Saturday, September 4, 2010

AFC South Preview and Predictions

1. Indianapolis Colts - 13-3
You can always count on the Colts to have one of the best offenses in the league, and they may have the best in 2010. Peyton Manning is getting better with age, and he has a full stable of thoroughbred receives to throw to: Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Pierre Garcon, Austin Collie and Anthony Gonzalez will all get a ton of targets this season. If there is any question mark in the Colts offense, it lies upon the shoulders of RB Joseph Addai. Addai made a splash in his first two years as a Colt, rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. In his third and fourth seasons, however, Addai has failed to break 1,000 yards, mostly due to a reduction in the amount of carries he was given.
The Colts defense is good, but it's never at full strength. Defensive Back Bob Sanders is usually the one who is injured, but if it's not him, it's Dwight Freeny or Robert Mathis. The Colts defense comes in at full strength to start the 2010 season, and if they can remain injury free, look for them to be one of the best defenses in the NFL.

2. Tennessee Titans - 12-4
The Vince Young resurgence will be tested for a full season in 2010, luckily, he has the best running back in the league to help him. Chris Johnson had a monster 2009 campaign, which led to a contract dispute at the beginning of training camp. The Titans brass worked out a new deal with Johnson, and he is set to try and build upon the greatness he achieved last season. The wide receivers are a big problem for the Titans, Nate Washington, Justin Gage, and Kenny Britt have never been go to receivers, and one of them is gonna have to step and take that role.
I like the Titans defense a lot, Middle Linebacker Stephen Tulloch is primed for another huge season, and veteran Linebacker Will Witherspoon was signed in the offseason to bring some stability and leadership on defense. The biggest strength for the Titans defense is their Defensjve Backs, Cortland Finnegan, Michael Griffin and Chris Hope combined for 9 interceptions last season, and Jason McCourty will play his first full season as a starting Cornerback.
The key to the Titans success will be Vince Young. Can he keep it together for an entire season and lead the Titans deep into the playoffs? It should be fun to watch

3. Houston Texans - 8-8
There is no question about how good the Texans offense is, Matt Schaub is now an elite NFL Quarterback, Andre Johnson is arguably the best Wide Recievers in the league. After a lackluster 2009 season from Steve Slaton, Houston has turned over the starting RB job to second year man out of The University of Tennessee, Arian Foster. Foster is a big, bruising back who has underrated speed and agility, Foster is also a good receiver out of the back field. Matt Schaub needs a secondary option to throw to, and that will be deep threat WR Kevin Walter. Walter was injured for most of last season, and didn't get to make much of an impact, but look for him to get a lot of deep targets this season.
The Texans have some good pieces on defense, but it's not one that will outright win you games. Mario Williams, Brian Cushing, DeMeco Ryans, and Kareem Jackson are all elite NFL defenders at their positions, but there are too many holes to consider Houston's defensive squad an elite one.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars - 5-11
Maurice Jones-Drew is easily considered as one of the top three RB's in the NFL, and rightfully so. In 2009, MJD rushed for nearly 1,400 yards and reached pay dirt 15 times. Look for MJD to build on those stats in 2010. Quarterback David Garrard is one of the most accurate passers in the league, but he is not one that can beat you with his arm. The receiving core is lead by 2009 breakout Mike Sims-Walker. Last season, MSW lead the Jags in receptions (63), receiving yards (869), and receiving TD's (7) on limited time. Jacksonville doesn't have much to offer for Garrard at the WR position past Mike Sims-Walker, so look for them to try and address that with some sort of trade this season.
The Jags defense is definitely not going to help win games. It's sort of a rag tag bunch of guys, but they made some progress by signing Defensive End Aaron Kampman away from Green Bay and Linebacker Kirk Morrisson away from Oakland.

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