One Advantage the Tennessee Titans Have over Each Division Foe in 2012

The Tennessee Titans split its divisional series with each division opponent last season, including the lowly Indianapolis Colts.

Things started off with a thud when the Titans dropped the season opener at the Jacksonville Jaguars, but looked dominant in the teams' second meeting.

In Week 7 the Titans were absolutely lambasted by the Houston Texans to the tune of 41-7 and really only won the teams' second meeting because the Texans were resting several of its starters.

Back to those lowly Colts, the Titans managed to have another head-scratching performance by giving Indianapolis its first win of the season with two weeks left to play.

Despite the Titans' inability to sweep two division opponents combining for seven wins in 2011, the team still finished one game out of first for the division.

With a year of experience under the new coaching regime and a full offseason, the Titans should improve and be able to exploit some weaknesses in the AFC South Rivals.

Indianapolis Colts: Across the board

The Colts only recognizable name at receiver, after Pierre Garcon's departure, is Reggie Wayne and he is on a steep decline. The Colts finished the season ranked 27th in the passing game.

The loss of Peyton Manning for the full season proved too great for the team to overcome and, although Andrew Luck should help remedy the situation, things don't appear ready to improve significantly.

The Titans have a stronger running game, pass protection, pass defense and run defense.

How the Titans lost to the Colts so convincingly last year is still disconcerting, but they should be able to sweep the series in 2012.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Quarterback play will be deciding factor

Blaine Gabbert didn't inspire much confidence in Jaguar fans in 2011. During his rookie season, Gabbert looked like a man overwhelmed by the increased speed and skill of the NFL game.

As bad as the Colts were at passing the ball last year, the Jags were even worse, finishing dead last with an average of 136.2 yards per game.

Maurice Jones-Drew has averaged 318 carries over the last three seasons and it could be time for a decline six seasons under his belt.

The Jaguars do have what is looking like a strong candidate for a top-5 defense, but if Gabbert isn't the answer at quarterback the team could sink in today's NFL.

Houston Texans: Wide Receiver Depth

The Texans are unquestionably the more talented team overall. The Texans offense is one of the most balanced and talented teams in the league with Arian Foster and Andre Johnson leading the way.

And the Texans defense was arguably the league's best before Johnson and Matt Schaub fell to injury, forcing the defense to carry a heavier load.

However, after Johnson, Houston doesn't have a reliable receiving option. The team has finally given up on Jacoby Jones, but Kevin Walter has been just as unreliable and stands to be the team's No. 2 in the upcoming season.

With or without Kenny Britt, the Titans receiving corps is very deep and talented. Nate Washington is coming off a career year, Kendall Wright looks promising and Damian Williams proved to be a capable starter when called upon.

Conclusion

Whether the Titans are capable of sweeping the division is up for debate, but these are the most glaring weaknesses/advantages the team has over its division opponents.

The Texans remain the favorites to win the division but if Tennessee can become a team that consistently performs to its potential, the Jaguars and Colts should not be major issues.