AFC South Preview

Last Year’s Predictions
Indianapolis Colts 14-2
Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
Tennessee Titans 9-7
Houston Texans 8-8

What Actually Happened
Indianapolis Colts 14-2
Jacksonville Jaguars 12-4
Tennessee Titans 4-12
Houston Texans 2-14

Even though the Colts lost Edgerrin James and Mike Vanderjagt they should still be the cream of the crop in the AFC South. However Jacksonville will push them as the gap is beginning to close between those two teams.


Houston Texans – Projected Finish 4-12 (4th)
Big Question Mark: Offensive Line

The Texans are shuffling their line around trying to find the right combination that will finally give David Carr the type of protection that most NFL quarterbacks enjoy. There is no question that the success of the Texans offense rests on the shoulders of the o-line. Look for rookies Charles Spencer and Eric Winston to compete for an immediate starting position at tackle.

Key Losses:
WR Corey Bradford
WR Jabar Gaffney

Key Additions:
LB Sam Cowart
C Mike Flanagan
WR Eric Moulds
DE Anthony Weaver


Indianapolis Colts – Projected Finish 12-4 (1st)
Big Question Mark: Running Back

With Edgerrin James gone to Phoenix Dominic Rhodes now becomes the Colts workhorse. He still has the advantage of having the NFL’s best quarterback handing the ball to him and that alone could make an average running back great. Was that the case for James? We will soon find out. But is Rhodes the same class of running back that James was? We will find that out soon as well.

Key Losses:
RB Ed James
DT Larry Tripplett
K Mike Vanderjagt
WR Troy Walters

Key Additions:
K Adam Vinatieri


Jacksonville Jaguars – Projected Finish 11-5 (2nd)
Big Question Mark: Offensive Line

Let me preface this by saying that the Jaguars are a very solid football team. Now, that said they struggled from the left side of their offensive line last season and with injuries. For them to finally overtake the Colts and win the division they will have to fix their problems to the left and stay healthy, if that happens lookout for the Jags in 06.

Key Losses
S Deke Cooper
WR Jimmy Smith
CB Kenny Wright

Key Additions
CB Brian Williams
T Mike Williams


Tennessee Titans – Projected Finish 5-11 (3rd)
Big Question Mark: Quarterback

The Titans made a huge investment in their future with Vince Young but sacrificed their present by dealing Steve McNair. Even with quarterback guru Norm Chow running the offense for the Titans Young could have used a season with his mentor Steve McNair.

The big winners in this situation are Billy Volek and Matt Mauck who will start the season one and two on the depth chart while Young develops.

Key Losses:
QB Steve McNair
S Tank Williams
C Justin Hartwig

Key Additions:
S Chris Hope
C Kevin Mawae
LB David Thornton
WR David Givins
AFC South Predictions
Indianapolis Colts 12-4
Jacksonville Jaguars 11-5
Tennessee Titans 5-11
Houston Texans 4-12

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