3 Reasons the Colts Could Win the AFC South in 2023: Opinion

With so many changes from 2022 to 2023, the AFC South looks different across the board, giving the Indianapolis Colts new chances to steal the division against all odds.

There is a new feel in the building for the Indianapolis Colts after the NFL Draft and now that OTAs are underway.

Head coach Shane Steichen will look to shock the NFL world and take a division that is currently commanded by Doug Pederson and his electric Jacksonville Jaguars, headed by quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

However, this division is far different than last season alone. This opens up chances for the Colts to have multiple reasons as to how they can claim the AFC South title. The following piece will highlight three reasons why the Colts have the make-up to upset the oddsmakers, and divisional foes, en route to their first division title since 2014.

Reason 1: The Division is More Open Than Critics Think

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It’s true to say that the Jaguars currently are in command of this division. However, they finished 9-8 to win it in 2022. The second-place finishers were the Tennessee Titans with only seven wins. This shows how weak the division was last season.

Now, it’s much different. Yes, the Jaguars are impressive, but outside of Jacksonville, there isn’t the staunch competition around Indianapolis. The Houston Texans are getting an accurate passer in rookie QB C.J. Stroud and a potentially generational pass-rusher in Will Anderson, but there are still many holes and a lot of ground to cover before the Texans are winning the AFC South.

As for the Titans, they took a step back by losing wide receiver Robert Woods and still have woes on the offensive line to fix. It’s also fair to say that Derrick Henry isn’t going to carry the offense forever from the backfield and QB Ryan Tannehill will be pushed by rookie Will Levis to start under center.

With all of the points made above, I think this puts the Colts in a spot to surprise some. If they can somehow clip Jacksonville in one (or both) of their meetings, who knows where the teams will fall if Lawrence gets upset by Tennessee or Houston?

The Colts have plenty of raw and young talent, too. But, if they can get Anthony Richardson in sync faster than expected, it could be a hot start in the division, especially if they can get one of those wins against Lawrence and company in Week 1.

Reason 2: The Colts Have a Well-Rounded Team

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Last season was a sad one for Indianapolis. Impressive rookies didn’t get to play consistently with one QB, but rather three. However, the Colts truly have an interesting roster from top to bottom.

Outside of the Jaguars, I believe this is the second-best roster in the division. If they play at the top of their game, they could be the best.

They have a serious threat in wide receivers Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce, not to mention the rookie draftee Josh Downs. Also, they’ve got arguably one of the most intriguing tight end rooms with names like Jelani Woods, Andrew Ogletree, Mo Alie-Cox, Kylen Granson, and rookie Will Mallory.

Lastly and certainly not least, Jonathan Taylor could potentially be the best back in the entire league on any given Sunday. It will fall on the offensive line to produce better than last year.

With new offensive line coach Tony Sparano Jr. and more consistency at the positions than they had at left tackle and right guard, this is a team that could be in sync and erases the joke that was 2022.

And of course, the Gus Bradley-commanded defense gets the likes of defensive end Samson Ebukam and rookie corners JuJu Brents and Darius Rush to join the fray with an already talented defensive roster. Plus, the linebacking corps of E.J. Speed, Zaire Franklin, and Shaq Leonard is a whole other issue for offenses.

It’s also going to depend on how Richardson hits the ground running should he start Week 1. Speaking of the rookie.

Reason 3: Anthony Richardson May Be More Prepared than Expected

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What if Steichen and his offensive gurus have Richardson farther along in his quarterback development than anyone previously thought? Well, if this is the case, the Colts can push Jacksonville straight up for the AFC South.

While the Jaguars are tough, their defense leaves something to be desired. A humming athlete under center like Richardson is a scary thought. If he can also work well enough in Steichen’s offense to be even somewhat efficient with his passing, then the aforementioned well-rounded roster, especially the offense, could win some tougher games.

I also think the Texans and Titans are teams that Indianapolis can handle. As laid out before, Houston is likely a few years away from having a more complete roster around Stroud and for new head coach DeMeco Ryans.

As for the Titans, they are lacking massively in the tight end and receiving depth, as well as the offensive line. With a team that can’t keep relying on Henry to shoulder the attack, this isn’t the right direction to go for a change.

Outlook

It’s fair to say that it’s impossible to know what’s going to happen. It’s even more true when the AFC South’s context is put into perspective. The Jaguars have the title to defend, but the other three teams have rookie QBs that they believe in for their respective rosters.

With the Colts, it’s all hinging on the Steichen-Richardson connection and how the 12 rookies they drafted stack up to NFL competition, as some outside of them could be leaned on to produce right away.

It will be a fun division to watch in 2023. The Colts may surprise everyone with new coach Steichen taking the reigns and wearing the divisional crown at year’s end.

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