NFL Division Preview Series: AFC SOUTH

By: Chris

1. Tennessee Titans (12-4)

As previously mentioned, I love the combinations of having a stout defense and dominant rushing attack which are key ingredients to a legit championship run. The Titans have both. Chris Johnson is poised to repeat his superb rookie campaign last season, and with Lendale (previously LenWHALE) White looking more athletic after offseason workouts, they should prove to be a nice 1-2 punch. The Titans were 7th in the league in rushing yards per game, and still have their O-line, including stud LT Michael Roos, intact. At QB, they have the grizzled vet Kerry Collins who is a great game manager and does enough to win games, mostly by never putting up remarkable stats. This season, he has a new weapon in possession/speed combination receiver Nate Washington, which can't hurt. On the defensive side of the football, the Titans suffered a huge loss in Albert Haynesworth. By far one of the biggest forces on the defensive line in the league, but smartly, the Titans didn't pay $100 million+ for this guy. Last year's defense was in the top 10 for both passing and rushing yards per game. Look for their pass defense to continue to thrive, boasting one of the best 1-2 cornerback combos in the league in Cortland Finnegan and Nick Harper, with reliable safeties Chris Hope and Michael Griffin over the top. This team has all of the elements to be a legit playoff team: rushing attack + defense + a veteran QB that knows his role. Look for them to make some hay in the AFC playoffs.

2. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)

Even though Peyton Manning has been critiqued for having an "average" season last year, he still finished with over 4,000 yards passing (for the 3rd straight year), had over 65% of passes completed (for the 7th straight year), and threw even less picks last season than the year before. Still, this guy is arguably the best QB in football and therefore does assessed rather strictly sometimes. Either way, I expect for him to bounce back this season after looking a little hesitant at times in certain situations in regard to his past offseason knee injury. At this point, he looks great in camp and is praising the team overall. The offense carries over from last year, with no marquee additions, and Manning still has his spread offense weapons including Wayne, Gonzalez, and Clark. Meanwhile, their draft pick Donald Brown, has shown promise in the preseason and could be a nice sleeper this season, as he figures to steal some carries from aging Joseph Addai. The Colts are arguably deeper and more talented on the defensive side of the football field. Starting at the ends, with the scary double digit sack combo of Mathis and Freeney, opposing QBs constantly deal with pressure in their face. The secondary features an unbelievable safety tandem in All Pro stud Bob Sanders and his counterpart, tackle machine Antoine Bethea. One of the most underrated corners in the league, Kelvin Hayden, completes a legit 1-2 punch with Marlin Jackson, making the Colts defense very pass-proof (6th in the league in pass defense, allowing a mere 188.1 passing yards per game). This team is more than solid, but the division, conference, and schedule is tough, yet they are playoff bound for sure.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars (8-8)

After a dismal and disappointing 2008 campaign, the Jaguars truly can't go any lower. The loss of Fred Taylor, although not major, should still not be overlooked. It's time for versatile back Maurice Jones-Drew to step into the #1 spot now and prove that he is an every down back. David Garrard, usually one of the rather quiet Top 15 quarterbacks in the league statistically, had a 20 point QB rating drop from the previous year. Now, with the addition of future Hall of Famer Torry Holt as their #1, he looks to improve that and return to old form. Furthermore, the offensive line, now completely healthy after being plagued by injuries last season, looks to be one of the best units in the AFC, with the addition of Tra Thomas. On the defensive side of the football, I am concerned about the lack of pressure from the defensive ends. Harvey and Hayward combined for a pitiful 8 sacks last season, allowing QBs enough time to let plays develop and pick apart the defense. In the middle, Big John Henderson is one of the top tackles in the league, and really plugs up the hole with his size (6'7", 335 lbs). The linebacking core is an underrated trio, especially Daryl Smith and young stud Justin Durant, who now moves to MLB with the loss of the aging Mike Peterson. The secondary, lead by shutdown corner Rashean Mathis and Free Safety Reggie Nelson, have upside. Overall, it is hard to imagine the Jaguars finishing any worse than last season, yet it won't be enough to make the playoffs in this tough division and conference.

4. Houston Texans (8-8)

Lastly, the Houston Texans. Although featuring two of the NFL's elite players on each side of the football in big time receiver Andre Johnson and freak defensive end Mario Williams, the team lacks consistency and stability to improve upon last season. Matt Shaub, who when healthy can absolutely light up a score board with weapons like Daniels and Walter, has struggled with injuries and rendered the Texans pass offense as ineffective at times, especially when Dan Orlovsky or Rex Grossman will have to come in. Steve Slaton was one of the three rookies to break out last season, rushing for over 1200 yards and 9 TDs. He will have to carry more of the load if Shaub goes down. On the defensive side of the football, DeMeco Ryans leads a Texans D that was subpar last season, ranking 22nd in the league in total yards per game. Mario Williams and Antonio Smith combine to make a wonderful combo off the ends, yet the tackles aren't apt at plugging up the hole, further disappointing Texan fans in regard to the young Amobi Okoye, who didn't show improvement after his stellar rookie year. Remember, he is still 22, and still possesses tremendous upside. Their secondary is what really hurt them last year, and it is hard to see any improvement there this season. In the NFC, this would be a solid team, but taking into account the division and conference, it is hard to imagine the Texans in the playoffs.