NFL Power Rankings: AFC South Week 7
With six weeks of the 2010 NFL season already in the books, here is a look at the AFC South race, which once belonged to the Indianapolis Colts. But with the Houston Texans and the Tennessee Titans continually
finding ways to win close games, expect the AFC race to come down to the wire.
Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are showing their knack for finishing games with last-minute winning touchdowns. They have done it twice this season with victories over the Washington Redskins and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Pro Bowler Andre Johnson was the recipient of both touchdown receptions.
As a result, the Houston Texans improved their season record to 4-2 and sit atop the AFC South in three-way tie with the Colts and Titans. Houston has tallied 30 points or more in all four of their wins
and will look to keep their offence sharp as the team heads into their bye week.
Indianapolis Colts
How many times are the Indianapolis Colts going to come up short in games that they should win in order to keep their playoff hopes alive? This team does not play well against teams that (at least on paper)
they should be able to manhandle, and have losses to Houston and Jacksonville to show for it.
The Colts have trampled teams in the past and have often started the season undefeated up until late October or early November. This is why they are the defending AFC champions. However, the Colts have
lost two games in the first six weeks of the season. While this may not be alarming for some teams, Indianapolis are not known for losing games early in the season.
Peyton Manning is having a terrific year and their passing offence is averaging 314 yards per game which is second in the NFL. They have a bye week to correct a few tweaks in their defence and find a formula
to put a winning streak together.
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have been particularly good in the first six weeks of the 2010 regular season, but they have been phenomenal on the road. Usually playing away from home is a concern for teams because
of the crowd noise and hostile environment, but the Titans are an impressive 3-0 on the road and 4-2 overall.
"It’s always been a business trip for us,'' Coach Jeff Fisher said. "You leave your distractions at home, you don’t bring them with you, and it’s just been the philosophy that this organization has had.
We’re going to go out there with the intention that everybody that gets on the airplane is working towards winning the football game."
The Titans will try to continue their road success, but will need to win those important home games as well. Tennessee is 1-2 at home and they will look to get back to .500 this weekend as the Titans welcome
the Philadelphia Eagles to LP Field.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars are coming off a disappointing Monday Night Football loss to their division rivals, the Tennessee Titans. They looked absolutely outgunned by the Titans and had to rely on the
services of backup quarterback Trent Edwards, who turned in a dismal performance. Jacksonville also lost their starting quarterback David Garrard, who sustained a concussion in the second quarter after a hit by linebacker Will Witherspoon.
To make matters worst, Edwards injured his thumb on his throwing hand and did not practice with the team. This prompted the Jags to sign free agents Todd Bouman and Patrick Ramsey. Jacksonville (3-3) is
the only team in the AFC South without a winning record and without any word on which of the four quarterbacks will start, the Jags are heading in the wrong direction.
But their offence isn’t the only problem. The Jags have struggled to get a decent pass rush on opposing quarterbacks. They acquired defensive end Aaron Kampman from Green Bay during the off-season, and
he has not been the dominant force that Jacksonville expected. In his six games with his new team, Kampman has only recorded three sacks, and the Jags are 28th in the league at stopping the pass.
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