The AFC South is going to be the division to watch this season. First, this division has some of the youngest quarterbacks in the league. Will Levis, who is entering his second season with the Tennessee Titans, is the oldest quarterback in the AFC South at 25. Second, this division has four head coaches in their first, second, or third seasons with the team. Lastly, this division is completely up for grabs. However, the Indianapolis Colts will look to win the AFC South, starting with two key division games.
Two Key Division Games for the Indianapolis Colts in 2024
Week One Against the Houston Texans at Home
The Indianapolis Colts open the 2024 NFL season with a revenge game against the Houston Texans. At the end of the 2023 season, the Colts hosted the Texans at home for a win-and-get-in the playoffs scenario. Unfortunately, the Colts did not get the win and lost on a heartbreaking missed fourth down play. The sting of that loss will certainly still wound the Colts entering the start of the season. Therefore, this will be a matchup to watch, and this opening day division game could set the trajectory for the AFC South and, therefore, is crucial for the Colts.
The Colts have a 32-11-1 record against the Texans. The Colts also have the most division wins with nine, and the Texans are second with seven. Going into 2024, though, there is a new era with both of these teams. In the first matchup between Anthony Richardson and CJ Stroud in week two last year, Richardson led the Colts to a quick 14-0 lead before leaving with an injury. The Colts would go on to win this game 31-20. In the four series that Richardson played, he finished 6/10 for 56 yards and two rushing touchdowns. Stroud, on the other hand, played the entire game and finished 30/47 for 384 yards, two touchdowns, one fumble, and six sacks.
The glimpse that the world saw of these two young quarterbacks competing in week two was a precursor to what the future holds for the Colts and these division games.
Week Five Against the Jacksonville Jaguars on the Road
One of the surrounding headlines that circles the Colts is their division games on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars. This is significant because the Colts have not won in Jacksonville since 2014. With a second-year head coach and a second-year quarterback, Indy will look to end that streak this season. This is what makes this division game one to watch.
Anthony Richardson has faced Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars in week one last season. In that 31-21 loss, Richardson finished 24/37 for 223 yards, one touchdown, one interception, four sacks, and one rushing touchdown. Lawrence finished 24/32 for 241 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. This matchup is also a precursor of things to come for this rivalry.
The Jaguars recently extended their franchise quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, to a five-year, $275M contract. After coming off a disappointing 2023 season in which his team missed the playoffs, Lawrence is looking for a bounce-back year. The Colts will look to spoil that in their week five matchup. The Colts will also look to end their losing streak as well as win a division game on the road. To win a division in the NFL, teams need to win within their division and, with that, win on the road.
Main Image: Jenna Watson – USA Today Sports
