Big Cat Country
With the 2025 NFL regular season quickly approaching, now’s the time to get in on season-long bets.
FanDuel Sportsbook is conducting FanDuel Futures Day on Tuesday, August 26 where you can get profit boost tokens around various futures markets throughout the day. The markets will be split up throughout the day, but they will include odds to win the Super Bowl and hypothetical Super Bowl matchups, odds to make or miss the playoffs, win totals, division winners, and player milestones. Head over to FanDuel Sportsbook on Tuesday to take advantage of FanDuel Futures Day.
Let’s do a quick rundown on how the 2025 offseason/preseason has shaken out for each AFC South team.
Odds to win the AFC South: +110
Vibes around top running back Joe Mixon are absolutely horrible. He is currently on the Non-Football Injury (NFI) list, rather than the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, as he continues to rehab from a complicated foot/ankle injury. He’ll probably miss the first four games of the season on Injured Reserve (IR) but there’s no telling if/when he’ll make a 2025 return. That leaves Houston’s running back room as a bit of a mess, with former rookie standout Dameon Pierce battling 29-year-old Nick Chubb for the lead role.
Beyond that, though, the Texans’ worst unit — offensive line — seems to be bound for improvement with a new offensive staff and second-round tackle Aireontae Erery in town. It’d be hard for that group to be any worse than it was in 2024. Former Jaguar Christian Kirk will likely be Nico Collins’ running mate at receiver, even after Houston drafted Iowa State’s Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
On the other side of the ball, second-year safety Calen Bullock has made his presence known throughout the offseason as a rangy ballhawk. DeMeco Ryans’ defense figures to be among the best in the league this year.
Odds to win the AFC South: +340
Hold your nose: third-year head coach Shane Steichen recently announced Daniel Jones as the Colts’ starting quarterback after an offseason battle with former No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson. Yuck.
Jones will provide a level of consistency and competence that the Colts haven’t had at the position in a while, but that’s not exactly a high bar to clear. Indianapolis will lean on star running back Jonathan Taylor and rookie tight end Tyler Warren, who seems due for a big Year 1 role after a strong offseason, for offensive production.
The Colts have a case for being one of the most improved defenses with their hiring of Lou Anarumo to replace our old pal Gus Bradley. Unfortunately for them, though, their secondary remains razor-thin, even after turning to free agency for reinforcements.
Ben Solak noted for ESPN:
When I was at practice, none of these defensive backs practiced: starting safety Nick Cross, starting nickel Kenny Moore II , depth cornerback JuJu Brents, depth cornerback Jaylon Jones. Brents and/or Jones might become starting CBs following...
