NFL Predictions: AFC South

Coming off our AFC East and AFC North predictions, here is the AFC South.

4 comments:

  1. Aaron said of the AFC South:

    "The AFC South looks more competitive than it actually will be. Peyton Manning will lead the Colts to another division title.

    Kerry Collins played above his ability last year, and combined with the loss of Haynesworth and paying Vince Young to pout on the sidelines, the Titans will take a small step back, and will be trying to get a wildcard spot.

    The Texans aren't there yet. They've stopped making stupid decisions, but still aren't making the best decisions for long term success. They are right in the middle and n their record reflects it.

    The Jaguars are the most confusing team in the NFL. They have a lot of talented players, but I would not be surprised if they finished anywhere between 6 and 11 wins. Maurice Jones-Drew can carry the load, their O-line should be pretty good, and their defense has talent and has been strong in the past. David Garrard and the receivers are talented names, but they could still be the weak link in this team. Most pundits will say the season rides on Garrard's ability to play like a franchise QB, but I think they can win even if he is average. It feels like the team has a lot of great individuals that lack cohesion. If a strong leader emerges on the defense, this team can win by running the ball and stopping the run."

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  2. I am one of those idiots who thinks the AFC South will be as competitive as it looks. Can't you see at least two playoff teams coming from here, just like last year? Probably Colts and Titans?

    Couldn't the Texans and Titans both be good? I feel like I have NO idea what is going to make them good or bad - their defense and offensive lines could be really good or really bad, I truly have no clue. All I know is that their skill players are all pretty decent - Slaton, Schaub, Owen Daniels, and Andre Johnson in particular make the Texans pretty good.

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  3. I mentioned before that Shawne Merriman will be the biggest addition to any team in the NFL, but that is playing on the fact that he was out last season due to injury. For players on new teams, I said TJ Houshmandzadeh will make a bigger impact than anyone, including Albert Haynesworth. However, the Titans are going to be hurt by Haynesworth leaving significantly more than any other team, including the Bengals losing TJ Who'syourdaddy.

    Tennessee's defense is going to fall pretty far with Albert Haynesworth gone, but that is a testament to just how good he was last year, not a knock on the Titans. Their formula last year was running the ball very well, a top defense (allowed the second fewest points in the NFL), and Kerry Collins occasionally hitting a long or high percentage pass.

    This year, teams will have an easier time scoring on them and their defense will drop to the middle of the pack. Opposing defenses are going to stack the box to stop the run and force Kerry Collins to beat them through the air and I don't think he has it in him. He's a steady, manage-the-game kind of QB and that's all he needed to be last year.

    They finished 13-3. They are going to suffer the biggest drop in the number of wins in the NFL. Going from 13 to 8 or 9 is going to seem like a big disappointment to their fans.

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  4. If defenses stack the box to stop the run, can Collins still throw a screen pass to Chris Johnson for a big gain? Isn't that kind of a counter to 8 men in the box?

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