Jaguars should have no trouble exceeding projected win totals for 2024

The Jacksonville Jaguars made several changes in the offseason and should have no trouble reclaiming the AFC South in 2024. But despite the upgrades they've made, the Jags have been given relatively low win totals.

DraftKings released their win totals for the 2024 season and Jacksonville sits at 8.5, the same amount as the Indianapolis Colts. On the other hand, the Tennessee Titans are projected to win 5.5 games while the Houston Texans are expected to run with the division with a projected 9.5 wins.

The Super Bowl winner Kansas City Chiefs, the San Francisco 49ers, and the Baltimore Ravens have the highest win totals among all 32 teams at 11.5. Meanwhile, the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers have the lowest projected wins at 4.5.

Jacksonville was projected to win 9.5 games in 2023 after making the playoffs and winning the AFC South the year prior. After an 8-3 start, it seemed like they were going to have no trouble exceeding expectations. Unfortunately, it all came to a screeching halt, as they managed to win just one game the rest of the way.

Even then, the Jags still had a chance to win the AFC South and make the playoffs entering the finale but the Titans beat them, effectively paving the way for the Texans to seize the division. Following a disappointing end to 2023, the Jaguars relieved defensive coordinator Mike Caldwell and most assistants on his side of the ball. They brought in Ryan Nielsen to take his place and later addressed several needs in free agency. However, their division foes have also been busy in the offseason.

The Indianapolis Colts kept most of their key free agents from leaving while the Houston Texans landed defensive end Danielle Hunter and brought back tight end Dallas Schultz. Tennessee, for their part, didn't want to stay behind so they poached wide receiver Calvin Ridley and traded for cornerback L'Jarious Sneed, giving head coach Brian Callahan enough playmakers to get off to a strong start.

The Jacksonville Jaguars can exceed win total and win the AFC South

All things considered, the Jaguars' win totals for 2024 are fair. They fell short of expectations last year and Houston proved to be the better team of the two. That said, being kept out of the playoffs seemed to have been a wake-up call for Jacksonville. Since the end of the season, they've operated with a sense of urgency, making changes to the coaching staff and the roster.

It won't be easy to dethrone the Texans, who've found a franchise quarterback in C.J. Stroud. Similarly, beating Indy will not be a walk in the park. They were in the thick of the playoff race in 2023 despite the fact that they lost Anthony Richardson to a shoulder injury for most of the year. The Titans could also be tough to beat. Although they're in the middle of a rebuild, they spare no expense to make upgrades to the roster in free agency.

Having said that, the Jaguars have enough weapons on both sides of the ball not to fall behind in the AFC South arms race. Moreover, they should get Christian Kirk and Zay Jones back and Trevor Lawrence should bounce back after taking a step back last year.

The bottom line is that the AFC South is poised to be more competitive than it has been in previous years. However, the Jaguars have as good a chance to finish 2024 at the top.

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