NFL '09-'10 Previews: AFC South Title Race is Wide Open

The AFC South appears ready to once again become the league's best division.

While usual-superstar Peyton Manning tries to exploit defenses with his deadly connection to Reggie Wayne, Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson appear to have a little trick going themselves. All the while, the powerful RB duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White anchor the defending AFC top seed winners.

With teams like Indianapolis, Houston, and Tennessee all together, the division title race seems like it could be a nail-biter all season long!

Indianapolis Colts

Offensive Overview

Peyton Manning is once again one of the league's best QBs, and despite the loss of Marvin Harrison, he still has several good WR targets to pass to.

Reggie Wayne is an excellent top-10 wideout and has been impressive so far in the preseason, too. Besides him, young budding star Anthony Gonzalez anchors the other side.

The running game is up for grabs, though. Aging RB Joseph Addai looks like he might struggle unless rookie Donald Brown from UConn can step in a carry 40 percent or more of the load.

Defensive/Special Teams Overview

There isn't much to really talk about in the Indianapolis defense. The end position is the best in the NFL, but the other units are simply a little above average.

On special teams, kicker Adam Vinatieri looks to rebound from a mediocre year last year to another top-five appearance.

Best Case

Manning and Wayne form a great connection and both finish in the top three, and Joseph Addai finds at least one more year left in him to give the Colts a first-round bye.

Worst Case

The unbalanced running game falters and Anthony Gonzalez ends up way over-hyped, plus Vinatieri slips even farther down the kicker rankings.

Indianapolis finishes third in the division and out of the playoffs.

Key Game: October 11 @ Tennessee

Tennessee Titans

Offensive Overview

Kerry Collins will decide the 2009/10 success potential for the Tennessee Titans. Collins seems ageless, but you never know when he could slip. Also, he has simply a mediocre group of wide receivers to target.

Justin Gage, free agent pickup Nate Washington, and rookie Kenny Britt appear poised to be the starters for the Titans, but none of them are above average for their slot. On the other hand, though, TE Bo Scaife is among the best pass-catching tight ends in the league.

However, it's the running game that anchors this team. Chris Johnson, a young superstar out of ECU, looked great last year and should be a top-10 back once again. Behind him is LenDale White, who should get at least 35% of the carries to keep Johnson fresh, and he can also be used a very solid goal line back.

Defensive/Special Teams Overview

The defense is also another staple of the Titans, and could be one of the top in the country if they perform to their full potential.

Kicker Rob Bironas has excellent distance and is a good shot of being the best in the league.

Best Case

Nate Washington turns out to be a brilliant signing, and Kerry Collins finds another year to deliver the football consistently. Plus, the defense is a top-three squad and the Titans claim a first round bye once again.

Worst Case

The receivers underperform and Collins begins his decline, plus an injury to White or Johnson depletes the duo combination. The Titans still finish at .500 but fall out of the playoff picture.

Key Game: September 10 @ Pittsburgh

Houston Texans

Offensive Overview

The Texans were once a consistent occupant of the bottom of the standings, but they now appear on the rise. A lot of that success can be credited to young superstars Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton.

Quarterback Matt Schaub looked good last year, and it's hard not to with Andre Johnson there. Kevin Walter is also a safe bet as a No. 2 WR.

The passing game opens up holes for the running game, and speedy Steve Slaton uses that to his great advantage. Slaton could easily be a top ten RB this season, despite being a rookie last year.

Defensive/Special Teams Overview

This could be a question mark for Houston this season, and maybe their breaking point. The line has its share of playmakers but the linebackers could really use an improvement.

Kris Brown is a risky target to pick this for but he also has the possibility of emerging as a top-five placekicker.

Best Case

Andre Johnson improves even from last year, and Kevin Walter looks great, too. Steve Slaton takes advantage of the passing completions and Houston has one of the best offenses in the league.

Worst Case

Matt Schuab isn't quite the sleeper he is projected to be, and Andre Johnson falls out of the top five. Steve Slaton suffers the sophomore slump, the defense is in the bottom ten, and Houston gets driven out of contention by their tough divisional rivals.

Key Game: November 29 vs. Indianapolis

All in all, the AFC South title race is completely wide open for everyone. Even Jacksonville could state their case if Maurice Jones-Drew performs like expected and David Garrard has a breakout year by keeping Torry Holt stable for at least one more season.

So, which team do you think will take home the prize? Anyone could claim it, but there's only one first place! Here's my opinion...

No. 1. Tennessee Titans...12-4

No. 2. Indianapolis Colts....11-5

No. 3. Houston Texans....10-6

No. 4. Jacksonville Jaguars....7-9