AFC South Preseason Predictions

Next up in our whirlwind tour of preseason predictions is the AFC South:

Houston Texans

Tim: 11-5 (2^nd AFCS)

I’ve liked Matt Schaub and the Texans for the past few years, and I think this is the year they finally crack the postseason. With a tough late season, this is Schaub’s chance to show that he can close out games in the fourth quarter. They need the defense to hunker down and be strong against the Colts’ Peyton Manning and Titans’ Chris Johnson as well.

Dan: 11-5 (2^nd AFCS)

Houston has slowly been biding its time to make a playoff run and I think this is the year they finally do it. Matt Schaub broke out and played a full year last year, hooking up numerous times with his top target, Andre Johnson. While I don’t agree with the decision to go with Arian Foster at RB over Steve Slaton, Coach Gary Kubiak has proven to be a good coach so far. Houston is going to be tested with their tough schedule which has them play Indianapolis and Tennessee twice, San Diego, Dallas, Baltimore, and the New York Jets, among others, but I think they will rise to the challenge and make the playoffs as a wild card.

Indianapolis Colts

Tim: 11-5 (1^st AFCS)

As always, Peyton Manning and the Colts’ offense will be supreme in their domination of the NFL’s defensive backs, but this year the most exciting thing about the Colts will be their own defense. With all eleven starters returning (the only team in the NFL doing so, by the way) this defensive unit will continue to diversify and confuse opponents.

Dan: 14-2 (1^st AFCS)

Take a look at Indianapolis' last few regular season records: 14-2 in 2009, 12-4 in 2008, 13-3 in 2007, 12-4 in 2006, 14-2 in 2005, 12-4 in 2004, 12-4 in 2003, and only 10-6 in 2002. Point is, they're pretty damned good. Why will they be good again this year? Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Jeff Saturday, etc. Next!

Jacksonville Jaguars

Tim: 6-10 (4^th AFCS)

Ever since their outstanding season in 2007, the Jags have been spiraling downwards. The quarterback play has gotten worse, the defense has gotten worse, the home-field advantage doesn’t exist with no fans coming out to games… Things look pretty bleak for them and the AFC South cellar door doesn’t look to be opening for them anytime soon. Maybe we’ll see the LA Jags in 2011.

Dan: 3-13 (4^th AFCS)

Many people forget that Jacksonville was actually 7-5 at one point last year. Of course, they do remember that they finished 7-9, good for 4th in the division. And now, they take another step back. Jacksonville only had one real offensive threat last year: Maurice Jones-Drew. This year, they have...only one real offensive threat. And they need him to stay healthy. David Garrard is not the team's answer at quarterback and I would be surprised if he finishes the year as the starter. The Jags will need to start rebuilding soon if they want to continue to compete in this division.

Tennessee Titans

Tim: 9-7 (3^rd AFCS)

Vince Young and Chris Johnson will make this offense extremely consistent, especially with the emergence of second-year WR Kenny Britt. What will be tested in this pass-happy division is the Titans secondary, which was torched over and over last year. Albert Haynesworth has been gone, and if the Titans can’t replace him up front, they can’t do anything to help their defensive backfield.

Dan: 10-6 (3^rd AFCS)

The Titans were only 8-8 last year but that's only half the story behind last season. Recall their record going into their bye week in week 7. Here's a hint: it began with 0 and ended with 6. Vince Young took over and went 8-2 over the final 10 games so look for them to take another step forward this year. However, the big problem is that they are in a very tough division with Indianapolis and Houston. Oh, and that one other team...

Check out the rest of our predictions:

NFC West