2006 AFC South Predictions

AFC south - INDIANAPOLIS COLTS PREDICTIONS

Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are 11:2 to win the Super Bowl, 10:3 to win the AFC Championship, and 1:4 to win the AFC South.

There can be no questioning the ability of Peyton Manning, but the loss of star running back, Edgerrin James will see the Colts’ quarterback face one of his biggest challenges in 2006.

The Manning and James partnership has flourished since 1999, and Manning will need Dominic Rhodes to step up after barely playing the last four years. Rookie Joseph Addai, a promising running back from LSU, should also see plenty of action and may prove a capable replacement for James.

Even without James, the Colts have plenty of other attacking weapons, notably wide receivers Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne. The 17 touchdowns they tallied between them last year is ample proof of that.

Manning’s critics have been having a picnic over the summer, claiming he can’t handle the pressure of the playoffs. That is a perception he will want to put to rest this year, but Manning must deliver a Super Bowl victory.

The Colts’ offensive line fell apart badly in their playoff loss against Pittsburgh, but it is still a good unit overall. It will be an adjustment without James in the backfield as the o-line was completely in sync with him.

The Colts’ defense made a dramatic improvement in the AFC last year, going from 14th to 1st in points allowed. Dwight Freeney might not be the most complete defensive end in the game, but many will tell you that he is the most feared.

Freeney and Robert Mathis have produced an awesome 49 sacks between them in the last two seasons, and have every quarterback they face looking nervously over their shoulder.

Like Manning though, there are question marks over the ability of the defense to stand firm in the playoffs. They can, and have been, bulldozed in big games.

Summing Up: Manning needs to get the playoff “monkey” off his back. If he can do so, a Super Bowl berth isn’t out of the question.

AFC SOUTH - Tennessee Titans PREDICTIONS

Tennessee Titans

The Titans are 125:1 to win the Super Bowl, 60:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 30:1 to win the AFC South.

With just nine wins in the past two seasons, it’s been tough times for Titans’ fans, and losses in all three pre-season games has done little to inspire confidence.

The annoying thing for Titans’ fans is that even in the good ole days from 1999 to 2003, it was apparent the franchise was headed for troubled times. A failure to manage the salary cap forced a lot of veterans to be released, and the Titans have become one of the lowest ranked teams in the NFL.

This season, they will be pinning their faith on 30-year-old Billy Volek, who is the starter for now. Veteran, Kerry Collins was also signed yesterday.

If Volek struggles early, they may make a switch to Collins or rookie quarterback, Vince Young from Texas. Young has the talent, but no quarterback can be expected to immediately find his feet at this level without a few problems.

The Tennessee quarterback will have plenty to work with on offense, with receiver Drew Bennett and free agent acquisition, David Givens. Tight ends, Erron Kinney and Ben Troupe came up with 1,000 yards between them last year and should continue to develop.

Coach Jeff Fisher’s hopes of surviving his 13th season with the team could rest with the Titans’ defense, one of the youngest units in the NFL. However, last year’s statistics show the Titans conceded 30-plus points in half their 16 games, not a good sign.

The defense is held together by two solid performers, 27 year-old defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch and outside linebacker Keith Bulluck. The arrival of linebacker David Thornton from the Colts will also help, as he has plenty of experience playing winning football.

A few years back, the Titans boasted one of the best home field records in the game, but rival coaches no longer fear the trip to Tennessee, another worrying indicator for 2006.

Summing Up: After trading quarterback Steve McNair, the Titans made some inroads, signing three quality players in Givens, center Kevin Mawae and safety Chris Hope. A tough season looms though, in which the best the Titans can hope for is third in their division behind the Colts and Jaguars. Look for mass changes, on and off the field, if they come up with another losing season.

AFC SOUTH - JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS PREDICTIONS

Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jaguars are 35:1 to win the Super Bowl, 17:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 7:2 to win the AFC South.

Every quarterback in the NFL feels the heat before the kickoff to a new season, but few will feel it more than Byron Leftwich in coming days.

Entering his fourth NFL season, Leftwich has proved he can bring the Jags to the playoffs, but questions remain over his ability to get them to the next level.

Leftwich’s stocky physique and injuries at vital stages of the last two seasons haven’t helped his cause. He also hasn’t started this year in the best form, sacked seven times in three pre-season games. The Jaguars have a very capable backup in David Garrard, and he could be given a chance if Leftwich’s form doesn’t improve in a hurry.

The retirement of consistent wide receiver, Jimmy Smith leaves a hole on offense, and replacing a man who gained more than 1,000 yards nine times in the past 10 seasons shapes up as a tall order.

Coach Jack Del Rio will be looking for the likes of Matt Jones, Ernest Wilford and Reggie Williams to pick up the slack in this vital area. Watch for a big first season from rookie tight end, Marcedes Lewis, a youngster with huge expectations on his shoulders. All four are talented, but short on NFL experience, a potential worry.

Defense has been the heart and soul of the Jaguars’ success in recent years, and it should continue this year. Safety Donovin Darius is back from missing most of last year with a knee injury, and he provides a physical presence in the secondary.

Defensive tackles, Marcus Stroud and John Henderson can shut down opposing backs from running up the middle. The defense produced 47 sacks last year, with defensive ends Reggie Hayward and Paul Spicer leading the way, registering 16 between them.

Summing Up - The Jaguars finished 12-4 last regular season, but were thrashed 28-3 by the Patriots in the playoffs. A tougher schedule may give them less wins, but they still have enough talent to finish a clear second in the AFC South behind the Colts.

AFC SOUTH - HOUSTON TEXANS PREDICTIONS

Houston Texans

The Texans are 125:1 to win the Super Bowl, 18:1 to win the AFC Championship, and 60:1 to win the AFC South.

After a disastrous two-win season in 2005, the Texans could very well be the big improvers of the NFL in 2006.

Rookie coach, Gary Kubiak is held in high regard by those in the know, and they believe he has the ability to turn around the Texans’ problems on offense. That improvement has already been evident in impressive wins in two of their three pre-season games. A former offensive co-ordinator with the Broncos, Kubiak brings a tough new attitude to Houston.

Quarterback, David Carr remains something of an unknown quantity despite being 27-years-old and in his fifth campaign. Why? It is because he has had precious little protection from the offensive line in recent seasons. If they offer more protection, Carr should significantly improve his tally of 14 touchdown passes in 2005.

Carr will work in tandem with Domanick Davis, a consistent performer who rushed for almost 1,000 yards last year despite playing in just 11 games. Davis is battling a knee injury though, and his status for the season opener is in doubt. Receivers, Andre Johnson and Eric Moulds are the Texans best combination in years.

Defense has been a major problem for the Texans since the franchise began in 2002, a major reason the team has never made the playoffs. Last year, the team gave up the most points in the NFL. Kubiak has already ditched last season’s disastrous 3-4 defensive scheme, reverting to a more conventional 4-3 that should produce immediate results.

Another big help is the arrival of $54 million defensive end Mario Williams. His presence could help the Texans’ defense gain some long overdue respect from rival teams. Anthony Weaver and N.D. Kalu, were two good free agent acquisitions at defensive end.

Returning to a three-man line-up at linebacker should help the defense cope, with Shantee Orr, Morlon Greenwood and rookie DeMeco Ryans the likely starters.

Summing Up: If the offensive line can show more resolve, and the new acquisitions can step-up, the Texans will be among the year’s big improvers. That being said, they still lack the heavy artillery needed for a playoff contender.

Click any of the following links for more NFL 2006 Division Predictions for the NFL 2006 Betting Season.

2006 AFC West Predictions
2006 AFC South Predictions
2006 AFC North Predictions
2006 AFC East Predictions
2006 NFC West Predictions
2006 NFC South Predictions
2006 NFC East Predictions
2006 NFC North Predictions

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