AFC South Preview

With the regular season almost upon us, it's time to take a look at each of the NFL's divisions. And in part one of eight, what better place to start than with the division that is home to the defending Super Bowl champs - the AFC South.

The Indianapolis Colts were the class of this division for years before they finally won the championship last season, and now they have only reinforced that positioning. Barring some crucial injuries to the champs, the remaining teams in the AFC south will be fighting for a wild card spot in the AFC (which will prove very difficult).

Indianapolis Colts
Despite suffering a number of personnel losses during the offseason, the Colts will face little resistence in winning their fifth consecutive division title. If the AFC South were a deeper division the Colts might have have a tougher time of it though. They lost Mike Doss (S), Nick Harper (CB), and Cato June (LB) to free agency, and Tarik Glenn (LT) to retirement; all of which could have impacts on this year's team. The defense is still a weak unit that could ill-afford to lose quality veteran players, and Tarik Glenn has been a big reason Peyton Manning has stayed so unscathed during his illustrious career. And Manning, of course, is the reason this team should cruise to another post season birth. He simply is that good, and even with a poor defense, he runs an efficient enough offense that it won't matter until; until January.
Prediction: 11-5

Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags are perhaps the NFL's biggest enigma. They have one of the most stingiest defenses in the league, and it's very underrated. They have a solid running game with explosive ability out of Maurice Jones Drew, and they have spent numerous high round draft picks on wide receivers over the past few years. However, just like Manning is what makes the Colts go, the QB position seems to be what is holding the Jaguars back. Byron Leftwich and and David Garrard were both unspectacular las season, and it appears that they are getting one more chance this season. Garrard, taking over for an injured Leftwich last year, basically did everything possible to not take over the starting job permanently. Leftwich continues to show flashes, but too often those flashes are interrupted by injury or poor decision. Never the less, that defense and running game should propel the Jags to a solid season and possible playoff birth.
Prediction: 9-7

Tennessee Titans
Last year, the Titans did their best 2005 Pittsburgh Steelers impression, by winning six of their last seven after starting o-5. And like the two teams above them, their successes and/or failures were largely a result of the quarterback. In this case, Vince Young took over the starting job for good in week four and went on to play his way to a Rookie of the Year award. This year, there is plenty of optimism surrounding the Titans. And yes, Vince Young looks to have a bright future, but there are still plenty of weaknesses on this team. Last year's defense was ranked 32nd; just above U.S.C., and they still have very few weapons at wide receiver and running back to help out Young. This year, Young will provide plenty of thrills for sure, but the Titans are still a ways away from challenging the top teams in the AFC.
Prediction: 7-9

Houston Texans
The Matt Schaub era is about to begin in Houston. And for some reason, people around the league find this a reason to feel optimistic. Matt Schaub is a young QB who has shown to be pretty solid, but let's get this straight: he has six career TDs vs. six INTs for a QB rating of 69.2. That's not a whole lot to write home about, even considering his lack of playing opportunity in Atlanta. The Texans' defense is showing signs of improvement, with Mario Williams coming into his own (even though he'll probably never be able to live up to the billing as "the guy picked instead of Reggie Bush") and the emergence of Defensive Rookie of the Year, DeMeco Ryans. However, the Texans can bring in all of the skill position players that they want, but if they don't fortify that offensive line, no QB will have a chance. Schaub better have his running on this season, because he's behind a line that had departed David Carr on his butt more often than the Abraham Lincoln memorial.
Prediction: 6-10