Week 17 AFC South predictions: Key injuries could set back Colts, Jaguars

No ground was gained by any of the three teams tied for the AFC South lead with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars all losing their Week 16 games. 

Houston and Jacksonville have winnable matchups this week while Indianapolis draws the red-hot Raiders, who dropped 63 points on the Los Angeles Chargers and upset the Kansas City Chiefs in back-to-back weeks.

Here are predictions for Week 17’s slate of games:

Houston Texans (8-7) vs. Tennessee Titans (5-10): Fans may be treated to the C.J. Stroud versus Will Levis matchup they were robbed of two weeks ago. Stroud appears to be on track to start after missing two games with a concussion and Levis practiced on Wednesday with no restrictions after missing last week with an ankle injury.

The Texans topped the Titans two weeks ago in Tennessee in a 19-16 overtime nail-biter with backup Case Keenum stepping in for Stroud. Devin Singletary rushed for 121 yards and Noah Brown caught eight passes for 82 yards and a touchdown in that meeting, but Houston’s defense stole the show with 24 pressures, 13 hurries, seven sacks and 12 tackles for loss.

Tennessee’s offensive line has been its weakest link all season, and the coaching staff may be hesitant to throw Levis back out there given what happened to him last time. The team will also likely be starting Andre Dillard at left tackle with Jaelyn Duncan benched last week due to a wrist injury and ineffectiveness. 

If Houston’s pass rush, which generated 27 pressures and 16 hurries last week against the Browns, brings the heat again like it did two weeks ago, this game could get out of hand quickly.

PREDICTION: Texans 28, Titans 19

Indianapolis Colts (8-7) vs. Las Vegas Raiders (7-8): Prior to last week’s disappointing 29-10 loss to the Atlanta Falcons, the Colts were one of the hottest teams in the league having won five of their last six games. With two games left in the regular season and a division title and playoff spot very much within reach, Indy should rebound with a more spirited effort against an equally desperate Raiders team.

With the players lobbying for Antonio Pierce to be named the permanent head coach, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Raiders go all-out over the last two games to try and sneak into the playoffs and keep Pierce around.

Indy’s chances of winning could hinge on whether receiver Michael Pittman Jr. plays or not. He missed last week’s game with a concussion, and QB Gardner Minshew had his fewest passing yards since Week 10. This should be a close one, but the Colts have more to play for.

PREDICTION: Colts 22, Raiders 21

Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-10): Losers of four in a row, the Jaguars couldn’t have played the Panthers at a better time. Carolina ranks 30th in total offense and 29th in scoring, which should be good news for a Jags offense that may have to start C.J. Beathard with Trevor Lawrence nursing a sprained right shoulder.

The Panthers do have the No. 5 defense, so if they have any chance of pulling off a win this week, it’ll be because Jacksonville’s offense couldn’t move the ball. 

If Beathard does start, this could be the perfect get-right game for running back Travis Etienne, who had a season-low six carries for 12 yards last week against Tampa Bay. This should be a low-scoring affair, but Jacksonville is desperate and Carolina has nothing to play for.

PREDICTION: Jaguars 19, Panthers 16