(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

The AFC South is quickly becoming one of the tougher divisions in the NFL. Each of the four teams has a legitimate shot at making a serious run towards a playoff berth, with the usual suspects leading the way. 2009 could see all four teams in the AFC South finish above .500 and still have two teams knocked out of the playoffs.

Here is my take on the 2009 AFC South:

AFC South Champion: Tennessee Titans

This season, the road to the AFC South again runs through Nashville. However, it is not without speed bumps, as four of their first six games are on the road, including the opener against the defending champion Pittsburgh Steelers. The Titans were 6-2 on the road last season, and will need a similar result in 2009 if they are going to equal their league best 13-3 record from a year ago. 

The Titans possess the best stable of running backs in the division to go along with veteran play from Kerry Collins. Their defense gets back 10 starters, but they must replace Albert Haynesworth. 

AFC South Wild Card: Indianapolis Colts

Even with the retirement of Coach Tony Dungy, the Colts still possess enough talent to win 11-13 games.  That will either win the division outright or ensure them a wild-card spot.

Coach Jim Caldwell is a Dungy disciple, and has been with the Colts for eight seasons. The Colts offensive machine will continue to crank out wins, ensuring them of their ninth playoff spot in this decade (2000, 2002-2008).

The Titans and Colts have combined to win all of the seven AFC South Division Championships since the realignment in 2002. Plus, If one of them doesn't win the division, they usually still make the playoffs. 

Tennessee and Indianapolis have combined to capture four of the six AFC South wild card appearances since, with Jacksonville taking the other two. This season will prove to be no different.

Dark Horse Playoff Contender: Jacksonville Jaguars

Sure, the Jaguars were 5-11 in 2008, but then again so were the Oakland Raiders. Put the two teams side by side and which one would you take?

Even after dealing with a team tragedy before the season started, the Jaguars were a .500 team entering their bye week. They then promptly went 2-8 down the stretch to equal the worst season record under the leadership of head coach Jack Del Rio.

Keeping this team healthy will be a huge key to a playoff run in the 2009 season, as many of the Jaguars starters populated the injured reserve list last season. The Jaguars cut out the dead wood from the roster that plagued them in 2008, and Jacksonville will be back in the playoff hunt this year.

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