AFC South Preview
The AFC South division has belonged to Peyton Manning and his Indianapolis Colts for six of the last eight seasons. Will this year be any different? Here is a preview of the AFC South:
Indianapolis Colts: The Colts have one of the National Football League’s top three quarterbacks in Manning (with respect to Drew Brees and Tom Brady) and have carefully assembled a dominant corps of receivers for Manning to throw to. The Colts were dominant all of last season and were essentially a bad throw away from becoming Super Bowl champions last season.
In addition to Manning’s methodical passing, the Colts have an asset in their very well developed defence. The Colts desperately need star safety Bob Sanders to manage a healthy full season for the first time since 2007.
The only major problem the Colts have is their ageing and slightly ineffective offensive line. The cracks in this line have been hidden for quite some time by Manning’s lightning-quick release, but the veteran line needs to step up and protect Manning. Without a strong offensive line, the Colts’ running game has been sluggish.
Luckily the Colts do have Manning running the show, so as long as No. 18 is healthy, the Colts should be atop the division.
Tennessee Titans: The Titans finished a mediocre 8-8 last season and did not make the play-offs. However, this was quite the turnaround from their initial 0-6 start to the season. Coach Jeff Fisher is a good motivator and knows how to run the team well, even though the Titans face numerous issues.
Quarterback Vince Young is a competitor and a winner, but by most standards he seems to lack the skill set to be a truly dominant NFL quarterback. Last season Young impressed by winning eight of the ten games he started, but he has yet to play a strong full season at the helm.
Running back Chris Johnson proved himself the best rusher in the League last season and will be seeking to continue his reign of dominance for his position. Unfortunately, he is the Titans’ only consistent offensive production. Troubles with Young aside, it’s not as if Tennessee has really provided their quarterbacks with premier targets.
All in all, the Titans will be an interesting team that won’t be able to win the division.
Houston Texans: The Texans were the second-best team in the AFC South last season and look on pace to remain that way this year.
The Texans have a great offence that ranked fifth in the AFC in points scored and complement it with a defence that is tenth in the conference. Quarterback Matt Schaub has continued getting better each year, and Andre Johnson remains one of the League’s top receivers.
Their defence will be missing Brian Cushing due to a suspension, but the Texans should still be a strong team capable of improving on their 2009 record of 9-7.
Realistically, in 2010 the Texans will compete with the Colts for the division title but will fall just short. They should be able to make it to the play-offs as a wild card and within a few seasons may be the ones considered the best in the division.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars were a 7-9 team that played like a 4-12 team last season. Although they have one of the NFL’s best all-purpose backs in Maurice Jones-Drew, that’s about all that Jacksonville has.
The blow-up of this franchise is imminent. The team cannot sell enough games to be televised regularly, and has made no strides in becoming a contender. This season the Jaguars have a soft schedule but will not be anywhere near contention. Expect another struggling season for a team that might not be remaining in Jacksonville for too long.
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