The Jacksonville Jaguars have taken several steps in the right direction after going 4-13 last year. In fact, several analysts believe that they could stun the NFL and make the playoffs in Year 1 of the Liam Coen era. But not everyone is sold on them. For instance, Lou Scataglia of NFL Spin Zone doesn't think the overhaul the Jags have undergone the past few months will account for much.
Scataglia projects the Houston Texans to win the AFC South next season, pointing out that their beefed-up offensive line could make them a perennial playoff team.
"For the third year in a row, the Houston Texans win the AFC South, but this time, they earn the third seed in the AFC," Scataglia says. "Houston fielding a competent offensive line could be what unlocks this roster for the long term."
Like the Jags, Houston prioritized fortifying their offensive trenches in the offseason. Aside from trading for offensive guard Ed Ingram, they locked up left tackle Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson in free agency. Then again, it's hard to tell how much better the Texans will be up front next season.
After all, Robinson wasn't particularly great in Jacksonville, and Tomlinson has progressively gotten worse. Similarly, Ingram was underwhelming in 2024. Then again, Houston is the reigning division champion, and dethroning it won't be a walk in the park.
Circling back to Scataglia's projection, he has the Cincinnati Bengals and the Los Angeles Chargers as the Wild Card teams, leaving Jacksonville on the outside looking in. On the other hand, he has the Kansas City Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens, and the Buffalo Bills as the other division champions.
The Jaguars can challenge the Texans but must win games to earn goodwill
All things considered, nobody would bat an eye if the Jacksonville Jaguars fail to qualify for the postseason in 2025. After all, they revamped the roster earlier this year, moving on from several veteran mainstays such as wide receiver and tight end Evan Engram. On top of that, they have a new head coach in Liam Coen and a first-time general manager in James Gladstone. This is a convoluted way to say that they're in rebuilding mode, so expectations aren't particularly high.
Having said that, the Jags have enough pieces in place to challenge the Houston Texans for the AFC South crown. Their upgrades to the offensive line are arguably better. Similarly, Travis Hunter will join a stacked receiver corps that already included Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. On top of that, they have a crowded backfield after the additions of Bhayshul Tuten and LeQuint Allen in the draft. Even if the team's brass moves on from Travis Etiennne, they should have no trouble pounding the football.
The biggest X-Factor, however, will be Trevor Lawrence. The former Clemson Tiger is coming off an unremarkable campaign and is recovering from a shoulder injury. If he can bounce back and play like he did in 2022, though, the Jags should have no trouble winning 10 games next season.
The bottom line is that the Texans are the team to beat in the AFC South, but they cannot take the Jaguars lightly. Otherwise, they run the risk of ceding the division.
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