State of the AFC South: Week 11

The division finally came into focus last week during the early games on Sunday. The Titans faced the Patriots and established themselves as a contender in the division with a blowout win. Meanwhile, the Colts may have eliminated the Jaguars from the AFC South race in Indianapolis. Jacksonville already has six losses and has lost to all three division opponents, it may be over for the Jags in 2018. The other three teams are only separated by two games with seven games to play, this week will show who is here to stay.

Current Standings

Houston Texans 6-3, 2-1 in division

Tennessee Titans 5-4, 2-0 in division

Indianapolis Colts 4-5, 1-1 in division

Jacksonville Jaguars 3-6, 0-3 in division

Pittsburgh Steelers at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars beat the Patriots in Week 2 and everybody was calling them the favorite to win the AFC. Since then, the Jaguars have one win over the New York Jets and six losses. This team has been bad over the past two months and it isn’t just the offense. The “elite” Jaguars defense has allowed 40 points to the Cowboys and 29 to the Colts. They would need to win out to have a chance to make the playoffs, and they won’t.

Jacksonville beat Pittsburgh twice last year at Heinz Field, but this isn’t the same team. The Steelers may not be the same team on the road, but they are rolling right now. Pittsburgh will want to prove last year’s losses were flukes and bury the Jaguars even further with their sixth straight loss.

Prediction: Steelers 37 Jaguars 14

Houston Texans at Washington Redskins

The Texans may be on the worst six game winning streak of all time. They probably should not have three of those wins, but they do and they lead the AFC South. Coming off of the bye, they face another team looking to take control of their divisional race. The Redskins are 6-3 and hold a two game lead over the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East. A win at home would be huge in putting that division away, but they have a pretty unimpressive 6-3 record too.

This game is big for both teams, but the Texans have had two weeks to prepare and the Redskins haven’t been as good at home this year. Houston will find a way to win late again and look ahead to a big Monday Night Football game against the Titans.

Prediction: Texans 27 Redskins 23

Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

The Titans have never beaten Andrew Luck. This is pretty impressive considering how long he has played in the league. However, it is less impressive when you think of how bad the Titans were during Luck’s early years. Now this team is hungry coming off of one of the bigger wins by the franchise in recent memory. They finally ended the streak of losing to the Colts last year early in the season, then later they won their first game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The streaks will continue to end.

Tennessee is playing their best football right now and won’t be looking past a streaking Colts team. Winning the games they should win is key, and a win in Indy will set up a battle for the division lead in Houston next week.

Prediction: Titans 30 Colts 24