Dean Browski » Blog Archive » AFC South 2009 Preview and Predictions

AFC South 2009 Preview and Predictions

by The Dean @ 11:59 am. Filed under NFL

AFC South 2009 Preview and Predictions

Indianapolis Colts: The biggest change for the Colts this year will be that Tony Dungy is no longer prowling the sidelines. I don’t think we will be able to tell its a new guy at the helm (Jim Caldwell) because Caldwell was on the Dungy staff and he is going to use the same formula as before. What the Colts need is to stay healthy, run the ball, and stop the other team from running the ball. Drafting Donald Brown from UConn in the first round should aid the Colts’ ground game. Brown will be able to help a lot more if Joseph Addai stays healthy. If the Colts can go at least 3-2 over a 5 game stretch of HOU, NE, @BAL, @HOU, TEN (weeks 9 – 13) they can get 11 wins.
Predicted Finish: 11-5

Tennessee Titans: The Titans surprised a lot of people last year and that was noted in their 12-3-1 record ATS. The Titans started the year 10-0 SU and 9-0-1 ATS before losing badly at home to the Jets. Prior to the Jet loss the Titans had 3 good wins (Baltimore, Minnesota, and Indianapolis). They ended the year with 3 wins, with only a victory over the Steelers as noteworthy, and an early exit from the playoffs thanks to the Ravens. What does this all mean for 2009? The Titans lost Albert Haynesworth who signed with the Redskins and it make you wonder just how good the defense will be with his absence and the loss of their defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz who left to take over the Lions. Can Kerry Collins put together another year like last? The Titans play the AFC East and the NFC West. They should be able to manage a 5-3 record in those 8 games, along with a split of a road Steeler game and a home Charger game. Combined with a 4-2 division record, I see the Titans getting 10 wins this year.
Predicted Finish: 10-6

Houston Texans: Last year the Texans were supposed to challenge for a playoff spot, and they sorta did. A 4-game losing streak to start the year got them off to a bad start from which they rebounded, fell, rebounded again, and then ultimately fell before their roller-coaster season came to an end and the Texans were at 8-8. The Texans should be able to score but must have their offense also protect the ball MUCH better than they did last year. The health of QB Matt Schaub is already a concern, which is not a good thing. The defense didn’t improve much in the off-season so expect some shoot-outs when the Texans are on the field. This team should be able to get 4 wins from their division; a split with the AFC East, especially considering the open with the Jets at home which should be a win for the Texans; and, a winning record against the NFC West. That is nine wins with the two other opponents being the Raiders at home and at the Bengals. That could be 11 wins for the Texans.
Predicted Finish: 10-6

Jacksonville Jaguars: I don’t see how the Jaguars are going to be any better than they were last year. The offensive improvement was to add 11 year vet Torry Holt to the 24th ranked scoring offense. That isn’t going to cut it. Maybe Matt Jones will have a better year without any legal issues hanging over his head, and for as much as fantasy people rave about Maurice Jones-Drew, he didn’t rush for 1,00 yards last year and had fumbles that totaled more than half his TDs. The first 4 games will tell the tale for this team. They could easily be 0-4.
Predicted Finish: 5-11