I’ll start off with what looks to be is the strongest division in football, the AFC South.
I see the Colts going 13-3 with losses in week 10, week 12, and week 16. In week 10, Peyton and Company will be traveling to Pittsburgh after knocking off the Patriots the week before. I wouldn’t call it a let down but nobody can be perfect. In week 12, they must fly to San Diego to face the Chargers. It will probably be a close game with the Chargers squeaking out a win. By the time week 16 rolls around, the division will be clinched and Sorgi will see some snaps. Jacksonville will take advantage and take the win.
I believe the Houston Texans will have their best season this year. I look for them to breakout with 10 wins this season. Their 6 losses will come from Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, Indianapolis (twice), Cleveland, and Green Bay. Mario Williams will have a superb, Pro Bowl season with double digit sacks. They will need to find a consistent WR opposite Andre Johnson. They will shock a few teams this season and finish second to the Colts in the division.
Everyone is ready to put the Jaguars over the Colts in this division. I sense a let down coming from Del Rio. Garrard did a solid job last season but look for him to slightly regress. I believe they will go 9-7 this year and it may cost JDR his job. I think they will be too inconsistent to surpass the Colts this year and will be overtaken by the Texans in the process. Their losses: (Buffalo, Indianapolis, Denver, Tennessee, Minnesota, Houston, and Baltimore). They definitely have the talent, I just don’t think they’ll play up to that level this year.
Vince Young is overrated, thus Tennessee is overrated. Vince is not a passing QB and he doesn’t really have anyone to throw the ball to anyways. The defense has carried this team in the past but they lost a couple of DE’s and are relying on Kearse. I think they’ll manage 7 wins to bring up the rear of the division in the standings. Here’s who they will beat: (Cincinnati, Baltimore, Green Bay, Chicago, Jacksonville, NY Jets, and Detroit).Maybe next year they will draft a WR or DE instead of another RB.
Indianapolis Colts 13-3
Houston Texans 10-6
Jacksonville Jaguars 9-7
Tennessee Titans 7-9
Up next we’ll take on the NFC South.
The Saints should be back to their 2006 form. Deuce may not be 100% and may never be his old self but he is an upgrade over Reggie being the primary runner. Colston should have a huge year and look for Meacham to play a role this season and relieve Colston of double coverage. The defense was horrible last year and Sedrick Ellis will immediately help. They should only lose 4 games (against San Diego in London, Green Bay, at Tampa Bay, and the shocker at Chicago)
I’m thinking the Bucs go about 9-7 this season. There are plenty of question marks (Can Garcia do it again, running game?) and with the resurgence of the Saints they won’t have enough W’s to make the playoffs. The losses: New Orleans, Green Bay, Denver, Dallas, Minnesota, Carolina, and San Diego.
The Panthers should not have traded next season’s first round pick because it’s going to be a fairly high pick. This won’t be a good season for Carolina. Delhomme is still recovering and once he’s better he’ll just get hurt again. Steve Smith can’t catch every ball thrown. Jonathan Stewart or DeAngelo Williams? 5 wins: Chicago, Atlanta (twice), Tampa Bay, and Denver.
As bad as Carolina is going to be, Atlanta will be worse. With Matt Ryan getting some starting experience the Falcons will only win about 3 games. They need more help on both lines and could use more talent all over the field. Here’s who they will beat: Kansas City, Chicago, and St. Louis.
New Orleans Saints 12-4
Tampa Bay Bucs 9-7
Carolina Panthers 5-11
Atlanta Falcons 3-13
