The Indianapolis Colts haven’t won the AFC South since 2014. Will the drought end this season?
Most experts believe the Houston Texans will win the division. The team won it last year, finishing with a 10-7 record under new coach DeMeco Ryans. Quarterback C.J. Stroud had one of the greatest rookie seasons in NFL history, passing for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns.
The Texans could be even better this year. During the offseason, they acquired defensive end Danielle Hunter and running back Joe Mixon. Plus, they added Stefon Diggs, who will team with Nico Collins and Tank Dell to give Houston one of the league’s most dangerous wide receiver corps.
Houston could very well repeat as AFC South champs. They’re the division’s best team on paper. However, that doesn’t mean they’re guaranteed to win it. The Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans, of course, also have a shot.
And don’t forget about the Colts. They nearly won the division last season despite playing with a backup quarterback in Gardner Minshew. Here are two reasons why Indy can claim its first AFC South crown in a decade.
Why the Indianapolis Colts Can Win the AFC South
Elite Defensive Line
The defensive line is the strongest area of the Colts’ roster. In 2023, the unit set an Indy-era franchise record for sacks in a season with 51. Samson Ebukam, Kwity Paye, DeForest Buckner, and Dayo Odeyingbo each produced at least eight sacks. Ebukam led the team with 9.5.
Unfortunately, Ebukam could miss the entire season due to an Achilles injury. But even without him, the Colts still possess an elite defensive line. Buckner and Grover Stewart are a great defensive tackle combo. Meanwhile, guys like Paye, Odeyingbo, and rookie Laiatu Latu are quality defensive ends.
Lati had 13 sacks during his final season at UCLA. The Sacramento native has the potential to become the Colts’ best pass-rusher since the Dwight Freeney/Robert Mathis days. He could certainly win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors this season.
While Indy’s defensive line is terrific, the secondary is considered their biggest weakness. The team will have a much better chance of winning the division if the unit can step up and produce.
Dynamic Offense
Do the Colts have an explosive offense? No one knows the answer, seeing that they haven’t played a regular-season game yet. They didn’t look like a legendary offense during the preseason, though. But as everybody knows, preseason and the regular season are two different things.
Anthony Richardson, who missed most of his rookie year due to injury, struggled in the preseason and looked a bit rusty. If the young quarterback can stay healthy, he could put together a superb 2024 campaign.
Jonathan Taylor, one of the league’s best running backs, is healthy and ready to go. The Colts hope he can return to his 2021 form when he led the NFL in rushing.
Michael Pittman Jr., Josh Downs, Alec Pierce, and rookie Adonai Mitchell could be an outstanding wide receiver corps. Plus, Indianapolis has one of the best offensive lines in football.
If everything goes right, the Colts may come away with their long-awaited AFC South title. It will be extremely difficult, though, especially sharing a division with Stroud’s Texans.
Main Image: Katie Stratman – USA Today Sports
