AFC South 2024-25 Odds: Will Stroud be Stopped?

Houston Texans (-120)

• • 2023-24 AFC South Position in 2023-24: 1st (10-7)
  • Key Players In: Stefon Diggs (WR), Danielle Hunter (DE), Denico Autry (DE), Joe Mixon (RB)
  • Key Players Out: Blake Cashman (LB), Kareem Jackson (S), Devin Singletary (RB), Maliek Collins (DT), Sheldon Rankins (DT)
  • Head Coach: DeMeco Ryans

Following an incredible season from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Houston Texans are looking for more in 2024-25! The Ohio State product passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and five interceptions on 63.9% passing in the regular season.

Stroud broke the single-game passing record with a 470-yard performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 9. Additionally, he threw for 4,557 passing yards between the regular season and playoffs combined — the second-most in NFL history for a rookie, behind only Andrew Luck.

CJ STROUD.

470 PASSING YARDS (NFL rookie record)
5 TOUCHDOWNS
GAME-WINNING DRIVE WITH 46 SECONDS LEFT. pic.twitter.com/aFJY6eEr1B

— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023

His torrid pace led to a runaway win for the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. The front office is giving Stroud even more firepower to work with in 2024-25.

Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs gives the passing game another dynamic, while tight end Dalton Schultz is a nice weapon underneath and across the middle of the field.

Moreover, Joe Mixon is a weapon out of the backfield as a runner and pass catcher. There are concerns of a sophomore slump, but the Texans are giving Stroud everything he needs to succeed.

The additions of Danielle Hunter and Denico Autry on the edge give the defense a lift, too. This is a defense that already finished sixth against the run this past season, with 96.6 rushing yards allowed per game.

Given their offseason moves, the Texans are looking for much more than an AFC South title. Also, Stroud should have a healthier offensive line. The Super Bowl is questionable, but winning the division is well within reach. The Texans’ odds to win the AFC South are reasonable at -120!

Jacksonville Jaguars (+315)

• • AFC South Position 2023-24: 2nd (9-8)
  • Key Players In: Arik Armstead (DT), Gabe Davis (WR), Darnell Savage (S), Ronald Darby (CB)
  • Key Players Out: Calvin Ridley (WR), Zay Jones (WR), Darious Williams (CB), Rayshawn Jenkins (S)
  • Head Coach: Doug Pederson

The Jacksonville Jaguars went into last season expecting to win the AFC South. However, as the betting favorite, the Jaguars came short in a 9-8 campaign. They remained in the mix late, but five losses in their last six games were too much to overcome.

The microscope will be squarely focused on quarterback Trevor Lawrence this season. He was selected with the No. 1 pick of the 2021 NFL Draft and has looked like a top pick at times, but his inconsistency is a concern.

Antoine Winfield Jr. gets the @Buccaneers' 2nd INT in as many quarters

📺: #JAXvsTB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/UIg1XAk0MB pic.twitter.com/FaLf4KBlM5

— NFL (@NFL) December 24, 2023

In 2023-24, Lawrence passed for 4,016 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions on 65.6% completions. That isn’t what Jaguars fans were expecting from their franchise quarterback. He’ll be without two of his favorite targets after Calvin Ridley and Zay Jones moved elsewhere.

Former Buffalo Bills’ wide receiver Gabe Davis steps in, but he was shaky toward the end of his tenure in Orchard Park. He had one great season and was hot and cold otherwise. The offense will be boom or bust, and it’s all predicated on Lawrence stepping up.

Defensive tackle Arik Armstead provides the defense with a massive run-stopper. However, the secondary still has plenty of question marks heading into this campaign. Tre Herndon, Darious Williams, and Rayshawn Jenkins were all replaced with newcomers, including Ronald Darby and Darnell Savage.

The Jaguars could be good this season but appear to be a step behind the Texans for the AFC South title.

Indianapolis Colts (+360)

• • AFC South Position in 2023-24: 3rd (9-8)
  • Key Players In: Raekown Davis (DT), Joe Flacco (QB), Adonai Mitchell (WR)
  • Key Players Out: Gardner Minshew (QB), Zack Moss (RB), Jake Martin (DE)
  • Head Coach: Shane Steichen

The Indianapolis Colts made the best out of a bad situation last year following quarterback Anthony Richardson’s injury. Stroud and Richardson were set for an epic battle between the No. 2 and No. 4 players selected in the 2023 NFL Draft.

However, Richardson would only play in four games before exiting with a season-ending injury to his throwing shoulder. The dynamic dual-threat QB looked like the right pick at No. 4 before his young career was sent for a detour.

Richardson has spent the offseason rehabbing his shoulder and will have the green light for training camp. Nevertheless, sports betting sites list the Colts with the third-best AFC South odds. Aside from Richardson returning, the Colts didn’t move the meter in the offseason!

Anthony Richardson has two rushing TDs less than six minutes into the game!

📺: #INDvsHOU on FOX⁰📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/FhXtx7w3wW pic.twitter.com/QfJYDVcoD2

— NFL (@NFL) September 17, 2023

Their most prominent addition was drafting Texas wide receiver Adonai Mitchell with the 52nd overall pick. The front office locked Michael Pittman Jr. up for three more years on a $70 million deal to give Richardson a No. 1 target.

The Colts are somewhat of a wildcard in 2024-25. Will Richardson return to the field without skipping a beat? If you are confident in the young quarterback and he delivers, they’ll have a chance to upset the Texans. However, I have my doubts that Richardson hangs with Stroud.

Tennessee Titans (+900)

• • AFC South Position in 2023-24: 4th (6-11)
  • Key Players In: Calvin Ridley (WR), Lloyd Cushenberry (C), Kenneth Murray Jr. (LB), Tony Pollard (RB), Chidobe Awuzie (CB)
  • Key Players Out: Ryan Tannehill (QB), Derrick Henry (RB), Denico Autry (DT)
  • Head Coach: Brian Callahan

The Tennessee Titans will feature a different look in 2024-25! Ryan Tannehill and bell-cow running back Derrick Henry are both out in Tennessee. The former remains a free agent, while Henry inked a two-year, $16 million contract with the Baltimore Ravens.

Who had @will_levis throwing 4 touchdowns in his NFL debut on their bingo card? pic.twitter.com/guRZlyeAYy

— NFL (@NFL) October 30, 2023

Also, Mike Vrabel was fired as head coach after six years in Nashville. Six wins was not nearly enough for GM Ran Carthon, so Vrabel received his walking papers. Brian Callahan spearheads a new era of Titans football led by quarterback Will Levis.

This is a “prove-it” year for Levis, who has the offense to himself with Tannehill’s departure. He has to show that he is the franchise of the Titans. That remains to be seen, but he could be primed for a breakout season.

Speedster receiver Calvin Ridley was added to the passing game to give Levis a new weapon. Most importantly, newcomer Lloyd Cushenberry is a terrific plus for the Titans on the offensive line. The former Denver Broncos’ center is a substantial upgrade for the Titans.

This team is coming along, but competing for a divisional title is a step too far. Callahan needs another two years. That’s why the Titans’ AFC South betting odds are a hard pass!