It's only two weeks into the season, and things can change quickly after a few straight wins. That said, the AFC South looks fairly weak, as only the Jacksonville Jaguars have accounted for a win, while the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans, and Tennessee Titans are all 0-2.
The Colts weren't expected to compete for their division to begin with, largely because the Texans are projected to fight the Jaguars for the top spot, and the Texans have started completely off thanks to their defense. Overall, the division has struggled, which means the Colts have an open window to some measure of success if things continue as is.
This is good news for the Colts, as a lot is riding on this season amid uncertainty around the coaches, the general manager, and a five-year playoff absence. The seat is hot, and the expectations are high. Right now, the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars struggling is the best thing the Colts could ask for.
The Indianapolis Colts can only hope the Texans, Titans, and Jaguars continue to lose
As the Colts prepare for their first tilt of the season against the Texans, a win will give them the division edge. A loss will do the same for Houston. You have to imagine the Texans' defense will come back to life, given how elite the group was last year. On top of that, C.J. Stroud looked like a better version of himself in Week 1, so there's that.
It will be a massive game for the Colts, who cannot afford to go to 0-3 while their division rival goes to 1-2. Furthermore, if the Jaguars beat the New England Patriots, Jacksonville will take control of the division at 2-1. A Colts win is almost a necessity for them on Sunday.
One factor that can help Indianapolis avoid a 0-3 start is what their defense does against Stroud and the Texans' offense. The Colts have given up 1,029 yards through two games, the second-highest total in NFL history through Week 2. To make matters worse, their defense is allowing 514.5 yards and 37.0 points per game, while opponents are averaging 7.2 yards per play.
These types of numbers will result in losses nine times out of ten. If the Texans' offense goes off in Week 3, the Colts could be in for a rough outing on their home turf. A win, however, keeps the division doors open. Right now, no one is a frontrunner unless the Jaguars bounce back and continue on their projected path.
If the AFC South struggles as a whole this season, the Colts may not be out of it like many believed before the season even started.
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