AFC South Preview: All Four Teams at Crossroads

Last year, the AFC South was arguably the toughest division in the NFL. This year, all four teams in the division face a crossroads.

After making the playoffs last season, the Indianapolis Colts and the Tennessee Titans are each trying to stay among the top teams in the league even as both teams endured big losses from last year’s personnel.

Meanwhile, both the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are at the crossroads in their history, with the Texans trying to break out and become a playoff team, while the Jaguars will try to prevent from sliding from playoff contender to division bottom feeder.

Tennessee Titans

While Tennessee is the defending division champ, this has been a rough offseason for the Titans.

Losing All-Pro defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth to Washington amid a controversial way by the Redskins, then Vince Young’s media gaffe asking for his starting job back, and the emotionally crushing news of the tragic death of the franchise’s former star player, Steve McNair.

The Titans may struggle the first few games of the season, but if their running game led by Chris Johnson and LenDale White can be productive, Tennessee can still be a productive offensive team.

The biggest question will be can quarterback Kerry Collins continue to be the experienced signal-caller for the Titans, or can Young revert back to his days at Texas and become a dangerous playmaker.

The defense should stay strong with the Titans adding defensive lineman Jovan Haye from Tampa Bay and have a strong corps of linebackers and defensive backs, led by Keith Bulluck.

If Kyle Vanden Bosch—who was limited to only five sacks last year because of a groin injury—can return to being a beast on the line like he was a couple of years ago, Tennessee’s defense should not skip a beat.

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts offense should not skip a beat, even though Peyton Manning’s favorite target, Marvin Harrison, was released in the spring. But Peyton has his new favorite receiver, Reggie Wayne, plus reliable receivers in Anthony Gonzalez and tight end Dallas Clark.

The running game was a bit off last year, but with Joseph Addai and first-round pick Donald Brown in the backfield, Indy’s offense should still be its normal, high-powered self.

Don’t expect the defense to slow down either. With one of the NFL’s best pass rushers in Dwight Freeney on the defensive line, Indy is not afraid to blitz and send a lot of defenders at the quarterback.

Bob Sanders leads an active secondary that is good, but not always consistent.

The real changes for the Colts will be the coaching staff, led by new head coach Jim Caldwell. He may not change a whole lot since this team was still good enough to make the playoffs last year and still is a strong contender for a division championship.

Houston Texans

After two straight years with an 8-8 record, Houston is the chic pick to be the surprise playoff team.

With Andre Johnson establishing himself as one of the top receivers in the league last season and Steve Slaton helping them finally establish a dangerous running attack, the Texans could have an offense that is hard to slow down.

It seems like the only thing that could put the breaks on them could be if quarterback Matt Schaub gets injured again like he did for a part of last season.

Houston also has a couple of defensive playmakers in lineman Mario Williams and linebacker Demeco Ryans, and they make the Texans tough in the trenches, especially against the run.

The secondary will be better with Dunta Robinson back, but will his contract dispute with the team be a distraction?

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville went through a frustrating season last year, with bad losses causing some drama in the locker room and the front office. So, the Jaguars look like they are in a rebuilding mode after releasing veterans like Fred Taylor, Paul Spicer and Mike Peterson.

Maurice Jones-Drew will now be the No.1 option in the running game, while David Garrard will have to work with a new offensive line, led by free-agent pickup Tra Thomas.

Other than returning lineman John Henderson, who else will step up for Jacksonville defensively?

With most of their leaders gone, some of the younger talent on the unit will have to have to gel quickly if the Jags want to get back into the playoffs.

Predictions

1. Indianapolis (12-4)

2. Tennessee (11-5)

3. Houston (10-6)

4. Jacksonville (6-10)