It looks like it’s all systems go for the 2020 NFL season, and I for one couldn’t be happier. The season is less than two weeks away, so we’re starting a series that asks one sneaky big question for all 32 teams heading into the 2020 NFL season. Today, we’re taking a look at the AFC South, a division that boasted two playoff teams and even one that nearly made it to the Big Game just six months ago. Next, we’ll be tackling the AFC North! Enjoy!
Jacksonville Jaguars
Q: What number will Trevor Lawrence wear in Jacksonville next year?
It seems like a lifetime ago, but Jacksonville was just minutes away from making their first ever Super Bowl appearance in 2018. After cutting Leonard Fournette and trading Yannick Ngakoue to Minnesota, the 2017-2018 Jaguars roster is all but dismantled. It’s only been two seasons since this team made it to the AFC Championship game with Blake Bortles, Allen Robinson(played just one game), Jalen Ramsey, A.J. Bouye, Dante Fowler Jr., Calais Campbell, Telvin Smith, Fournette, and Ngakoue.
Now, all those guys are gone and the only member really left from that team is head coach Doug Marrone. It’s clear that his days in Jacksonville are numbered, as management has made it clear that they are attempting a 76ers-style tank…and I’m all for it. Trevor Lawrence is a generational talent who has been compared to John Elway, Peyton Manning, and Andrew Luck. The Jaguars had no chance of competing in the AFC South this year anyway, so GM David Cadwell said fuck it, we’re getting Trevor Lawrence or Justin Fields in next year’s draft.
Not only will they most likely wind up with a top quarterback, but the Jags also have the Ram’s first-round pick and the Vikings 2nd rounder in the 2021 Draft. I respect Jacksonville’s strategy and I see no problem in following the Dolphins mold because if you have a chance to get Lawrence for the next 10+ years..DO IT!
The worst-case scenario for Jacksonville in 2020 is that Gardner Minshew somehow wills this team to a 5-11 or 6-10 record and they wind up with like the 6th or 7th overall pick. If you’re a Jaguars fan, you should be rooting against your team every single week this year. ‘Tank for Trevor’ is in full effect in Jacksonville.
Indianapolis Colts
Q: So…what’s the long term plan in Indy?
The Chargers opting to not re-sign Philip Rivers came as no surprise after he led Los Angeles to a 5-11 record in 2019 while throwing 20 interceptions. What did come as a surprise is that Indianapolis scooped him up right away, no questions asked.
The Colts were blindsided by Andrew Luck’s retirement last August and were left scrambling to save their 2019-20 season. It was to no avail, however, as they finished below .500. and 3rd in the AFC South. Indianapolis is in a weird position, as their roster is really young, yet they signed an all but washed up Philip Rivers to get them over the hump? The Colts are one of the winningest sports franchises of the 21st century, as they’ve made the playoffs 14 times over the last two decades.
For a franchise owner who has experienced such an abundance of success, I think it’s really hard for Jim Irsay to just throw away a season or two and rebuild for the future. The fact of the matter is that Philip Rivers is just not the same player he once was AND the 2019 Chargers had way more talent than this current Indianapolis roster. Indy has an excellent coach in Frank Reich, one of the best offensive lines in football, and a solid front seven, so yes, I do believe that the Colts can make the playoffs this year, but how far are you really going with a 38-year-old Rivers?
I have no idea how the Colts will fare this upcoming season, but I do know that Indy has the murkiest future of any team in the AFC. After Rivers’ contract is up, where does Indianapolis go from there? How the Colts revamp their roster in the next coming years is a story that’s flying under the radar.
Tennessee Titans
Q: Was that the real Ryan Tannehill?
When I saw that the Titans had signed Tannehill last offseason, all I could think about was the 👀 emoji. It didn’t come as much of a shock that Marcus Mariota was benched in week 6, but what did come as a surprise was how well Ryan Tannehill performed. Tannehill is coming off a year in which he won Comeback Player of the Year, led the NFL in QBR, and brought the Titans to the AFC Title game. He was then rewarded with a $118 million contract this offseason, $62 million of which is guaranteed.
So, the question has to be asked: Was that the real Ryan Tannehill? Prior to his breakout season last year, Tannehill held a career record of 42-46, never started a playoff game, and was always thought of as nothing more than a game manager. I think the lion’s share of Tannehill’s success has be given to the creative playing calling from Tennessee OC Arthur Smith. Tennessee was running toss plays to Jonnu Smith in the backfield and goal-line passes to their offensive lineman, the Titans were a really fun team to watch in the latter half of the season.
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The Titans offensive blueprint is centered around Derrick Henry, but I really question if Tannehill can lead this team to victory when they start out down 14-0 or 20-3. Tennessee’s ceiling all hinges on the play of Ryan Tannehill and many around the league are wondering if last year was just a fluke. If he can keep up his efficient play this team can definitely contend for a Super Bowl in the next few years.
Houston Texans
Q: Are we really trusting that Brandin Cooks and Will Fuller can stay healthy?
I’ve been duped by fake twitter accounts regarding trades and free agency news in the past, but I had to do a double-take when I got the notification from Bleacher Report that Hopkins had been traded for a 2nd rounder and David Johnson’s terrible contract. What I cannot understand about this trade is how other coaches, advisors, and scouts in the Texans organization allowed Bill O’Brien to pull the trigger on this trade. O’Brien is the GM and at the end of the day, it’s his call, but that trade was an absolute disaster.
Getting David Johnson’s contract off the Cardinal’s books was worth a second-round pick on its own, but then Houston goes ahead and throws one of the best receivers in football into the deal AND a fourth round pick?? It’s a completely indefensible trade, especially considering Stefon Diggs went for a 1st, 4th, 5th, and a 6th. Something that hasn’t been brought up enough about this trade is: How does DeShaun Watson feel about it?
Watson to Hopkins was one of the best connections in football and DeAndre is still just 28 years old. Watson hasn’t really spoken openly about the deal, but c’mon you know he’s pissed about it. Houston gave away his All-Pro target for pennies on the dollar and replaced him with Randall Cobb and Brandin Cooks.
The biggest question surrounding the Texans is the health of their receiving corps. Will Fuller has missed 20 games over the last three years and Cooks has had five concussions over the last six seasons. Hopkins on the other hand has only missed two career games and both were due to week 17 playoff rest. DeShaun and the Texans will be relying on two injury-prone wideouts to replace Hopkins and I just don’t see it. We’ll see if they can stay out of the trainer’s room and return to form in Houston this season.
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