2022 AFC South Title Odds, Picks & Predictions: Colts Are the Favorites

The new-look Colts lead all AFC South teams at -140 to win the division. After a bad collapse at the end of the season, the Colts traded away QB Carson Wentz. Knowing their window for success is still open, Indy opted to trade for long-time veteran Matt Ryan.

The 37-year-old provides some much-needed stability and experience to the Colts QB room. Between Ryan and breakout star Jonathan Taylor, Indy is looking to end the Colts’ seven-year division title drought. 

The defending division champion Titans are second in line at +180. The back-to-back AFC South champs are coming off two straight years of playoff disappointment. Despite tremendous regular-season success, the Ryan Tannehill-Derrick Henry-Mike Vrabel trio has not produced significant playoff success.

Tannehill lost his best weapon at wide receiver in A.J. Brown after the disgruntled young star requested a trade. The Rams got a haul on draft day from the Eagles for Brown. But, the Titans’ playmaking and explosiveness certainly took a hit with Brown’s departure. 

It’s looking like a two-team race for the AFC South in 2022. The Jaguars are next in line all the way at +800. After a debacle of a 2021 season with the short tenure of coach Urban Meyer, the Jags are just looking to have a season of normalcy and development for their 2021 No. 1 overall draft pick Trevor Lawrence. 

2022 AFC South Title Odds

2022 AFC South Champion Prediction: Colts | -140 at BetMGM

In Year 5 of Frank Reich’s reign, I believe he finally has a core that fits his style of offense. With Matt Ryan under center, the Colts have a solid QB who can run the offense and will seldom cost his teams, unlike his predecessor.

Thanks to their second-place finish in 2022, the Colts avoid playing Buffalo and Cincinnati this year, unlike the Titans. Indy was hitting its stride last year before a perplexing loss at Jacksonville cost them a spot in the playoffs.

With more stability and experience at the helm, the Colts are the safe choice to beat out Tennessee for the division. 

The Challenger: Titans | +180 at BetMGM

The road to the AFC South division title will not be easy for Indy. The Titans have the experience and coaching to guide them through another successful regular season.

However, with the big hit Tennessee took in the talent department with the departure of A.J. Brown, it will be tough for the Titans to regain the throne. The hits keep coming for the Titans, this time on defense. It was announced this week that 2021 Pro-Bowl OLB Harold Landry will be out for the season with a torn ACL. A tough blow for a Titans team that relied heavily on its defense to keep them in games.

After a statistically down year in 2021, all eyes will be on QB Ryan Tannehill. He is no stranger to down years in his career, but he always seems to bounce back in a big way. If the veteran QB can find the magic of 2019, they’ll make for a tough challenger for the Colts.