NFL Recap: 2020 AFC South Review

The NFL Draft is finished and we’re getting closer to next season. Here’s our in-depth recap of the 2020 AFC South division. We’ll have our 2021 AFC South preview up in the near future.

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Today, we have the AFC South 2020 review – enjoy.

AFC South Final Standings 2020

The AFC South had a mixture of two playoff teams and two of the worst teams in the NFL.

Tennessee Titans (11-5)

Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Houston Texans (4-12)

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)

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Fourth Place: Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars Team Preview

Yes, the Jaguars ended the season on a 15-game losing streak, but you won’t find many in Jacksonville complaining. The Jaguars were rewarded with the top pick in the draft and will be selecting star quarterback Trevor Lawrence.

It’s a sad state of affairs when a 1-15 season is viewed as a success, but turnarounds can happen fast in the NFL. Jacksonville’s awful season had one bright spot: undrafted running back James Robinson.

Robinson had over 1,400 total yards from scrimmage to go along with 10 touchdowns. The runner pairs nicely with a few other offensive weapons that should have better 2021 seasons.

Receiver DJ Chark played 13 games and battled injuries all year en route to just 700 receiving yards. Rookie swiss-army knife Laviska Shenault showed some potential and will hope to take a leap this coming season.

The Jacksonville defense was one of the league’s worst, and while Lawrence will help the offense, they need to be better.

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Third Place: Houston Texans

Houston Texans Team Preview

Unlike Jacksonville, Houston has nothing to show for its poor season, as Miami owned its first-round pick. It’s hard to talk about the 2020 season in Houston without dwelling on the offseason drama that has followed Deshaun Watson and this team.

Watson has made it clear he wants out of Houston. Now over 20 women have come forward with varying claims of sexual assault. It remains to be seen what will come of the mess in Houston.

On the football field, Watson remains one of the best quarterbacks in the league. He threw for nearly 5,000 yards in 2020, throwing 33 touchdowns to seven interceptions. He added 444 yards and three scores with his legs.

The offensive line was in shambles all season, one of the league’s worst. Franchise icon JJ Watt asked and was granted a release at the end of the year.

The future is looking murky in Houston.

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Second Place: Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts Team Preview

The Colts made the playoffs as the AFC’s seventh seed, losing to Buffalo in the Wild Card round, 27-24. Indianapolis’ success came from a strong defense, a steady offensive line, and an offense with weapons throughout.

The brightest star from 2020 and one to keep an eye on was rookie running back Jonathan Taylor. By the end of the season, Taylor was the Colts bell-cow back. He finished with 1,169 rushing yards and seven touchdowns and caught 36 balls for 299 yards and another score.

The Colts’ wide receiver room consisted of T.Y. Hilton, Zach Pascal and Michael Pittman. All three had big games throughout the season and will be back in 2021.

Philip Rivers had a fine season, his first in Indianapolis. Rivers has since retired, and the Colts went and traded for embattled former Eagle Carson Wentz. Indianapolis hopes to revive Wentz as its quarterback of the future.

Darius Leonard was one of the best linebackers in the league in 2020, finishing with 132 tackles, three sacks, and three forced fumbles in 14 games.

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First Place: Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans Team Preview

The Titans won the AFC South but lost in the first round to the Baltimore Ravens. Tennessee’s defense was nothing special, but their offense truly was. Consistently ranked as a top-five unit both passing and rushing, there weren’t many offenses as dominant as Tennessee in 2020.

Their offensive identity starts and ends with running back Derrick Henry. A force once again, Henry finished with 2,027 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns. The yardage mark is good for fifth-best in NFL history.

Quarterback Ryan Tannehill had another solid season, throwing for 3,819 yards and 33 touchdowns. Tannehill chipped in seven more touchdowns on the ground.

AJ Brown battled through injuries and showed himself to be one of the best young receivers in the game. Brown finished with 1,075 yards and 11 touchdowns.

The Titans will have to replace some juice in the receiving game. The two next leaders in yards, Corey Davis and Jonnu Smith, both left the team in free agency.