2014 NFL Preview, AFC South


In honor of the coming NFL Season, I'll be doing my previews by division. I am going in reverse order (in my opinion) from worst to best division. Hence, we're beginning with the AFC South. I will be chronicling teams in order of how I think they finish in their division. I will have a post at the end of the previews where I will (attempt to) guess the records for teams in 2014.

1. Indianapolis Colts
About: There is really only good team in this division. The Colts will be in the playoffs, but I'm not sure if they are strong enough to really compete for a title. Andrew Luck is a great quarterback, and likely he will continue to improve. But on offense, the Colts are counting on Trent Richardson to carry the running game, something we didn't see after the trade last year. It's hard to believe he's going to be a lot better, despite the Colts' optimism. The receivers are deep and will improve. the Colts added Hakeem Nicks from the Giants, and Reggie Wayne is back from injury, plus there's Dwayne Allen and Coby Fleener at tight end and T.Y. Hilton on the outside. The Colts will put up another good record and cruise to a division title.

2. Houston Texans
About: This team will be better than the 2-14 atrocity of last season, but they aren't a playoff team. Bill O'Brien takes the helm and has a lot of problems to work out on offense. Arian Foster will hopefully be back, healthy, but the Texans lost a lot of the depth behind him. In addition, quarterback is a mess. Tom Savage is a rookie, Case Keenum has struggled, and Ryan Fitzpatrick was awful in the team's first pre-season game. The Texans lost that game 32-0. It's preseason, yes, but that's tough. The strength of this team will be on defense, especially in the front seven. That will only be helped by Jadaveon Clowney.

3. Tennessee Titans
About: This team is all about Jake Locker, and that doesn't seem like a good thing. Coach Ken Whisenhunt has his work cut out for him. The first preseason game didn't show a lot from Locker, either. This is the season he needs to really develop into something, but I don't think it will happen. The rest of the offense is just OK. Chris Johnson moved on to the Jets, but rookie Bishop Sankey could be exciting. Who knows what the Titans will get out of their receivers and tight ends, and that's even if Locker can get them the ball. On defense, the Titans added some experience and depth at linebacker with former Broncos Wesley Woodyard and Shaun Phillips, two starters in the Super Bowl in February. The team will be OK on defense, too, but the Titans are unimpressive. They could be the second best team in the division, though I think the Texans will be better. That being said, this isn't a playoff team.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars
About: Once upon a time the Jaguars were a competitive team and a playoff contender. That seems like a lifetime ago. Gus Bradley was a good defensive coordinator in Seattle, and hopefully he'll help the defense in Jacksonville. But on offense, there are questions. Chad Henne is a serviceable veteran, and Blake Bortles could develop into a good quarterback, but I doubt either will be exceptional this season. In the running game, the Jaguars are turning to career backup Toby Gerhart. They improved the offensive line with former Broncos' starter Zane Beatles, but it remains to be seen if Gerhart can carry the load as the feature back. In the passing game, Cecil Shorts has shown flashes but there's not a lot to work with. Much like the Texans and Titans, the Jaguars remain an unimpressive team. Hopefully the defense can keep them in games and the offense can make a few things happen, but this doesn't seem like a playoff team.

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