I’m a little behind with back to school stuff and a work trip so this week I’m playing catch up with my Pre Season rankings. Today we cover the South starting with the AFC South. Let’s dive in.

AFC South

First Place: Houston Texans (11-6)

The Texans had a rough go of it last year with a ton of injuries and a terrible offensive line. I’d like to say this year is off to a better start, but they traded away their best offensive lineman and their starting running back is out indefinitely. Still despite their issues last year they still won the division and a playoff game. I don’t love their offensive personnel but I do think they have the best Quarterback in the division and Nico Collins is real good. Their defense is quite good and they have a good coach. At the end of the day I have the Texans first because I believe in the other teams less. When I don’t think there is a big gap in teams, I go with the best QB and Coach combo and that is clearly the Texans.

Second Place: Indianapolis Colts (9-8)

I like a lot of things about the Colts. Jonathan Taylor is real good. They have solid receivers and an awesome new rookie tight end. Their O-Line is pretty good and I think their defense will be improved under the tutelage of their new coordinator Lou Anuramo. Lou took the blame for a terrible Bengals defense that was decimated by the Bengals being cheap and not paying good defensive players. I also like their head coach and think he is doing a good job. The issue here is at quarterback. Anthony Richardson has been a bust so they have handed over the job to Daniel Jones. I think Jones will make them more competitive than Richardson does but he doesn’t have the upside to lead this team to the playoffs. Think the Giants a couple of years ago without the playoff appearance.

Third Place: Jacksonville Jaguars (8-9)

I am done believing in Trevor Lawrence and the Jags. Maybe the new coach will turn them around but I am skeptical. Despite Trevor’s great hair, it has not helped him play any better and last year he added injury to his issues. They went all in on Travis Hunter which feels more gimmicky than a team trying to win. I don’t think they will be awful but my guess is they will have an up and down season. Brian Thomas Jr is real good and their other skill guys are pretty good so they should be able to put up some points. But the defense has a lot of holes and I am done buying into the Golden Locks. So they will probably win the division since I have given up on them.

Fourth Place: Tennessee Titans (7-10)

I think the Titans will be much improved and will get better as the year goes on. I think Cam Ward will be good but they will have some growing pains along the way. It will be an up and down season but it will give them hope going into next year. And hey 7 wins is a pretty big improvement over last year. I just don’t think they have enough on either side of the ball yet to truly compete. But they finish the year against the Saints and Jaguars so that should give them some hope going into next year.

NFC South

First Place: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (11-6)

Three teams have won their division 4 or more years in a row. The Chiefs are at 9 in a row, the Bills are at 5 in a row and then the Bucs are at 4. Yet every year they get doubted. But people forget they got the Bake Show. I love Baker. And I think he is much better than people give him credit for. Their receivers are a little banged up but that happened last year and Baker still threw the ball all over the yard. They have good running backs and I think their defense will be improved. When push comes to shove I go with the known commodity over speculation that teams will be better like the Falcons and Panthers. So give me the Bake show for 5 in a row.

Second Place: Atlanta Falcons (9-8)

I think the Falcons will be a solid team and in the playoff hunt. I like their coach and they have one of the best running backs in the league and a great receiver in Drake London and another solid receiver in Mooney. They also have a solid in real life Tight end who every fantasy football owner hates, Kyle Pitts. Pennix is still unproven but played well last year. However, him playing well didn’t equal wins. The defense is improved on paper due to the draft but I still think it is pretty shaky. Ultimately they just have to many unknowns for me to confidently pick them to win their division or make the playoffs. So they will be a pretty good but not good enough team.

Third Place: Carolina Panthers (7-10)

The Panthers are basically the Falcons with less talent on offense and a little more talent on defense. They improved a lot the second half of last year but I don’t think they made any massive moves to move them up the list. The Panthers do have an easier schedule than the other two teams. So I think that will help them. Bryce Young got better but he still isn’t great. And they are still the Panthers and are perennial losers so I expect them to be more competitive through out the season this year but end up with a similar record.

Fourth Place: New Orleans Saints (3-14)

Any team that is starting Spencer Rattler is not going to do well. They have a first year head coach with a bad quarterback, an old defense and a so so offensive roster. Not exactly a strong resume. This team hasn’t been good for a while and probably won’t be good for a while longer. In good news they could win something significant. The first pick in next year’s draft.