UTTQ 2011 NFL Predictions: AFC South

The 2011 season may have not begun, but our 2011 NFL Regular Season predictions have. Here's a brief summary of each AFC South team, in no particular order, starting with the defending division champion Indianapolis Colts:

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
For the first time in a while, this division is almost completely up-for-grabs. With the quarterback situation unsettled in Indy, everyone else must step up. Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark, Austin Collie, and Joseph Addai provide excellent support for whoever throws the ball. The o-line has shuffled a bit, and it remains to be seen whether it holds well. On defense, with Dwight Freeney continuing to pressure the opposing left tackle, the linebackers (led by Gary Brackett) can be more flexible in coverages, which translates to a more free wheeling secondary. Of course, the biggest question is when Peyton Manning can come back. If this team gets off to a tough start with Kerry Collins, and Manning returns to lead them to the playoffs, it will be hard to ignore his contribution as a true MVP of this team, if not the entire league.

HOUSTON TEXANS
"This will be the year." That's what NFL pundits have been saying about the Texans' playoff hopes ever since the Carr era ended. Unfortunately, the Texans have managed to disappoint numerous times with a mediocre regular season record. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson, Arian Foster, and company have done all they could, to no avail. As explosive as the offense has been the last few years, the defense has been dreadful. This year, former Cowboys coach Wade Phillips installs his 3-4 scheme with a bunch of possible playmakers at his disposal (including Mario Williams, DeMeco Ryans, Brian Cushing). The question will be whether the available personnel can cleanly make the switch.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
The Jags have only been to the playoffs twice since their epic 1999 season (see our "Greatest Teams"), and have otherwise been a downtrodden franchise. The team has had little identity save for their tailback position, where Fred Taylor has dominated for years, and now Maurice Jones-Drew takes the role of featured back. David Garrard is still the starting QB, but Blaine Gabbert patiently waits in the wings. This year could very well be do-or-die for Del Rio, otherwise it may be time to finally make the move to LA....

TENNESSEE TITANS
The Titans, like the Jaguars, have a quarterback project of their own. Matt Hasselbeck, the longtime Seahawk, is set to start, with Jake Locker right behind him on the depth chart. Fortunately for both, the Titans have secured their number one player in runningback Chris Johnson. Johnson has a questionable attitude, but undoubtedly holds unbelievable talents and skills. If/when the quarterbacks start to struggle in the passing game, they can always hand it off to Johnson. The o-line looks ready to reach Pro Bowl caliber form under new Titans coach Mike Munchak. What will be interesting to watch is whether the defense improves.


AFC SOUTH TITLE: Indianapolis Colts

• This was a tough choice, but if the Colts can survive relatively unscathed while/if Peyton Manning's gone, then they have a legitimate chance to run the table. Unfortunately, if Manning continues what many see as the beginning of a steady decline, look for possibly the Titans to surprise some people.

WILD CARD TEAMS: None

• I believe the Titans will be formidable, but in the end it may not be enough to beat out the other wild card teams of the AFC. The Texans could also surprise, but may struggle with their new defensive personnel adjustments. The Jaguars are too unstable a franchise to consistently compete.

The Greatest Teams: 1958 Baltimore Colts

The Colts are one of the many NFL franchises with a long and storied history. From the days in Baltimore to the days in Indianapolis (after a controversial move from Baltimore in the middle of the night), the Colts can be characterized by two resounding eras: the era of Johnny Unitas and the era of Peyton Manning (one could also make a case for Bert Jones, but we'll overlook that for now). This decision was no easy one. The Colts have had many recent successful seasons, most notably in 2005. Although this recent string of successes could have biased us immensely, we decided to go with an old-timer squad. With best regards to the 1964 and 1968 teams, the greatest Colts team ever, in our minds, is the 1958 Baltimore Colts. One game in particular defined this team's greatest accomplishments, but we'll get to that later.

First up, the offense, led by none other than star quarterback Johnny Unitas. Unitas passed for over 2,000 yards and 19 touchdowns, a league high. He also ran for nearly 300 yards and 3 more touchdowns, showing that he could not only do it in the air but with his feet as well. All Pro runningback Lenny Moore ran for 598 yards and 7 touchdowns while also coming in second on the team in receptions, with 50 receptions for 938 yards and 7 more scores. Fullback Alan Ameche also made big contributions to the offense, leading the backfield with 791 yards and 8 touchdowns. L.G. Dupre carried the load as well, rushing for nearly 400 yards and 3 more scores. The receiving options were deadly, with Hall of Fame left end Raymond Berry and Jim Mutscheller flanking on the right. Berry led the league in receiving touchdowns with 9 and also came in fourth for yardage. The offensive line boasted the talented left tackle Jim Parker, who was well on his way to a Hall of Fame career. Parker once remarked that Unitas had practically "five minutes" in the backfield to look for an open man.

On defense, the fearless Pro Bowl defensive end Gino Marchetti caused problems in offensive protection, while the All-Pro defensive tackles Art Donovan and Gene Lipscomb kept rushers to just 1291 yards on the season. Linebackers Don Shinnick and Leo Sanford combined to record 4 interceptions, but it was really the secondary that kept opposing quarterbacks on their toes. With a league high of twenty combined interceptions, the antics of Carl Taseff, Milt Davis, Andy Nelson, and Ray Brown go widely unrecognized, but the managed to contribute when it counted. Brown was also the team's punter and one of the league's best. Kicker Steve Myrha, although erratic, pulled up big performances in big games.

Under the leadership and guidance of coach Weeb Ewbank and owner Carroll Rosenbloom, the Colts dominated the NFL early in the season. After opening the season 6-0, the Colts finally lost to the New York Giants, 21-24. The chance for revenge would come soon, however, as the Colts again met the Giants in the 1958 NFL Championship game. A record crowd of 64,185 showed up for the game at Yankee Stadium, with several million more watching the game on TV. Originally up 14-3 at halftime, the Colts were reeling near the end of the 4th quarter after a touchdown pass from New York quarterback Charlie Conerly to halfback Frank Gifford. A downfield rally by the Colts and an incredible Steve Myrha field goal tied the game. With no time left in regulation, the game went into the first sudden death overtime game in NFL playoff history. The Giants quickly punted the ball after a three-and-out, thinking their all star defense led by Sam Huff could stop the Colts. However, Unitas got to work, moving the ball downfield nearly 80 yards, culminating in an exciting 1 yard touchdown run by Alan Ameche. The Colts sealed a victory, 23-17, becoming champions of what has become known as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". In the years after the 1958 NFL Championship Game, popularity in pro football surged, and the Colts also continued their dominance, beating the Giants once again in the 1959 NFL Championship, 31-16. However, the 1958 Baltimore Colts remains one of the strongest and most important teams in NFL lore, and gets our vote as the greatest Colts team of all time.

The Franchise: Peyton Manning

If the phrase "Franchise Quarterback" was in the dictionary, then there would undoubtedly be an accompanying picture of Peyton Manning. Over the last decade plus, no other player in the league has meant more to his team than Manning. Since his rookie season in 1998, Peyton has thrown for at least 3700 yrds and 26 TDs in each season while making the playoffs in all but two years. And if the peripherals weren't enough for you, since the departure of Edgerrin James after the 2005 season and Marvin Harrison's retirement after the 2008 season, Manning has been without a reliable running game and an imposing receiver across from Reggie Wayne. All Peyton has done since losing these superstars is win two MVP awards and appear in two Super Bowls, winning Super Bowl XLI. At 35 years of age, Manning may be reaching the home stretch of his storied career though he shows no signs of slowing down. Ignoring age Manning would still the be the top franchise quarterback in the NFL for 2011 but taking it into account, Manning still sits in the second spot on our list. For the Indianapolis Colts, Peyton Manning is the franchise.