AFC South Preview

AFC South – After the Colts, things get very interesting in the AFC South. There are no, flat-out, bad teams in this division; therefore, any of the remaining three teams could challenge for a wild card spot. I guess that’s why they play the games.

Houston Texans – Andre Johnson is the best WR in the NFL, hands down. Schaub is an above average QB as well; however, their rush offense was abysmal last season. With no real changes to their primary or backup running backs (rookie Ben Tate is out with an injury) I expect the Texans to be pass heavy on offense again this season. Defensively, they lost Dunta Robinson – their best DB – so it will be up to Amobi Okoye and Mario Williams to help a relatively weak core of DBs by putting pressure on the quarterback. Projected record: 9-7

Tennessee Titans – Here’s to hoping QB Vince Young can start (and end) a successful season. In his four years as a Titan, Young has been much more effective taking over mid-season. He’ll need to prove to haters (and shrinks) that he can last a full 16-game season and the ups and downs of the playoff hunt. I don’t know if CJ will rush for 2,500 like he claims this season, but I would love to see him try. If there’s one team to watch in this division (other than Indy) it’s the Titans. Projected record: 9-7

Jacksonville Jaguars – Jacksonville is probably the weakest team out of this division, which doesn’t do justice to how solid this group can be. Mike Sims-Walker is an up-and-coming star in this league, and could have his first 1,000 yard season as David Garrard’s primary target. MJD is going to get his touches and will be looked on to lead the offense this year (not carry it on his back). Jacksonville has always had a speedy, aggressive defense and the addition of Morrison at middle linebacker only makes them quicker (albeit a bit softer against the run). Projected record: 6-10

Indianapolis Colts – Peyton Manning’s crew will not disappoint this year. One bold prediction from me is that Addai will be a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since 2007. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry for the second half of last season, as opposed to the 3.3 yards per carry he put up in weeks 1-8. The return of Bob Sanders to their defense is vastly underrated. If he can stay healthy, he will give them toughness as well as depth in the secondary (now that they know Melvin Bullitt can be a legitimate starter). The Colts pass defense will likely be in the top-5 of the league this year, you can count on that. Projected record: 12-4

The bottom line is that Indy is still the class of the AFC North, and will be as long as Peyton Manning is calling the shots behind center. The Texans finally got their first winning season in franchise history on the arm of Matt Schaub; however, the defense will have to prove itself if they want to get to the playoffs. If the whole team “works” as hard as Brian Cushing, they should be fined...oops, I mean, fine. Tennessee is missing Keith Bullock – their heart and soul on defense – and that could mean trouble for an already shaky Titans defense. Because of that, it’s hard to say whether or not they will challenge for an AFC wild card spot. Jacksonville is still a few years and a franchise QB away from the postseason. Not to take anything away from Garrard, but I think his solid-not-spectacular level of play won’t be enough to get his team over the hump.

By Aaron Hilton
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