Last season the AFC South was split between the "haves" and the "have nots" as the Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts battled it out for the top spot in the division, and the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars lingered toward the bottom. Will 2013 be any different?
One common denominator between success and failure in this polarizing division is the play at the quarterback position. It's not just coincidence that the top two teams have quarterbacks with bright futures--Matt Schaub and first-overall pick Andrew Luck. The QB play in Jacksonville and Tennessee has been anything but dependable as Jake Locker struggled in his second season and Blaine Gabbert has left a lot to be desired in his two years as the starter for the Jaguars. However, both the Titans and Jaguars got a little smart this offseason and brought in some veteran QBs to push the young gun slingers for playing time. We'll see if this makes the difference.
After an offseason of roster turnover, free agency, and the NFL draft, let's take a look at how each team from the AFC South may do in the 2013 season. (Mind you, season predictions are complete speculation at this point based on personnel moves and player development thus far in camp.)
1) Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
It will be a close call between the Colts and the Texans for the division title again this year. However, the Colts have made some nice additions this offseason to their team to address some weakness on their roster. It looks like Indianapolis tried to surround their young quarterback with more offensive weapons this offseason. They signed wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to complement Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton in the passing game, and added running back Ahmad Bradshaw to help improve their 22nd ranked rushing offense. Bradshaw will be a nice addition to second-year back Vick Ballard if he can stay healthy. The Colts also bolstered their offensive line who gave up 41 sacks last year. They brought in veteran linemen Donald Thomas and Goster Cherilus and drafted guard Hugh Thornton.
The Colts did lose outside linebackers Dwight Freeney and Jerry Hughes in the offseason, but they drafted the athletic pass rusher Bjoern Werner in the first round and signed veteran linebacker Erik Walden in free agency. The Colts defense was abysmal last season, ranking 26th overall and 29th in rushing defense, but they added stout nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and the young defensive end Ricky Jean Francois who are both run stoppers.
Overall, the Colts defense should improve and the Andrew Luck should take his game to the next level and elevate entire team. Plus, the Colts have a slightly easier schedule this season than the Texans, so that should help their cause in capturing the division title.
2) Houston Texans (10-6)
The Texans have a tough schedule this season, having to face the Ravens, 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Patriots--all top ten teams in the league. The Texans also lost some key defensive players in safety Glover Quin and linebackers Connor Barwin and Bradie James in the offseason. To add to this, Arian Foster has been dealing with a succession of injuries so far in camp and first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins has missed some time because of concussions.
Granted, the Texans still have a lot of talent and will still contend for a playoff spot this year, but I'm just not so sure the road to a playoff berth will come so easily for them this season. If Foster can stay healthy, he's one of the top offensive players in the league, and Matt Schaub is a dependable quarterback. Plus, Houston seems to like the tandem of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Not to mention Houston's defense is anchored by arguably one of the best defensive players in the league in J.J. Watt, and they will have stud linebacker Brian Cushing returning fully healthy this season.
However, I believe the Texan's secondary has taken a step back this season and this will really hurt them when they face the likes of Brady, Flacco, Manning, and Kaepernick. They drafted hard-hitting D.J. Swearinger and signed veteran playmaker Ed Reed to fill the void at safety Quin left behind. But can Reed stay healthy to make an impact this season, and does Swearinger possess the smarts and discipline to not be a liability in coverage? I don't think they did enough in the offseason to get over the hump and be an effective team come January.
3) Tennessee Titans (7-9)
The Titans were the 21st ranked rushing offense in the NFL last year, and that comes as a surprise considering they have speedy back Chris Johnson in the backfield. Johnson is still one of the top backs in the league, but the offensive line really struggled to open things up in the running game last season. Plus, the Titans lacked depth at running back and needed someone to spell Johnson from time to time.
The fix these issues and reinvigorate their running game, the Titans signed bruising back Shonn Greene, brought in veteran linemen Andy Levitre and Rob Turner in free agency, and drafted top guard prospect Chance Warmack in the first round. The Titans also added Delanie Walker--the best run blocking tight end on the free agent market. It seems the Titans goal is clear. Improve their running game in 2013. This will help relieve some of the pressure from third-year quarterback Jake Locker, and make the Titans a much tougher team to beat than last year.
Tennessee also signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and safety Bernard Pollard to bring some veteran presence to the roster. The Titans have added depth this offseason, but they still need better play under center in order to win games. Locker's inconsistent performance on the field this season will cause them to be sub-500 team, at best.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
The Jaguars have a long road ahead of them coming from a 2-14 performance last year and still trusting third-year man Blaine Gabbert can get it down at quarterback. The Jaguars were faced with some tough luck last season when their star player Maurice Jones-Drew missed a majority of the season with injuries. However, there's no guarantee MJD will return to his old self this season. The Jaguars will need more offensive production from the other players on the roster in order to win some games. They have a good group of young talented receivers with Cecil Shorts III and Justin Blackmon leading the way, and they like how dynamic and versatile rookie "offensive weapon" Denard Robinson can be. However, if Gabbert continues to disappoint, don't be surprised if Coach Gus Bradley pulls him and puts in veteran Chad Henne. Henne may give them the best chance to win, at this point.
The Jaguars woes don't end on the offensive side of the ball. They finished last season 30th in total defense. They drafted athletic safety Jonathan Cyprien at the top of the second round, but don't expect the rookie defensive back to be their saving grace. They lack solid pass rushers that can get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Jason Babin has been a disappointment at defensive end since being signed from the Eagles, and there aren't any other clear pass rushing threats on the roster.
The Jaguars just have too many holes on their team to win more than four games this season, but at least the young team will take a step in the right direction and improve from the two wins of the previous season.
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One common denominator between success and failure in this polarizing division is the play at the quarterback position. It's not just coincidence that the top two teams have quarterbacks with bright futures--Matt Schaub and first-overall pick Andrew Luck. The QB play in Jacksonville and Tennessee has been anything but dependable as Jake Locker struggled in his second season and Blaine Gabbert has left a lot to be desired in his two years as the starter for the Jaguars. However, both the Titans and Jaguars got a little smart this offseason and brought in some veteran QBs to push the young gun slingers for playing time. We'll see if this makes the difference.
After an offseason of roster turnover, free agency, and the NFL draft, let's take a look at how each team from the AFC South may do in the 2013 season. (Mind you, season predictions are complete speculation at this point based on personnel moves and player development thus far in camp.)
1) Indianapolis Colts (11-5)
It will be a close call between the Colts and the Texans for the division title again this year. However, the Colts have made some nice additions this offseason to their team to address some weakness on their roster. It looks like Indianapolis tried to surround their young quarterback with more offensive weapons this offseason. They signed wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey to complement Reggie Wayne and T.Y. Hilton in the passing game, and added running back Ahmad Bradshaw to help improve their 22nd ranked rushing offense. Bradshaw will be a nice addition to second-year back Vick Ballard if he can stay healthy. The Colts also bolstered their offensive line who gave up 41 sacks last year. They brought in veteran linemen Donald Thomas and Goster Cherilus and drafted guard Hugh Thornton.
The Colts did lose outside linebackers Dwight Freeney and Jerry Hughes in the offseason, but they drafted the athletic pass rusher Bjoern Werner in the first round and signed veteran linebacker Erik Walden in free agency. The Colts defense was abysmal last season, ranking 26th overall and 29th in rushing defense, but they added stout nose tackle Aubrayo Franklin and the young defensive end Ricky Jean Francois who are both run stoppers.
Overall, the Colts defense should improve and the Andrew Luck should take his game to the next level and elevate entire team. Plus, the Colts have a slightly easier schedule this season than the Texans, so that should help their cause in capturing the division title.
2) Houston Texans (10-6)
The Texans have a tough schedule this season, having to face the Ravens, 49ers, Seahawks, Broncos, and Patriots--all top ten teams in the league. The Texans also lost some key defensive players in safety Glover Quin and linebackers Connor Barwin and Bradie James in the offseason. To add to this, Arian Foster has been dealing with a succession of injuries so far in camp and first-round pick DeAndre Hopkins has missed some time because of concussions.
Granted, the Texans still have a lot of talent and will still contend for a playoff spot this year, but I'm just not so sure the road to a playoff berth will come so easily for them this season. If Foster can stay healthy, he's one of the top offensive players in the league, and Matt Schaub is a dependable quarterback. Plus, Houston seems to like the tandem of Andre Johnson and DeAndre Hopkins. Not to mention Houston's defense is anchored by arguably one of the best defensive players in the league in J.J. Watt, and they will have stud linebacker Brian Cushing returning fully healthy this season.
However, I believe the Texan's secondary has taken a step back this season and this will really hurt them when they face the likes of Brady, Flacco, Manning, and Kaepernick. They drafted hard-hitting D.J. Swearinger and signed veteran playmaker Ed Reed to fill the void at safety Quin left behind. But can Reed stay healthy to make an impact this season, and does Swearinger possess the smarts and discipline to not be a liability in coverage? I don't think they did enough in the offseason to get over the hump and be an effective team come January.
3) Tennessee Titans (7-9)
The Titans were the 21st ranked rushing offense in the NFL last year, and that comes as a surprise considering they have speedy back Chris Johnson in the backfield. Johnson is still one of the top backs in the league, but the offensive line really struggled to open things up in the running game last season. Plus, the Titans lacked depth at running back and needed someone to spell Johnson from time to time.
The fix these issues and reinvigorate their running game, the Titans signed bruising back Shonn Greene, brought in veteran linemen Andy Levitre and Rob Turner in free agency, and drafted top guard prospect Chance Warmack in the first round. The Titans also added Delanie Walker--the best run blocking tight end on the free agent market. It seems the Titans goal is clear. Improve their running game in 2013. This will help relieve some of the pressure from third-year quarterback Jake Locker, and make the Titans a much tougher team to beat than last year.
Tennessee also signed QB Ryan Fitzpatrick and safety Bernard Pollard to bring some veteran presence to the roster. The Titans have added depth this offseason, but they still need better play under center in order to win games. Locker's inconsistent performance on the field this season will cause them to be sub-500 team, at best.
4) Jacksonville Jaguars (4-12)
The Jaguars have a long road ahead of them coming from a 2-14 performance last year and still trusting third-year man Blaine Gabbert can get it down at quarterback. The Jaguars were faced with some tough luck last season when their star player Maurice Jones-Drew missed a majority of the season with injuries. However, there's no guarantee MJD will return to his old self this season. The Jaguars will need more offensive production from the other players on the roster in order to win some games. They have a good group of young talented receivers with Cecil Shorts III and Justin Blackmon leading the way, and they like how dynamic and versatile rookie "offensive weapon" Denard Robinson can be. However, if Gabbert continues to disappoint, don't be surprised if Coach Gus Bradley pulls him and puts in veteran Chad Henne. Henne may give them the best chance to win, at this point.
The Jaguars woes don't end on the offensive side of the ball. They finished last season 30th in total defense. They drafted athletic safety Jonathan Cyprien at the top of the second round, but don't expect the rookie defensive back to be their saving grace. They lack solid pass rushers that can get consistent pressure on the quarterback. Jason Babin has been a disappointment at defensive end since being signed from the Eagles, and there aren't any other clear pass rushing threats on the roster.
The Jaguars just have too many holes on their team to win more than four games this season, but at least the young team will take a step in the right direction and improve from the two wins of the previous season.
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