, the AFC South ended up being one of the stronger divisions in the conference. This was highlighted by the fact that the Tennessee Titans made it all the way to the AFC Championship game, where they were bounced by the eventual Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The division combined for 32 wins last season, which was second only to the AFC East within the conference. Houston and Tennessee were the two playoff teams representing the AFC South, and they are shaping up to be the contenders for the division once again in 2020.
Houston Texans
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 7.5 (-110)
Under 7.5 (-110)
The Texans won the AFC South last year but their reward for the division win was a 2nd round matchup with the Kansas City Chiefs. After a great win over the Bills in the first round of the playoffs, the Texans got off to a hot start against the Chiefs, leading 21-0 at quarter time.
The Chiefs went on to score 51 points in the next three quarters to win the game 51-31 and bounce the Texans from the playoffs. Interestingly, the Texans have dropped to third favorites to win the division this season after the Colts and Titans both made moves to improve their teams.
Notable Arrivals: WR Randall Cobb, S Eric Murray, RB David Johnson, WR Brandin Cooks
Notable Departures: WR DeAndre Hopkins, DT D.J. Reader
Many think that the loss of DeAndre Hopkins will be a massive blow to the Houston offense and while it’s true that he is without doubt one of the most dynamic recievers in the league, we think the package of Randall Cobb and David Johnson that comes to fill the void is really solid.
Add some natural progression from Will Fuller V in what will be a much bigger role as the No.1 receiver and you have the recipe for a really strong offense and we haven’t even mentioned star QB DeShaun Watson yet, who is the best quarterback in the division by a stretch.
2020 Houston Texans Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Thursday Sep. 10 |  | at Kansas City ChiefsArrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 |  | Baltimore RavensNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 4:25pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 |  | at Pittsburgh SteelersHeinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 |  | Minnesota VikingsNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 |  | Jacksonville JaguarsNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 |  | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 |  | Green Bay PackersNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 15 |  | at Cleveland BrownsFirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 |  | New England PatriotsNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Thursday Nov. 26 |  | at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 12:30pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 |  | Indianapolis ColtsNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 |  | at Chicago BearsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 19 | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 |  | Cincinnati BengalsNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | Tennessee TitansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
The Texans and the rest of the AFC South will have a the tough task of facing off against the NFC North this season, with the Packers, Vikings and Bears all likely to be fairly strong. Four games against the Colts and Titans will also be tough and a season opener at Kansas City on Thursday night football looks certain to be a loss.
However, there are winnable games on the Texans schedule. They face the Jags twice as well as the Steelers, Patriots, Lions, Browns and Bengals.
Prediction
Record: 9-7
It’s hard for us to believe that the division winner from last year can slide to +350 in the betting markets as the third favorite. There are still so many things to like about this Houston team, first and foremost, their quarterback.
Watson is far and away the best quarterback in the division, and we aren’t buying into the hype that a 38-year-old Philip Rivers will turn the Colts into a division contender. We think the Texans go 9-7 this season and challenge for a competitive division.
Indianapolis Colts
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 9.0 (-110)
Under 9.0 (-110)
The Colts finished with a 7-9 record last year and missed a playoff berth in the final few weeks of the season. With the surprise retirement of QB Andrew Luck at the start of the year, they were forced to go into the season with backup Jacoby Brissett, who was servicable but struggled at times.
The Colts addressed the quarterback issue in the off-season, picking up Philip Rivers. While there’s no doubt that Rivers is an upgrade, we are not sure if adding him should result in the Colts being the division favorites as it has.
Notable Arrivals: Philip Rivers, DT DeForest Buckner, CB Xavier Rhodes
Notable Departures: CB Pierre Desir, WR Devin Funchess, TE Eric Ebron
Picking up Rivers was a no brainer. The Colts needed an upgrade at QB just to give this team a chance to do something. General Manager Chris Ballard also picked up DT DeForest Bucknor after trading away the 13th pick in the draft, who should bolster the defense.
2020 Indianapolis Colts Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Sunday Sep. 13 | | at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | | Minnesota VikingsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 |  | New York JetsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 4:05pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 | | at Chicago BearsSoldier Field, Chicago, IL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 | | at Cleveland BrownsFirstEnergy Stadium, Cleveland, OH | 4:25pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | | Cincinnati BengalsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | | at Detroit LionsFord Field, Detroit, MI | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | Baltimore RavensLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Thursday Nov. 12 | | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 8:20pm ETFOX/NFLN/Amazon | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | | Green Bay PackersLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 29 | | Tennessee TitansLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 |  | at Houston TexansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 |  | at Las Vegas RaidersAllegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV | 4:05pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | Houston TexansLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 19 | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 | | at Pittsburgh SteelersHeinz Field, Pittsburgh, PA | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | Jacksonville JaguarsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
Indy have some better matchups within the conference than the Texans do, that’s for sure. They play the Bengals, Jets and Raiders, two of them at home, which should provide for at least two wins. They obviously also have to play the NFC North, which should be tough.
Prediction
Record: 8-8
Every tipster and their dog is predicting the Colts to win the division this season but we just don’t see it. There are two other quality teams in the AFC South this year and while the games against the likes of the Jets and Raiders will help them, they still have to play four games against the Texans and Titans.
They went just 3-3 in the division last season and 2-6 on the road. Philip Rivers went just 5-11 last season for the chargers, with a better host of skill position players than he’ll be playing with in Indy this season.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 4.5 (-121)
Under 4.5 (+100)
After winning the division in 2017, the Jaguars have had two disappointing seasons in row, finishing last in the AFC South with a 5-11 record in 2018 and a 6-10 record last season.
They now look like they are heading into a big rebuild phase and it’s not entirely sure how many of their best players even want to be there at the moment. In a tough division, there aren’t many positives we can see coming out of this Jags season.
Notable Arrivals: DT Rodney Gunter, LB Joe Schobert, TE Tyler Eifert
Notable Departures: DT Marcell Dareus, QB Nick Foles, DE Calais Campbell, CB A.J. Bouye
Nick Foles departs Jacksonville after just one season and four total games, which will see fan favorite Gardner Minshew go into the season as the starting quarterback. The Jags also wave goodbye to defensive cogs in Dareus, Campbell and Bouye. Big shoes to fill on the defensive side of the ball there.
2020 Jacksonville Jaguars Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Sunday Sep. 13 | | Indianapolis ColtsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | | at Tennessee TitansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Thursday Sep. 24 |  | Miami DolphinsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 8:20pm ETNFLN | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 | | at Cincinnati BengalsPaul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 | | at Houston TexansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | | Detroit LionsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 1 |  | at Los Angeles ChargersSoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA | 4:05pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | Houston TexansTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 15 | | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | | Pittsburgh SteelersTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 29 | | Cleveland BrownsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 | | at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 | | Tennessee TitansTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | at Baltimore RavensM&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 | | Chicago BearsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
Games against Miami and Cincinnati in the first four weeks could be a bright spot in the Jags season but after that it gets tough. Can see wins being few and far between for Jacksonville with this schedule.
Prediction
Record: 4-12
The Jags used to possess one of the best defenses in the league, but they certainly won’t this season after trading away some key pieces. It’s revuild mode for the Jags here and we can see them winning a maximum of four games. Bet the under here.
Tennessee Titans
Win Total Over/Under via DraftKings Sportsbook
Over 8.5 (-134)
Under 8.5 (+110)
The Titans will look to carry on some big momentum they found in the playoffs last season, where they upset the New England Patriots and the Baltimore Ravens in the first two rounds before ultimately losing in the AFC Championship game against the Chiefs.
Derrick Henry might have been the best player in the playoffs last season. The running back averaged almost 150 yards per game and ran in two touchdowns over the three games and will be relied heavily upon again this season.
Notable Arrivals: OLB Vic Beasley
Notable Departures: RT Jack Conklin, DT Jurrell Casey, TE Delanie Walker, RB Dion Lewis
After a big run in playoffs, it was always going to be hard to keep a core of players that were ultimately underpaid. Their prority, however, was to keep Ryan Tannehill and Derrick Henry, which they achieved. The loss of Walker could be an issue in the passing game and Conklin on the offensive line is also worrying, however, the Titans should be in good shape.
2020 Tennessee Titans Schedule | |||||
| Date | Opponent | Time/TV | |||
| Monday Sep. 14 |  | at Denver BroncosBroncos Stadium at Mile High, Denver, CO | 10:10pm ETESPN | ||
| Sunday Sep. 20 | | Jacksonville JaguarsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Sep. 27 | | at Minnesota VikingsU.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 4 | | Pittsburgh SteelersNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 11 |  | Buffalo BillsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 18 | | Houston TexansNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Oct. 25 | BYE | ||||
| Sunday Nov. 1 | | at Cincinnati BengalsPaul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 8 | | Chicago BearsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETFOX | ||
| Thursday Nov. 12 | | Indianapolis ColtsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 8:20pm ETFOX/NFLN/Amazon | ||
| Sunday Nov. 22 | | at Baltimore RavensM&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Nov. 29 | | at Indianapolis ColtsLucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 6 | | Cleveland BrownsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 13 | | at Jacksonville JaguarsTIAA Bank Field, Jacksonville, FL | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
| Sunday Dec. 20 | | Detroit LionsNissan Stadium, Nashville, TN | Time TBA ETor Sat. Dec. 19 | ||
| Sunday Dec. 27 | | at Green Bay PackersLambeau Field, Green Bay, WI | 8:20pm ETNBC | ||
| Sunday Jan. 3 | | at Houston TexansNRG Stadium, Houston, TX | 1:00pm ETCBS | ||
There are some tough games in the Titans schedule including an opening week trip to Denver and a Week 5 meeting at home against hte Bills. Overall, however, they look the goods to have another strong season, with winnable games against the Jags x2, Steelers, Browns, Bengals and Lions.
Prediction
Record: 10-6
We like the look of the Titans this season. They should be full of confidence after a strong finish to the year in the playoffs last season and will be looking to carry momentum over. They went 5-3 on the road last season, if they can match that and rack up another 5 wins at home, we think it will be on par.
AFC South Division Winner
Finding it really tough to want to back the Colts to win this division over the likes of Houston and Tennessee. This is the one division in the league where we see true potential value. We have the Titans finishing one game ahead of the Texans, but we wouldn’t be surprised if it was the opposite way around.
Bet on both the Texans and the Titans here for a guaranteed profit.
