NFL Preview Extravaganza Part III

Thank you very much Virginia Tech for making me look stupid on the first week of the season. Oh well, at least Notre Dame looked good. On to the AFC South:

AFC South

1. Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
Remember when we thought we saw then end of the Colts mini-dynasty last season when they started 3-4? All they did to finish out was 9 wins to end the season. They entered the playoffs as many people's AFC favorite, but were defeated by the Chargers in the first round. Despite their early playoff exit, there's no doubt that the Colts are the favorite to take back control of the South this season. As long as they have everyone's favorite TV spokesman, Peyton Manning, at QB, the Colts will be a contender. Some of the other faces on offense have changed; Marvin Harrison is gone, and his production is expected to be replaced by former first round pick Anthony Gonzalez. Although Joseph Addai is still listed at the starting RB, he will be pushed by this year's first round pick, Donald Brown. The defense still has room to improved, especially on the D-line, but they are good enough to keep them in games. If you have any doubt if they Colts are at the end of their run, just watch the first quarter of their preseason game against the Eagles. They'll be back in the playoffs.

2. Houston Texans (10-6)
Every year the Texans get a little bit better in the offseason, and every year we expect them to finally make the playoffs for the first time. So this year I'm going to say...the Texans will break out and make the playoffs for the first time. All of the talent is certainly in place. The offense is potentially explosive. Andre Johnson is easily one of the top 3 WRs in the NFL, and Kevin Walter is a nice no.2 option. Steve Slaton had an excellent rookie season at RB and should only improve this season.. The key to this team is QB Matt Schaub. He has done well when healthy, unfortunately that has not been very often. If he plays the whole season, this team will make the playoffs. The D is still a bit shaky, but has two superstars in Mario Williams and DeMeco Ryans. They're not quite ready to overtake the Colts, but they could be the team to beat in the division next season.

3. Tennessee Titans (8-8)
Last year, I though the Titans would show that their playoff run from 2007 was a fluke and they would fall back into mediocrity. Of course, they ended up going 13-3 and winning the South. Of course, this year I'm gonna say that the Titans were a fluke last year, and they'll fall back into mediocrity. The Titans are built in the same mold as the Steelers and Ravens: run first and play great defense. The problem with the Titans, and it was exposed in the playoffs last year, is they're just not as physical as the Steelers or Ravens. They'll be able to run the ball again this year with Chris Johnson and the svelte LenDale White. However, and I know I'm making a mistake for saying this, but I don't trust Kerry Collins for another season. Even though they added Kenny Britt, they still lack a go to receiver for this season. And you can't underestimate how the loss of Albert Haynesworth will affect their defense. He was their MVP last season, and they're gonna be alot easier to run on this season. So yeah, the Titans will be mediocre this season, and I won't be wrong this time.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-11)
Is there seriously a more boring team in the NFL than the Jaguars? First of all, they play in Jacksonville, and apologies for all the Jacksonvillians reading this, but how did Jacksonville get an NFL team? What is in Jacksonville, except a bridge or something? I remember when the Eagles played in the Super Bowl in Jacksonville, and everyone just seemed miserable to be there. Second of all, they have one good player, Maurice Jones-Drew. Torry Holt might help out the receivers a little bit, but he's all they've got there. David Garrard is one of those "game manager" QBs, which is a nice way of saying he's terrible. The defense is nothing special anymore. How can I tell? Sean Considine is staring for them. That right there about sums up the 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars.