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Team That Could Surprise: Houston Texans
When is the playoff appearance going to arrive?
The most recent wave of expansion brethren (Carolina, Jacksonville, and Cleveland) have all made at least one playoff appearance, with Jacksonville and Carolina making multiple, and Carolina making a trip to the Super Bowl. Even the relocated teams, (Baltimore, Tennessee, St. Louis) have done the same.
The Texans have gone 8-8 in each of the past two seasons, finishing 2008 strong with a 5-1 record down the stretch, somehow losing a game to the Raiders.
They lost four games by a touchdown or less, and that proved to be the difference between a 12-4 record and their 8-8 record. Winning those close games in 2009, and the easiest schedule of any of the AFC South teams could propel Houston towards the playoff appearance they’ve been missing.
Best Coach: Jeff Fisher, Tennessee
The more things change in the NFL, the more they stay the same in Tennessee. After a two-season hiccup, the Titans have reinvented themselves into a formidable force in the AFC.
The reason: Jeff Fisher.
Most owners would have left their coaches for dead in the unemployment line after two straight losing seasons, but Bud Adams gave Fisher the time to rebuild the team.
The Titans have improved in each of the last three seasons despite turnover in personnel. Jeff Fisher is one of a handful of NFL coaches who can get the absolute maximum out of each player. He stands out over his peers within the AFC South.
Coach on the Hot Seat: Jack Del Rio, Jacksonville
Former Jaguars coach Tom Coughlin had built a lot of coaching equity with the Jacksonville fans simply by winning right from the start. That all faded with three consecutive losing seasons, and he was dumped as head coach.
Fast forward six years, and Del Rio is running out of his coaching equity as well.
2008 saw the first losing season in Jacksonville since Del Rio’s first year, and last season was uglier than 2003. Malcontent players, numerous injuries, and a destroyed discipline plagued the Jaguars all season.
Jacksonville has been inconsistent under Jack Del Rio, having one great season with a playoff appearance, followed by a disappointing one, and the cycle tends to repeat itself. Last season was a disappointing one, and the temperature under Del Rio's seat got a little bit warmer once the 5-11 train wreck ended.
Best Player: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis
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