The AFC South figures to be the most competitive division in the NFL this season. Three teams — the Texans, Jaguars and Titans — all seem to be at or near the same level of skill, and two of those teams made the postseason a year ago. The fourth team, the Colts, are getting back a transcendent talent at quarterback in Andrew Luck.

There is no dominant team in this division, and the odds-on favorite, Jacksonville, is still +140 at William Hill to repeat as AFC South champions. However, the winner in 2018 might be a familiar face. A team that has division titles in four of the past seven seasons.

The play: The Texans (+180) to win the AFC South.

By all accounts, Deshaun Watson, will be back in the lineup for Week 1 at New England. Even the line is telling this to bettors, as Brandon Weeden would not be a 6 ¹/₂-point dog in Foxborough. With Watson under center, the Texans were 3-3 and averaged 34 points per game. Houston’s offensive attack will be just as explosive with Watson at full strength.

On the other side of the ball, both J.J. Watt and Whitney Mercilus will return from injury to strengthen a very good Texans defense. Bill O’Brien has conquered this division with less, so if this team is healthy, expect a division winner in Houston.