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Hot takes for each team in the AFC South

The AFC South was arguably the weakest division in the NFL in 2024, but a strong case can be made that each team improved during the offseason. The Houston Texans have won the division title each of the last two years, but the rest of the field could be closing in on them.

The Tennessee Titans have a new franchise quarterback in Cam Ward, the Indianapolis Colts have an underrated roster, and the Jacksonville Jaguars have added an influx of young talent. With that in mind, our guys Destin Adams and Kyle Crabbs collaborated to come up with their hottest takes on each team in the AFC South. Here’s what they came up with:

Texans don’t get over .500 until Week 18: “The Houston Texans get a tough couple of draws to start the year for a team that's rebuilding their offensive line. The Rams and Buccaneers in the first two weeks present some matchup challenges that push even the best front five. As a result, I think the Texans start the year in an 0-2 hole, which isn't the end of the world by any means.

“But finding the stretches to climb back over .500 may push deeper into the season when you see games like at Baltimore in Week 5, a tough west coast trip against Mike MacDonald after the bye in Week 7, Denver in Week 9, Buffalo in Week 12, and at Kansas City in Week 14. I think the Texans float around .500 all season after a predicted 0-2 start — but this is supposed to be a bold bet, so I'll say they sit at 8-8 and finally get above .500 for the first time on the year in a home win against the Colts to close the regular season." —Kyle

Does Destin agree? Find out here

Titans UDFA Xavier Restrepo will eventually start at slot WR: “For any UDFA to make an NFL roster, they have an uphill battle. The Titans, though, have a unique situation on their hands with Xavier Restrepo. The first reason was that he was being projected as high as a third-round pick just a month prior to the draft, and nearly no one saw him going undrafted as an option.

“Another reason is that he landed with his QB last year at Miami in Cam Ward, who was lobbying for Tennessee to sign him after the draft concluded. I think he has a very good shot at making the Titans roster, and by the end of the year, I suspect we will see him take over the starting slot WR job and continue to build on the connection he has with Ward." —Destin

Does Kyle agree? Find out here

QB Anthony Richardson rushes for more touchdowns than he throws in 2025: “I believe that we're going to see Danny Dimes at the helm when the Dolphins come to town to play the Colts in Week 1. There have been too many warning signs of a situation that's simply not coming together for Richardson. His lost time during the spring only gives Daniel Jones more of an edge in the open competition.

“But Richardson is too good of a force multiplier as a power runner with a potent set of weapons to simply not find a contributing opportunity. Red zone, short-yardage, etc.? I think Richardson can be a killer weapon here amid the presence of Jonathan Taylor and rookie Tyler Warren. And, given the on-field opportunities a role like that can present, I think Richardson runs more than he throws while Jones carries the primary passing responsibilities." —Kyle

Does Destin agree? Find out here

Jaguars WR/CB Travis Hunter plays significantly more snaps on offense than defense: “One of the most debated topics of the 2025 NFL Draft cycle is which position Travis Hunter should prioritize at the next level. Is he a CB, a WR, or better yet, can he actually do both at a high level? The Jaguars have made it clear he's going to play both sides of the ball, and they gave up a large price on draft day to bring him to Jacksonville to do just that.

“I have a hard time seeing him be a full-time WR and CB at the NFL level though. I believe he is going to form one of the best young WR duos in the league with Brian Thomas, and once they have success, I just don't see them being willing to take him off the field on offense, whereas I think ultimately he will be used more sparingly on defense. My more specific take on the subject is that Hunter will play over 85% of the offensive snaps as a rookie, and I think he falls under 75% on defense." —Destin

Does Kyle agree? Find out here

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Hot takes for each team in the NFC West

The NFC West could be a sneakily fun division in 2025. It has been largely dominated by the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams over the past several years, but don’t sleep on the Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. Destin and Kyle continued their hot takes series on the NFC West. Here’s what they camp up with for each team:

Cardinals RB James Conner will set a career high in rushing yards: “Talk about getting better with age. Conner first set a career-best mark in Arizona in 2023 with his first career 1,000-yard season. Then, in 2024, he topped his career best again and still averaged over 4.5 yards per carry in the process. In his age-29 season.

“Conner will continue to be Arizona’s offensive tone-setter on the ground and the beneficiary of one of the best tight end rooms in football. Trey McBride, Tip Reiman, and Elijah Higgins give the Cardinals the ability to load up and play heavy, plus Kyler Murray’s threat in the zone read creates more spacing to prevent defenses from loading the interior gaps. It’s a match made in heaven, and in 2025, Conner will again set a career-best rushing mark." —Kyle

Does Destin agree? Find out here

Rookie Terrance Ferguson leads Rams TEs in yards and receptions: “During the draft cycle, no TE raised their stock more than Oregon’s Terrance Ferguson. I thought he had a fantastic week at the Senior Bowl and was one of the few TEs to stand out during the Scouting Combine. This led him to be selected in the second round, and I loved that he landed with the Los Angeles Rams. I think he will become a reliable target for Matthew Stafford as a rookie, and I believe he will ultimately outplay veteran Tyler Higbee and be the Rams’ top TE in 2025." —Destin

Does Kyle agree? Find out here

QB Brock Purdy has his worst year since becoming the 49ers' full-time starter: “The 49ers chose to give Brock Purdy a massive extension this offseason. If he can be what he was in 2023, they won’t have any regrets. Sadly, I don't see that happening, though. I think the version we saw last year is more likely attainable, but there's a world where he struggled to reach those numbers. The 49ers roster has lost a lot of talent over the last two off-seasons, and Purdy isn't the type of QB who's going to elevate players around him. I think the 49ers are going to experience major buyer's remorse after the 2025 season concludes, maybe not Daniel Jones level, but regret nonetheless." —Destin

Does Kyle agree? Find out here

Seattle finishes top-8 in three major defensive categories: yards, points allowed, and EPA/play: “I am buying Mike Macdonald in Year 2 of his scheme in Seattle. The Seahawks finished last season 8th in total defensive EPA, 11th in points allowed, and 14th in yards allowed. The bold bet here is not that Seattle will be well represented in any one of these three categories, but that they will be consistent enough on defense to be well represented in all three.

“Macdonald, in his second season, plus a well-invested defensive front and a much more settled linebacker group than he had last year, should set the stage for Seattle to hit the ground running. The season outlook in Seattle lies in how well they get on with an offensive overhaul, but I’m willing to bet the defense carries the Seahawks into contention." —Kyle

Does Destin agree? Find out here

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