This season is full of interesting plots with old faces in new places, the Brett Favre saga, and off-season hold outs. These story lines will most certainly have an effect on the outcome of certain teams season's. Injuries have ravaged certain teams, and might open some doors for some clubs to pass the teams that are considered superior in rankings. This post is about the AFC South.
AFC SOUTH:
1. Indianapolis Colts-
Offense: Do I even need to say anything about the Colt's offense other than Peyton Manning? But seriously Manning, along with his plethora of weapons including WRs Reggie Wayne, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie, Anthony Gonzalez, TE Dallas Clark, and RB Joesph Addai make for one of the, if not the scariest offense in league. Manning's study habits and work ethic make him the best quarterback in the league. The Colts offense will destroy opposing defenses week in and week out.
Defense: This Colts defense will look even better than last years with a healthy Bob Sanders and Dwight Freeney. By retaining MLB Gary Brackett to command the defense, the Colts took strides to keep this defense in the same shape if not better shape than the defense that took them to the Super Bowl. Questions still remain in if they can stop the run, but it shouldn't be a problem if Sanders stays healthy. Last years starting rookie CB Jerraud Powers has looked impressive and will a long way to helping the Colts cover opposing receivers.
Season Results: The Colts will be the Colts and win their 12 game minimum. Manning's thirst to get back to the Super Bowl will be the driving force of this powerhouse AFC team.
2. Tennessee Titans-
Offense: Chris Johnson might be the best running back in the league. I am personally not sold, but it is certainly possible that he is. Regardless, Johnson will be the focal point of this offense and instantly makes it a threat. If Vince Young can repeat his performance and leadership abilities from last year (Young was 8-2 in ten starts last year), we might be looking at a play-off contender. Young will have will have speedy Nate Washington and second year WR Kenny Britt to play with. Britt, who has not had a good offseason, will need to step up his game in year two to assure that he was not a bust. The potential is very high for this offensive unit.
Defense: This defense is young with few proven play-makers. It's strength lies in its secondary, with Pro-Bowl corner Cortland Finnegan and two Pro-Bowl caliber safeties in Micheal Griffen and Chris Hope. The loss of Kyle van Dan Bosch really hurt their pass-rush, but they are confident that the young Jason Jones and Jacob Ford can step up and fill those shoes. Their linebacking corps looks solid with Steven Tulloch stepping in as the defensive leader, as long as OLB Colin Allred doesn't prove to be to much of a liability.
Season Results: It is difficult to predict the order of teams in this division after the Colts for me. While it is possible the Titans breakout as an Super Bowl contender, it is unlikely. They will be respectable and in the hunt at the end of the year at 9-7.
3. Houston Texans-
Offense: We all know about Andre Johnson and what he brings to the table as the best wide receiver. The big man is happy with his new contract and poised for another super star season. The question is will Matt Schaub be able to maximize the efficiency of his offense by getting Jacoby Jones involved the game more and will Owen Daniels be able to come back and perform like the tight end he was before that injury put him down. The running game of the Texans will be nothing special, even with fantasy heart throb Arian Foster, RB. In a pass heavy offense, Foster will have to make the most of every carry. He will also have to stay on the field and avoid injury, something he couldn't do last year.
Defense: This defense is the main reason why the Texans are not an elite team. They succeeded it making their secondary even worse by letting go of their former best cover man Dunta Robinson to the Falcons, and didn't add anyone of value to help cover the above mentioned weapons of the Colts. Not only that, but they will not have last years Defensive Rookie of the Year, LB Brian Cushing, for the first four games due to suspension, making DeMeco Ryans and Mario Williams their only legit defensive players for opposing team to game plan against. This defensive is rocky at best.
Season Results: I am not one to believe in the hype that has surrounded the Texans since the end of last season. I do not believe that this will be the year they go to the play-offs. They are 7-9 with a tough schedule.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars-
Offense: With a strong offensive line and an exciting running back in Maurice Jones-Drew, this will be an offense based on the run. There is no question that MJD will produce this season. But the man who has control of how well this offense does is #8 QB David Garrard. This a make or break year for Garrard, who did not look like the Garrard of old last year. He will need his top wide out, Mike Sims-Walker to stay on the field. Mike has flashed huge potential, but injuries have slowed him up. I don't expect much from the passing game of the Jaguars this year.
Defense: This Jaguars defense looks pretty legit. Many key offseason pick-ups improved this team in the front 7. LB Kirk Morrison was added to boost a stud linebacker corps that already included Daryl Smith and Justin Durant. The D-line got 1st round pick DT Tyson Alualu and DE Aaron Kampman from the Packers to help Derrick Harvey. Those additions on the D-line should help create pressure for a team that only amassed 14 sacks TOTAL all YEAR last year. In the secondary, the only really good player, is Justin Durant, and even he has seemed to struggle the past year. He will need that extra pressure to be successful.
Season Result: The Jags and Texans I feel are interchangeable on this list. The AFC South is a tough division, and none of these teams will be terrible. 7-9 is a realistic estimate for the Jags.
Stay tuned, next post will be on the NFC South!
No comments:
Post a Comment