NFL
By Monte Perez:
Going into Training Camp the AFC South was the very definition of Top Heavy. The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts have Super Bowl aspirations. The Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars are in rebuilding mode. Neither team will win more than 6 games this season.
AFC South:
Tennesse Titans (Projected Record, 12-5):
Mike Vrable’s 3 years in Tennessee have led to success.
- 2018… 9-7.
- 2019… 9-7. Lost to the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship game.
- 2020… 11-5 Lost to the Baltimore Ravens in the Wild-Card Game
Vrable started his coaching career as a defensive-minded coach but this team is much better offensively than they are defensive. The Titans added WR Julio Jones from Atlanta. They now have the best running back/wide receiver threesome in the NFL
2020 Stats:
- Derrick Henry rushed for 2027 yards, averaged 5.2 yards per rush, he had 17 rushing touchdowns.
- A.J Brown had 70 catches and 11 receiving touchdowns.
- In 2018-19 Jones had 212 total catches and 14 touchdowns.
Ryan Tannehill continues to be a productive quarterback. He threw for 3,819 yards, 40 total touchdowns, and only 7 interceptions.
Defensively, it couldn’t get much worse for Tennessee last season. They were last in the NFL on third-down defense. . The unit ranked 24th in the league in total defense and tied the record for fewest sacks (19) by a playoff team in NFL history. The Titans released defensive backs Malcolm Butler and Adoree’ Jackson. Janoris Jenkins and rookie Caleb Farley should take over those positions. If they can improve pressuring the opposing quarterback and their defense, they could be an elite team in the AFC.
Indianapolis Colts (Projected Finish, (10-7):
The Colts have not played a pre-season game and they already suffered two demoralizing injuries. Carson Wentz and Quenton Nelson are both out for 5-12 weeks with the same foot injury. If the Colts do not acquire a veteran quarterback they are going into Game 1 with Jacob Eason, Sam Ehlinger, and Brett Hundley. Indianapolis has talent behind whoever starts at quarterback. Jonathan Taylor rushed for 1,169 yards in his rookie campaign. Michael Pittman Jr has all the makings to be a top-tier WR. TY Hilton and Zach Pascal make a deep WR group.
Defensively, this team is led by Darius Leonard. He had 132 tackles last season and Indy rewarded him. The Colts & All-Pro LB Darius Leonard agree to terms on a blockbuster 5-year, $99.25M contract extension. Deforest Buckner had 9,5 sacks last season.
The Colt’s first five games are against the Seahawks, Rams, Titans, Dolphins, and Ravens. Even with Wentz, that is a brutal schedule.
Jacksonville Jaguars (Projected Finish, 5-12):
One of the first things Urban Meyer did as head coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, was to invite Tim Tebow to try out for the team. Tebow has not played since 2012 because he is a terrible professional football player. This is a team that is clearly in rebuilding mode. Their first 4 picks of the 2021 draft all have a chance to play.
- Trevor Lawrence, quarterback, Clemson.
- Travis Etienne, running back Clemson.
- Tyson Campbell, cornerback, Georgia.
- Walker Little, offensive tackle, Stanford.
This offense should be able to put up points during the season. Lawrence will make mistakes but he has all the talent in the world. He can beat you with his arms and legs.
Last season, the Jags’ defense ranked 30th in rushing yards allowed and 29th in rushing touchdowns surrendered. They registered just 17 sacks and the defensive front was responsible for 12.5 of them. Jacksonville acquired defensive tackle, Malcom Brown, from the New Orleans Saints.
Urban Meyer should get two wins against the Houston Texans. Three wins after that should be doable.
Houston Texans, (Projected Finish, 2-15):
After winning four AFC South titles in five years, the Texans plunged to 4–12 and fired head coach/general manager Bill O’Brien after an 0–4 start. The Texans lost playmakers on both sides of the ball. DeAndre Hopkins spent last season in Arizona and JJ Watt joined him and is wearing a Cardinals uniform. Deshaun Watson is listed as the starting quarterback on the Texans depth chart. But, it doesn’t appear he will ever play for them again. That leaves Tyrod Taylor, Jeff Driscol, and Davis Mills. Not exactly a plethora of talent under center. David Johnson, Phillip Lindsay, Mark Ingram II, and Rex Burkhead should all see plenty of action from the running back position. Brandon Cook and Chris Conley are the top 2 WR on this team. Nico Collins the rookie out of Michigan should be a contributor as well.
Defensive coordinator, Lovie Smith’s priority is finding players who can force turnovers. The Texans forced a league-low nine in 2020, the second-fewest in the NFL since 1980. Last season their run defense was last in the NFL. There are too many question marks for this unit to even crack the top 20. This is going to be a long year in Houston.
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