AFC South Breakdown: Dark Horse Team On The Rise?

Jun 16, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; At left, Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley watches as quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws a pass during minicamp at the Florida Blue Health and Wellness Practice Fields. Mandatory Credit: Phil Sears-USA TODAY Sports

The AFC South is a division which has been dominated by the Indianapolis Colts since being formed in 2002, the same year the Houston Texans were initiated into the NFL. The Colts have won the division nine times since that season, including four of the past six.

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The Houston Texans won it the two times in-between those six and the only other team to win the division is the Tennessee Titans. Tennessee won those divisional titles in 2002, the inaugural year, and again 2008.

Which brings us to the one team that has never won the AFC South, but has slowly built a team worth taking a serious look at in my opinion, the Jacksonville Jaguars.

I know, a lot of people may have scoffed at the idea that I say it is time to take this team serious, but let’s look for a minute at the way this team is structured, and a few reasons why they could be a dark horse contender in the south.

Quarterback

2,908 yards with 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions is nothing to brag about, but let’s be honest about one thing. The current quarterback for the Jaguars, Blake Bortles, has the tools to succeed. This not Blaine Gabbert they are throwing out there anymore.

Bortles has the size (6’5″ 232 pounds) and the arm strength to make it in the NFL. What surprised me most about him though was the mobility he showed at times, as he ran for his life. Sorry Jags fans, but that O-line did him no favors last year.

Despite his rookie lumps, I think Bortles has what it takes to make the leap in year two and begin to show why he was selected third overall by the Jaguars in 2014.

Oct 26, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Allen Robinson (15) attempts to catch the ball in the first quarter against the Miami Dolphins at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Richard Dole-USA TODAY Sports

Youth At Receiver

The depth chart at receiver for Jacksonville includes a lot of young players like Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee, Ace Sanders and a running back/receiver hybrid in Denard Robinson.

Lee and Robinson were both second round selections in 2014 and performed well enough for rookie receivers with a rookie quarterback. Look for both to be ready for much more responsibility in 2015 and to have even more of a strong rapport with Bortles.

Robinson, at 6’3″ and 210 pounds grabbed 48 receptions and 548 yards during his rookie campaign and looks to have all the tools to be a solid go-to-guy in the NFL for many years to come.

Next: Offseason Improvements