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: 2009 Houston Texans

We start off the AFC South teams with a look at the youngest NFL franchise, the Houston Texans. The Texans' history is a short one, spanning almost one decade of existence in the NFL. Unfortunately, the Texans have not been as dominant a team as other franchises have all been at one point or another, making this decision a relatively tough one. The 2009 Texans featured a team that was on the brink of reaching the playoffs for the first time in team history, and also featured the first winning season by the club. For these reasons, we have chosen this team as the greatest Texans team of all time.

On offense, quarterback Matt Schaub completed his first full season as a Texan since being traded from the Atlanta Falcons back in 2007. Schaub threw for a league-high 4,770 yards, with 29 touchdowns to boot. Runningbacks Steve Slaton and Ryan Moats primarily carried the load, with newcomers Chris Brown and Arian Foster also providing run support. Unfortunately, the rushing offense was ranked 30th in the league. However, the star power in the passing game bolted Houston to first in the league in passing offense. And by star power, we mean All-Pro Andre Johnson, arguably the best receiver in the league today. Johnson recorded his fourth 1,000 yard receiving season (leading the league), and a career high 9 touchdowns. Receiver Kevin Walter and Slaton contributed to the passing game as well, but not so much so as tight end Owen Daniels, who recorded 500 yards receiving and 5 touchdowns before tearing his ACL midway through the season. The O-line proved to be average at best, anchored by the young tackles Duane Brown and Eric Winston. Veteran center Chris Myers may have been the best lineman, but his flaws in pass protection frequently resulted in Schaub throwing quickly.

The right side of the defensive line was particularly menacing, featuring Amobi Okoye and Mario Williams. Defensive ends Williams and Antonio Smith combined for 13.5 sacks on the season. Middle linebacker DeMeco Ryans continued his Pro Bowl form, while rookie linebacker Brian Cushing particularly stood out, recording 4 sacks and 4 picks (enough to earn him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors). Declining cornerback Dunta Robinson led the group of corners, while safety Bernard Pollard led the often injured safety core. On special teams, the veteran group of kicker Kris Brown and punter Matt Turk continued their consistency, while young receivers Jacoby Jones and Andre Davis earned respectable roles as return specialists.

The 2009 Texans, under coach Gary Kubiak, went 9-7, their first winning record in franchise history. They came 10th in the league in points scored, and managed to finish second in the AFC South. Unfortunately, after 4 straight losses to division opponents (primarily due to injuries that riddled this team), even 4 straight wins at the end of the season could not save the Texans, as the New York Jets won the tiebreaker and left the Texans out of the playoffs. Still, this '09 squad proved its worth, keeping the Texans as a preseason favorite for a surprise playoff pick.