AFC South Watch: Colts Eye the Crown, But Titans Are Reloading Fast
It’s been over a decade since the Indianapolis Colts last sat atop the AFC South, and after a promising 2025 campaign that was ultimately derailed by injuries, there’s a sense of urgency in Indy. This team is built to win now - and they know it. But as they look ahead to 2026, there’s a familiar division rival that could be making things a lot more complicated.
Let’s talk about the Tennessee Titans.
For the past few seasons, the Colts have had Tennessee’s number. Six straight wins dating back to 2022 - that’s dominance.
Colts fans have taken comfort in knowing that, if nothing else, they were clearly ahead of the Titans in the division pecking order. But that gap might be closing, and fast.
Tennessee Isn’t Running It Back - They’re Rebuilding the Right Way
The Titans are coming off a rough season, no doubt about it. But unlike some teams that try to patch holes and hope for the best, Tennessee is leaning into a full-scale reset. And they’re doing it with purpose.
It starts at the top. The Titans brought in Robert Saleh - a defensive-minded head coach who’s earned a reputation for building tough, disciplined units. He’s the kind of coach who can reshape a culture, and that’s exactly what Tennessee needs.
Then there’s Cam Ward. The young quarterback is raw but promising, and while he took his lumps in Year 1, there were signs of growth as the season wore on. With a year of experience under his belt and a more mature offense around him, Ward could take a big step forward in 2026.
But the biggest potential game-changer? That might be coming with the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft.
David Bailey Could Be a Problem for the AFC South
According to projections, the Titans are eyeing Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey with that top-five selection - and if they land him, the rest of the division better take notice.
Bailey isn’t just another athletic pass rusher with upside. He’s been producing at an elite level.
At 6'3", 250 pounds, he led the FBS with 14.5 sacks this past season. That’s not just impressive - that’s dominant.
But what makes Bailey special is that he’s not a one-trick pony. He racked up 81 total quarterback pressures and 40 run stuffs, showing he can impact the game on all three downs.
In Saleh’s system, which thrives on aggressive, disciplined front-seven play, Bailey could be a plug-and-play force. The Titans were near the bottom of the league in both yards allowed per play (5.8) and points allowed per game (28.1) last season.
That’s the kind of defensive vulnerability that costs you games. Bailey won’t fix everything overnight, but he’s the kind of foundational piece who can start turning those numbers around.
Colts Can’t Afford to Look Down the Standings Anymore
For the Colts, this is a pivotal moment. The AFC South is no longer just about chasing the Jaguars or holding off the Texans. Tennessee, once a team you could pencil in for two wins a year, is starting to retool in a meaningful way.
Indianapolis still has the edge - they’ve proven that on the field. But if the Titans hit on Bailey, and if Cam Ward continues to develop, those easy wins might not be so easy anymore.
The Colts need every edge they can get in a division that’s becoming more competitive by the year. They can’t afford to slip - not with a team like Tennessee quietly building something that could be dangerous sooner than expected.
Bottom line: The race for the AFC South crown just got a little more interesting.