2007 NFL Predictions - AFC South
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by JMFlyer1454
Indianapolis Colts - Super Bowl XLI Champions. Big deal. They won't repeat. You cannot forsake the defense every year and expect to win the Super Bowl every year. Don't get me wrong, they will EASILY win the AFC South (probably by at least 2 games). But when you lose Nick Harper (CB-Titans), Jason David (CB-Saints), Cato June (LB-Buccaneers), and Mike Doss (S-Vikings), among others, you're going to suffer. The Colts do not care about their defense (except for Dwight Freeney, who they broke the bank for). Their D was horrible last year before Anthony (Booger) McFarland (torn ACL, out for year) and Bob Sanders made a huge turn around in the playoffs. Besides Freeney and Sanders, the rest of the defense is young and relatively unproven. There is absolutely no way their D is better than last year. Also, the loss of Tarik Glenn is going to hurt initially. Luckily for them they addressed the LT position in the draft by selecting Tony Ugoh. But the original plan was for him to be Glenn's understudy for 2+ years. Now he is thrown into the fire from week 1 his rookie year. There will be growing pains. And Peyton "I think I'm a God" Manning will be sacked more (that brings a smile to my face). But the Colts will win their division but will not have a bye.
Prediction: 1st, AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - Persistently a 2nd tier AFC team, the Jaguars will remain there for at least another year. Their defense is very strong and dynamic plus they added a playmaking safety in Reggie Nelson. But they're offense is mediocre. Maurice Jones-Drew is electric and compliments the oft-injured Fred Taylor well. The QB situation is unsettled for the both the long- and short-term. Byron Leftwich will start the season but could end it on IR or the bench. Hey is an unrestricted free agent after this season. David Garrard is consistently inconsistent and Quinn Gray is unproven. The group of WRs is dull and drops a lot of balls, despite having 2 first round draft picks (Reggie Williams & Matt Jones) in the corp. Their most reliable target is Ernest Wilford. Yeah they need help. While strong defense will keep them in games, the weak offense will prevent them from winning more than 9 games.
Prediction - 2nd, AFC South
Houston Texans - Exit David Carr. Enter Matt Schaub (I'm guessing the Falcons regret that trade now, no?). Exit Domanick Williams (formerly Davis). Enter Ahman Green. Exit some random d-linemen. Enter Amobi Okoye. Probably a push, talent wise. But I think this team will actually be a little better than the 2006 version that finished 6-10. Possibly only by a game, maybe 2. But that is a big improvement for a team that has never been to the playoffs, let alone finished above .500 (best season: 2004, 7-9, 3rd AFC South). This team should mirror the success of that team. Schaub has performed well in training camp and the preseason games and the defense is slightly better than last year. They still have a few questions, such as the offensive line and if it knows how to pass block, and if their lackluster RBs - headlined by Green - will perform. For some reason I have confidence in this team and believe they will beat each of the other AFC South teams once (yes, even the Colts).
Prediction - 3rd, AFC South
Tennessee Titans - The Oilers, oops, I mean Titans were quite the surprise last year behind Vince Young and his legs (Yes, legs, not arm. What arm?). They will also be a surprise this year. When they are one of the worst teams in the league. I really don't see how people can believe this team can compete. People think Vince Young is the 2nd coming of, um, well I don't know. Probably because no one has ever done what people think he will do this year. There is absolutely no way they improve their 8-8 record. They will be lucky if they win more than 5 games this year. Their offensive line is average. The WR corp consists of a group of people that no one has heard of yet (Brandon Jones, Paul Williams, Courtney Roby) and veterans past their prime (Eric Moulds, David Givens). Who will be the starting tailback with Travis Henry now in Denver? Chubby and slow LenDale White or castoff Chris Brown, who decided to return only recently? VY can't be expected to do everything himself. Henry and Drew Bennett (now with the Rams) played a large role in the Titans success last year. They're gone. The defense is young but average. They can't keep the team in games when Young makes mistakes, which he will do. Probably often this year when opposing D's shut down his feet and make him throw. It could be a long year in Tennessee. Go Volunteers?
Prediction: 4th, AFC South
