NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Houston Texansget a chance to secure a third consecutive AFC South championship this year with quarterback C.J. Stroud and coach DeMeco Ryans.
The challenge?
No one has secured three consecutive championships since Peyton Manning was at his peak with the Indianapolis Colts during the early days of this division.The Tennessee Titansmost recently came the closest but fell just short in 2022.
I’m not exactly certain what the next move will be,” said Houston general manager Nick Caserio. “I mean, we have a solid football team, so we’ve been among the top eight teams in the league for the past two years. So what comes after that, no one really knows.
The Texans have reached the divisional round in each of the last two playoff seasons, losing both times, with the latest occurrence being the most recent.Kansas City won 23-14 in JanuaryCaserio executed several actions to support Stroud, and coach DeMeco Ryans also changed offensive coordinators.
Houston tight end Dalton Schultz stated that all they need to do is focus on one specific task to move past the divisional round.
“It’s never the same as the previous year, and there’s always a minor issue that affects the league or your team,” Schultz said.
Houston finished with a 10-7 record in 2024, while the Colts had an 8-9 season, as everyone was working hard to keep up — or face the consequences.
Indianapolis switched starting quarterbacks. Jacksonville brought on a new coach and general manager before moving up in the draft to select Heisman Trophy winner Travis Hunter. Tennessee hasTop 1 draft pick overallin Cam Ward starting as quarterback following the dismissal and appointment of a new general manager.
“This league changes from year to year, and what I believe is best for the Colts in 2025,” said Colts coach Shane Steichen.
Texans’ challenge
Houston needs to provide better protection for Stroud. Only Chicago’s Caleb Williams was sacked more than the2024 AP NFL Best New Offensive Player.As the pressure mounted, Stroud’s performance declined, as he was sacked 52 times, with his interceptions nearly doubling to 12 compared to his first season.
Stroud still passed for 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ryans dismissed Bobby Slowik andhired Nick Caley as offensive coordinator.
He originates from a different style than what I’m accustomed to in the NFL,” Stroud said about Caley. “So, it’s great to learn something new and add another skill to my repertoire.
Caserio exchanged a five-time Pro Bowl left tackleLaremy Tunsil to WashingtonDuring the off-season, they aim to create room to bring in younger players. The Texans are anticipated to have a rookie take the left tackle position, specifically second-round pick Aireontae Ersery, while Tytus Howard remains at right tackle, where he played 16 games last season.
Houston also acquired Christian Kirk, signed Justin Watson and selected a pair of receivers from Iowa State to add depth behind Nico Collins following Stefon Diggs’ departure in free agency. Caserio also sent a wide receiverJohn Metchie to Philadelphiafor tight end Harrison Bryant on August 17.
Hey Danny Dimes
Indianapolishas failed to make the playoffs for the last four years, and a fifth consecutive season without playoff qualification might lead to Steichen and general manager Chris Ballard losing their positions with the lateJim Irsay’s daughters now running the franchise.
Choosing Daniel Jones means the team that had two decades with Manning and Andrew Luck at quarterback will now have another starter on opening day. Since 2017, only Anthony Richardson has started consecutive season openers.
However, the fourth overall selection in 2023 struggled to remain injury-free and wasn’t able to support Jonathan Taylor sufficiently. Taylor accumulated 1,431 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Richardson completed only 47.7% of his passes, the lowest percentage among any starting quarterback in the NFL.
Steichen mentioned that Richardson, 23, was thrown into the fire. The Colts’ coach isn’t yet willing to discuss it.Jones’ future.
“Let’s observe how the season unfolds,” Steichen remarked.
Jacksonville’s youth movement
The most significant transformation occurred inJacksonville,Firing a Super Bowl-champion coach, Doug Pederson, and GM Trent Baalke. The Jaguars appointedLiam Coen as coach and James Gladstone, 34, as their new general manager.
The Jaguars are working to improve a team that finished 3-10 in close games during the 2024 season, holding the franchise record for losing 18 of its last 23 games.
In his initial role as a head coach, Coen, 39, is working with a pair of newcomers in the position of offensive coordinator.Grant Udinski and defensive coordinator Anthony Campanile.As the coordinator in Tampa Bay, Coen made history by being the first NFL coordinator in at least 25 years to assist a team in scoring over 28 points per game on average.
He has Trevor Lawrence, the No. 1 overall selection in the 2021 draft, who only played in 10 games in 2024 due to injuries. Wide receiver Brian Thomas is now able to receive assistance fromHunter, even if the rookie will also contribute on defense.
Tennessee time
Brian Callahanwas also a first-time head coach a year ago with the Titans. He hired a former NFL head coach, Mike McCoy, this offseason along with several other modifications to implement what he has learned.
Mike Borgonzi was appointed as General Manager whenRan Carthon’s significant off-season spending campaigndidn’t work out. The Titans have accepted theirrebuildeven if they brought in veteran receivers Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson, as well as left tackle Dan Moore Jr. and right guard Kevin Zeitler.
Predicted order of finish
Houston, Indianapolis, Tennessee, Jacksonville.
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Kristie Rieken, Michael Marot, and Mark Long of AP Sports Writers and AP Pro Football Writer provided input for this report.
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