NFL Mid-Season Predictions: AFC South

AFC South

AP Photo/Aaron M. Sprecher

X-Colts 11-5: Looking at where Indy is ranked in total offense (12th) and defense (20th) you might be surprised they sit at the top of the AFC South. This is mainly because of the improvement (quarterback rating of 91.3, 60.7 % completion percentage, and only three interceptions) in Andrew Luck’s game from last year and the carnage Robert Mathis is unleashing on defense (11.5 sacks), that is where the Colts stand at the halfway mark. Indy has faced three NFL powerhouses (49ers Seahawks, and Broncos), and have taken down each one of them with a different strategy. That in itself speaks volumes on how tough and well coached this team really is.

For the rest of the season the Colts only face two teams (Bengals and Chiefs) with a record over .500. With their schedule not so bumpy they should make the playoffs with ease. However, they still have to play five division games which aren’t always as easy as you think. Also with Reggie Wayne out for the rest of the season, T.Y. Hilton, Darrius Heyward-Bey, and the rest of Indy’s receivers have to step up their game. I do see some problems arising with Wayne out. However, with Luck leading the way on offense and Mathis on defense this team still should have no problem winning their first division title in only the second year of A.M. (After Manning),which is a tremendous accomplishment after seeing how fast they collapsed without Manning in 2011.

Titans: 8-8: Despite the fact that the Titans sit 3-4 at the halfway point of the season this team is improving. Jake Locker is having his best season to date (first season with a completion percentage over 60 percent, 97.1 quarterback rating, and has thrown only one interception) and is finally putting up a valid case that he belongs as the starter. Although, Locker was injured in two key games (Chiefs and Seahawks) that the Titans lost, which might have changed the outlook on their season if he had played, but we will never know. Also give some credit to the defense their playing great against the pass (ranked seventh against the pass and have only allowed six touchdowns), yet they still need to improve against the run (ranked 24th and yielding 117.1 yards a game).

The main problem I see for Tennessee is Locker only has one reliable receiver in Kendall Wright and their star running back Chris Johnson is playing very inadequate (averaging only 3.2 yards a carry and zero rushing touchdowns) , there shouldn’t be any more excuses for Johnson, especially after the team addressed the issues on the offensive line in the off-season.. Even though the line isn’t playing as well as some expected they still are doing enough (ranked 13th offensive line in the league) for him to produce. Because of these issues at running back and wide receiver I see the Titans falling just short of their making the playoffs this season.

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Texans 5-11: The stars looked to be aligning perfect before the season. They drafted DeAndre Hopkins to relive some pressure off star receiver Andre Johnson, got tenacious linebacker Brain Cushing back from injury, and even signed future hall of famer safety Ed Reed. Instead the sky came crashing down to earth, as quarterback Matt Schaub started throwing touchdowns for both the Texans and their opponents, and then Schaub succumbed to an injury that had Texans fans cheering.

Even though the Texans sit 2-5 they still have a running game (127.7 yards a game) but it is having issues scoring (only two touchdowns). They also have the number one ranked defense led by J.J. Watt, although they do give up a lot of points (27.7). Let’s face ithings don’t look like they’re getting any better  after head coach Gary Kubiak announced Case Keenum as the starter, even though “Mr. Pix Sick” is healthy again.

Also linebacker Brian Cushing is out for the season once again which makes you wonder if his no hold barred style is too much for his body to withstand. The way Houston approaches the off-season will be interesting after how fast they have falling from grace. I mean think about it there is plenty of talent to succeed with this team if they find the right quarterback. Lastly, what happens with Gary Kubiak’s future might come down to how the undrafted rookie plays, as it was his decision to give up on Schaub and not  even try to make a comeback push for the playoffs.

Jaguars 1-15: It’s now clear as day that Blaine Gabbert is never  going to be the franchise quarterback On top of that this team has more holes than Swiss cheese as it ranks at the bottom in total offense (32nd) and defense (28th).  We all know they have no chance at the playoffs. So the biggest question the Jags have is will they somehow miraculously win a few a games and ruin their chance at the pick first in the 2014 draft just like they did last season. Or will they have first dibs in a draft that looks like it will have a few promising signal callers.