2007 AFC South: It's All About the Defense

Today I'm breaking down the AFC South and will have one more division until I begin the NFC.

As always here are my projections,

1. Indianapolis Colts 12-4
2. Tennessee Titans 9-7
3. Jacksonville Jaguars 8-8
4. Houston Texans 5-11

Now for reasoning of positioning and breakdowns of each team in the AFC South.

Indianapolis Colts, Super Bowl champs last season that also beat my Pats but, they won and there is nothing I can do about. Anyway, besides the draft (where they gained good players) I think they lost some pretty decent ones. They cut Brandon Stokley who they don't need anyway but they also lost Nick Harper, Cato June and Dominic Rhodes. Rhodes may not have been such a big need since the uprising of Joseph Addai but I though a trade could have been in-store for him. I think they will stay at 12-4 for a reason and that reason is their schedule. If you look at it they are playing some tough playoff contenders such a, the Patriots, Chargers, Ravens, Saints and the Broncos. They are other teams too that they are playing who may or may not be much of a concern. They really are a good team and I think their season is in store for some surprises.

Tennessee Titans, right now not a first place contender in their division but are working on it. First, I'm not going into the Pacman Jones incident because I'm writing about the AFC South and their teams not the players. They had a decent off-season, losing players Chris Brown and Drew Bennett. But, they also acquired players such as Nick Harper and Justin Gage and drafted players Chris Henry and Michael Griffin. They are working towards a difficult 10+ win season with the schedule they have. Playing two of their first three games against the New Orleans Saints and the Indianapolis Colts. They catch a break for the next couple of games but, the end of the season will be tough and only durability, will, and stamina will tell us if the Titans can last that long. Lets, just say weeks 11, 12 and 14-17 will be very tough.

Jacksonville Jaguars, this team could not win on the road last season (2-6) and they will need to learn how if they want to be successful this season. The team had no trouble in the off-season only losing TE Kyle Brady but, re-signing Fred Taylor and Josh Scobee. They also had a decent draft too. Looking at the schedule they most likely will stay at 8-8. They have a schedule that has its ups and downs. They will start their first three games either 1-2 or 0-3. From then on the schedule has a 2 or three 3 games next to each other that they will win easily. Besides that the team has a good defense that mostly will carry them in games where they need it most.

Houston Texans, being the new team you have to give them their time to live up to great heights. They cut Eric Mould, David Carr, and Domanick Williams and signed Ahman Green. I think they did a decent job in the off-season but they better hope their early picks don't end up fluking the first season like Mario Williams. As, I said earlier they need their time and another 6-win season can be a good outcome for them. Too bad that might not happen. Right now looking at the schedule they look like a 5 win team but, it could change if them come out guns blazing and be a tough contender for those big teams. Just give them time is all I can really say.