In part five of the MikesPickz NFL Breakdown, we will take a look at the AFC South.
2009 Standings:
Indianapolis Colts – 14-2 *Playoffs
Houston Texans – 9-7
Tennessee Titans – 8-8
Jacksonville Jaguars – 7-9
2010 Preseason:
Tennessee Titans – 2-2
Jacksonville Jaguars – 2-2
Houston Texans – 1-3
Indianapolis Colts – 0-4
2010 Regular Season Predictions:
Indianapolis Colts – 13-3
Houston Texans – 9-7
Tennessee Titans – 9-7
Jacksonville Jaguars – 7-9
Team Breakdowns:
Indianapolis Colts:
The Indianapolis Colts will once again be one of the premier teams in the NFL. The offensive core of Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, and Dallas Clark is still intact and they should be able to continue to put up solid numbers each week. Joseph Addai and Donald Brown will get the job done at the Running-back position, although I am not sold on either of them as being stellar backs (but they don’t have to be). The defensive line is among the best in the league with Robert Mathis and Dwight Freeney at the end positions. The secondary is much better when Bob Sanders is on the field and that has been a rare occurrence over the past two seasons (8 games out of 32). If Sanders stays healthy, the Colts could post one of the better defenses in the league.
Houston Texans:
The Houston Texans should be able to have their second winning season in franchise history thanks to their stellar offense. The Texans offense tends to get over looked in the division with Peyton Manning and Co., but Matt Schaub has posted two consecutive seasons with a 90+ QB Rating, including last season’s 4770 yard (98.6 Rating) performance. Andre Johnson is the best wide receiver in the NFL and Kevin Walter has been a solid secondary option. Arian Foster has had a solid preseason and he looks ready to take over as the starting Running-back. The defense will once again be the Texans’ Achilles Heel. Mario Williams (DE) and DeMeco Ryans (LB) are great defenders, but the secondary will leave something to be desired.
Tennessee Titans:
The Tennessee Titans were happy to finish last season at 8-8, considering they started 0-6. I expect that this season they will have a better start, but the end result will be about the same. Chris Johnson is obviously the best player on the offensive side of the ball, and I think every team will have that in mind against the Titans. Johnson’s numbers will take a slight drop from his record setting performance of last season, but he will still be considered the best Running-back in the NFL. Vince Young seems to be a natural leader on the field, but he has limited options other than Johnson. The defense of the Titans is average at best, with Cortland Finnegan (CB) being their best weapon.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
The Jacksonville Jaguars will be looking up once again in the AFC South. Maurice Jones-Drew is clearly the best player on the team, and he will continue to get plenty of touches (365 last year, which was 3rd most in the NFL). Jones-Drew has had some injury problems during the off-season, but he is expected to play in Week 1. David Garrard is an average QB. He isn’t the QB that only threw 3 INTs in 2007, but he is smart with the ball. The problem is he has one option at WR. Outside of Mike Sims-Walker, the Jags don’t have a great group of receivers. On defense, I liked the addition of Aaron Kampman (DE), but I still think they need some help in the secondary (don’t many teams).
Photo Credit: iSportacus.com
