2009 AFC South Preview: Who Owns This Division – Colts or Titans?

Is the AFC South the toughest division in the NFL?

Is this division the most competitive in the league?

Who will win this division in 2009 – the Indianapolis Colts or the Tennessee Titans? 

Based on talent alone, I lean towards the Colts. However, with all of the coaching changes at Indianapolis, along with the stability of Jeff Fisher with Tennessee, I do have some doubts.

Will the Titans play inspired football and dedicate this season to the late Steve McNair? 

Will McNair’s No. 9 jersey be retired?

The Titans will have a tough time duplicating last season’s successes with the loss of their best defensive player in Albert Haynesworth along with one of the toughest schedules in the NFL.

Even with the losses, Titans head coach Jeff Fisher believes that his team is built for a Super Bowl chase.

Tennessee has refueled with some new talent on offense to help 36-year old QB Kerry Collins take Tennessee to the Super Bowl.

So am I picking the Titans to repeat as AFC South champions in 2009?

No.

While this division is less predictable and its no longer the Colts to lose, a healthy Peyton Manning should be the difference.

If Peyton Manning stays healthy, he and the coaching staff will figure out ways to win games and build upon successes. I expect the Indianapolis Colts to win the AFC South once again with a healthy Peyton Manning.

The Houston Texans may develop into a surprise team in 2009.

Houston has a high-powered offense but it also has a defense that gives up a lot of rushing yards that may eventually keep them out of postseason. 

Offensively, Texans Wide receiver Andre Johnson may be the best in the NFL and RB Steve Slaton is constantly improving. The defense added eight new faces through the draft and in free-agency to help DE Mario Williams and LB DeMeco Ryans.

Will this be Jacksonville’s head coach Jack Del Rio’s final season with the Jaguars? Once upon a time, the Jacksonville Jaguars were talking Super Bowl.

Jacksonville does not have the same stifling defense that carried them for so long, and the offense will only go so far with QB David Garrard.

Jaguars coach Jack Del Rio has made some moves to help Garrard and the offense, but it still lacks playmakers

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