Popular Post Bigg Talks Sports Posted August 14, 2013 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 The AFC South has traditionally been one of the NFL’s toughest divisions. Every division game always has some of the hardest hits of the season. Rather it being Eddie George rushing against a vicious Jacksonville Jaguars defense or the late Steve McNair having an all-out duel with Peyton Manning, this division has never disappointed on Sundays.Houston Texans The reigning division champion Houston Texans are coming off of the franchise’s best season to date, not to mention having now gone to the post-season in consecutive years for the first time in this young franchise’s history. I am of the mindset that their window may be closing here pretty soon if they can not start capitalizing in the playoffs. This team has seemingly everything, on paper, to win it all; great running game, good quarterback, great receiver, and a great defense, but they just can not seem to get over the hump. This year they added sure-fire first ballot Hall of Famer and former Baltimore Raven, Ed Reed. Reed will help a good, but not great, group of defensive backs and also gives the team that championship experience that they have been lacking. I believe if this team wants to repeat as division champs, it will need to become more consistent on the offensive end, and Matt Schaub will need to develop a sound relationship with a receiver not wearing number 80. Season Prediction: 12-4, I have the Texans repeating as division champs but will have the same playoff result as the previous seasons. Indianapolis Colts The surprising division runner-up from last season was the new look Indianapolis Colts. 2012 was a total 360 degree turnaround from 2011. No Peyton? No problem. Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck did not disappoint in his inaugural season. All the rookie did was guide a 2-14 franchise to the playoffs in his rookie season, and he did that with a not-so-good defense and a horrid offensive line. The Colts were the feel-good story of the division and probably the league last season as their head coach battled and won a fight with leukemia. This year is going to be very telling for the franchise because now their quarterback is in his second full season and they signed a veteran running back with two rings, in Ahmad Bradshaw, but they also lost one of their all-time greats, Dwight Freeney, on the defensive side of the ball. The Colts have a good offense with the likes of Luck, Bradshaw, and Wayne, but that defense has to play better if they expect a return to the playoffs this season. Season Prediction: 8-8, I see the Colts having a down year after riding last season’s emotional rollercoaster and being badly exposed on the defensive side of the ball. Tennessee Titans For the Titans, who finished in 3rd place last season, this season is going to be one that is going to, in my opinion, make or break head coach Mike Munchak. He has yet to reach the post season with the franchise but, to his credit, the quarterback position has been in limbo since he became the head coach. The team signed Matt Hasselbeck a couple of seasons ago, the same year they drafted Jake Locker early in the 2011 draft, but he has yet to play a full season in either of his first two years. I am of the mindset that Locker will come out this season and have a 2011 Matthew Stafford type of season. The players were both drafted high because of the great potential, even though Locker is a better athlete than Stafford, but they both had to deal with injuries in their first couple of seasons. Once Stafford was healthy and ready to play a full season, he went out and threw for over 5,000 yards. Not saying that Locker will pass for 5,000 yards, but I am saying that with being healthy this season and possibly starting all 16 games, he could finally show the Titans brass that he is “the man.” The Titans also went out and got controversial and hard-hitting veteran safety Bernard Pollard, after he was cut by the Ravens. Pollard adds some toughness and that championship pedigree that all professional teams need in order to reach that next level. Parody is one thing the NFL doesn’t lack and if Locker is in good health and CJ2K can return to form and Kenny Britt stays healthy, this Titans team could be on their way back to the post-season. Season Prediction: 10-6, I see Jake Locker finally having a healthy season and with rookie offensive contributions from Chance Warmack and Justin Hunter at the receiver position, the Titans will have a winning season and battle for a playoff spot. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jags finished last in the division last season, and that came as no surprise for most fans, including their own. The Jags have been dismal over the past few years, and it hasn’t been just one thing that has stopped them from being competitive. The number one problem in my eyes has been the lack of consistent quarterback play. Blaine Gabbert just isn’t the answer and neither is Chad Henne. I never quite understood how they could cut David Garrard after he led them to the playoffs and just give the job to Gabbert. Blaine Gabbert may be a starter in this league one day, but he just isn’t yet. They have a top five running back in MJD, but he was injured last season, not to mention he had some contract disputes with management. The team drafted Justin Blackmon last season and he started to pick up his game towards the latter part of the year. The Jaguars hope to turn things around this season after being the perrenial divisional doormat for three of the last five years. Season Prediction: 5-11, this franchise is dismal and in need of help structurally. I’m talking from the top all the way down to the bottom. Gabbert will have a so-so season and will battle injuries and their defense will fight hard, but their offense will struggle to keep them in games. Click here to view the article Number9, gatordude731, 2ToneTerror, and 3 others 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonboy Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Welcome. I'd be thrilled if that Titans prediction really happens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TitanJoe Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I like this guy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMJ Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Another new member? Awesome. Another recruit for Omans ' Red Wedding' OILERMAN 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WG53 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Homer alert. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamalisms Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Good to see you here Bigg. nice wrote-up. I hope people don't overstate your Stafford comparison. You explained it pretty well and I would agree that Jake, if he stays healthy, will show more of his true colors this year. You think his true colors are that of a legit QB. I hope you're right. A projected cleaner pocket and healthy/emerging WRs, not to mention a hopefully better-able-to-contribute run game should do a lot to help him... one way or another. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigg Talks Sports Posted August 14, 2013 Author Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Homer alert. Not a homer at all, but I just think that with the way the league works, there's no reason to not have optimism for this season. Think about, 3 years ago NOBODY saw the 49ers returning to their glory days, now look at them...SB contenders the last 2 seasons, and now some have them as a lock to return this year. I could see if I said the Raiders or Jags would be contenders. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatordude731 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 optimism yeah, that's frowned upon in these parts. You'll learn in due time. JLocker10 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post TitansAB Posted August 14, 2013 Popular Post Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Homer alert. Every time I read one of your posts, I always picture you like this. Edited August 14, 2013 by TitansAB TampaTitan, Eighteen, Atticus, and 3 others 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number9 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 I love the Titans, but I am still not sold on Jake or this defense producing 10-6. WELCOME!! Bigg Talks Sports 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
titanruss Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Not a homer at all, but I just think that with the way the league works, there's no reason to not have optimism for this season. Think about, 3 years ago NOBODY saw the 49ers returning to their glory days, now look at them...SB contenders the last 2 seasons, and now some have them as a lock to return this year. I could see if I said the Raiders or Jags would be contenders. Optimism and homerism are synonymous to some here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamalisms Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Not a homer at all, but I just think that with the way the league works, there's no reason to not have optimism for this season. Think about, 3 years ago NOBODY saw the 49ers returning to their glory days, now look at them...SB contenders the last 2 seasons, and now some have them as a lock to return this year. I could see if I said the Raiders or Jags would be contenders.God forbid someone predict us to come in second in our division... EVERYBODY PANIC! You explained why you predicted second place. Again - second in the division. It may be a bit hopeful but it's reasonable. Ignore the trolls. It's not worth the explanation. Bigg Talks Sports 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMJ Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Every time I read one of your posts, I always picture you like this. LOL Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
JLocker10 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) The Colts are going to regress. They were 9-1 in games decided by 7 points or less. They were the only playoff team with a negative point differential (-30) A lot of fluky wins and a weak schedule. They played the AFC East, the Chiefs, the Browns, us twice, and the Jags twice. No one is going to sleep on them this year. Edited August 14, 2013 by JLocker10 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WG53 Posted August 14, 2013 Report Share Posted August 14, 2013 Not a homer at all, but I just think that with the way the league works, there's no reason to not have optimism for this season. Think about, 3 years ago NOBODY saw the 49ers returning to their glory days, now look at them...SB contenders the last 2 seasons, and now some have them as a lock to return this year. I could see if I said the Raiders or Jags would be contenders. No reason to not be optimistic? Sure other than having a crappy pass rush, secondary, and passing game on offense. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.