The AFC South figures to be one of the most competitive divisions in the NFL this year save Jacksonville. Sorry, Mr. Minshew.
ESPN’s Tim Hasselbeck agrees:
“I think the division is probably tougher than people realize that it is,” Hasselbeck told Dan Dakich on Wednesday’s Dan Dakich Show.
The Colts, Titans, and Texans are all realistic contenders for the division’s top spot, each capable of making a deep playoff run if the stars align.
“I think when we look at the AFC, everyone says, ‘Alright, Baltimore and Kansas City, those guys are really, really good,’” Hasselbeck said. “And then after that, I think there’s a group of teams that you could say, ‘They could stake claim of being the third best team as you project it out.’”
So who’s in that “group” contending for the third spot? Well, 75% of the AFC South, Buffalo, New England, and Pittsburgh.
“If you have a good roster and you’re able to get into the postseason and give yourself a chance, then I think anything can happen,” Hasselbeck said. “I mean look at the Tennessee Titans and some of the success that they’ve had against teams in the postseason that people wouldn’t have thought they would’ve had as you looked at it [in the] preseason.”
Where does Indy stack up?
“I think the Colts have a really good roster,” Hasselbeck told Dan. “If [Philip] Rivers can protect the football, then I think they’ll be a really interesting team.”
It’s all about getting hot at the right time, and Indianapolis has the pieces capable of putting a run together when it matters most.
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