AFC South Division Odds to Win
(The Spread) – The AFC South is likely to be top heavy again this year, with the Texans and Colts having significantly different odds than the Titans and Jaguars.
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Texans are -250 on the money line to win the AFC South Division in 2014. The Colts have the next best odds at +240, while the Titans are +800 and the Jaguars are massive long shots at +2800.
With the issues they have at quarterback, it’s easy to see why oddsmakers don’t have any faith in Jacksonville winning the South this season. Between Chad Henne and Blaine Gabbert, the quarterback position will once again hold the Jaguars back, although the four-game suspension for second-year receiver Justin Blackmon doesn’t help either. Maurice Jones-Drew and the running game figures to be bottled up without a passing game to share in the burden, and the Jacksonville defense will likely be on the field plenty in 2013.
As for the Colts, they made the postseason last year thanks in large part to rookie quarterback Andrew Luck, who enters his second season with high expectations. GM Ryan Grigson addressed the offensive line in the offseason, signing free agents Gosder Cherilus and Donald Thomas. The Colts also added former first-round pick Darrius Heyward-Bey, formerly of the Raiders, running back Ahmad Bradshaw, and safety LaRon Landry to a free-agent deal. Whether or not Luck can carry this team again is the main question heading into 2013.
Speaking of offensive line upgrades, the Titans signed top free agent guard Andy Levitre and also drafted former Alabama standout Chance Warmack in the first round. The added protection is nice, although if third-year quarterback Jake Locker doesn’t show more consistency than Tennessee will suffer once again. The talent is there for this team to be a potential sleeper, but Locker and new offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains are the key.
With all that said, it’s understandable why the Texans remain the favorites to repeat as AFC South champions. They’re the most battled-tested and they have outstanding talent on both sides of the ball, from receiver Andre Johnson to defensive standout J.J. Watt. Whether or not Arian Foster can get healthy (and avoid further injuries, for that matter) and Matt Schaub can bea Super Bowl-caliber quarterback remain big question marks heading into the season, Houston is still the team to beat in this division.
2014 AFC South Division Odds to Win
Houston Texans -250
Indianapolis Colts +240
Tennessee Titans +800
Jacksonville Jaguars +2800
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