NFL - AFC South Season Preview and Prediction

 TENNESSEE TITANS
 
Last Season 9-7 (2nd in AFC South, Missed Playoffs) 381 Points For, 378 Points Against
 
Quarterback 8/10 (Marcus Mariota) – Mariota, in general, had an excellent 2016, as the Titans improved rapidly from a 3-win team to a 9-win team, just missing the playoffs. Mariota threw 26 touchdowns to just 9 interceptions, and completed a respectable 62% of passes. If anything Mariota is not quite as explosive as other elite quarterbacks, throwing for 3400 yards at an average of under 230 yards passing per game. Injuries have also been a bit of a worry as Mariota failed to finish the season when the Titans were on track to make playoffs. 
 
Offence - 8/10 - The Titans have one of the most blanket offences in the NFL, with Mariota’s improvement coming in conjunction with a running game that dominated for most of the season. DeMarco Murray came across from the Eagles and led the AFC in rushing, with 1287 yards from the ground, with Derek Murray adding some big plays to complement Murray. The Titans spent 2 of their first 3 draft picks on wide receivers to try and inject some young quality in that position. 
 
Defence 7/10 - The Titans struggled at times on defence last season, conceding around 24 points per game. Their secondary in particular struggled as they gave up a number of big plays. In Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan, the Titans have 2 productive, veteran line-backers who can read the game. The strongest aspect of the Titans’ defence might be their front 7 who should be able to pressure the quarterback. 
 
Prediction - 10-6 (1st in AFC South) 
 
I think this could be the breakthrough year for the Titans. They were on track to make the playoffs last season before Mariota went down with two games to go. I expect further improvement from him at quarterback, and this side has recruited well through the draft and free agency. 
 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
 
Last Season 8-8 (3rd in AFC South, 411 Points For, 392 Against)
 
Quarterback - 9/10  (Andrew Luck) - Andrew Luck is a very good quarterback, however he hasn't been dealt the best hand in terms of being looked after by the Colts’ offensive line.  Luck threw 15 games last season, racked up some impressive numbers with over 4200 yards passing, completing 63% of his passes and throwing 31 touchdowns to 13 interceptions. If Luck is healthy, and has time to throw, he is potentially a Top 5 quarterback in the game today. However he needs to cut down on his overall turnovers. 
 
Offence 8/10 - The Colts still managed to rack up points last season, averaging over 25 points per game. They have had huge problems at offensive line over the past few years, with Andrew Luck being sacked 41 times last season, after being sacked 156 times in 70 games overall. Luck's body has taken a beating as he recovers from off-season surgery. The Colts have a Pro Bowl wide receiver in T.Y. Hilton, however lack depth in the position. Veteran Frank Gore rushed for over 1000 yards last season, but at 33 years of age is not an explosive running back. 
 
Defence - 5/10 - The Colts’ defence really struggled last season, conceding nearly 25 points per game on average. The defence was ranked 30th overall in the League, and they have invested in the off-season, recruiting some younger players. The Colts have really struggled to rush the passer in recent years and will need that to change if they hope to improve overall defensively. 
 
Prediction 9-7 (2nd in AFC South, Miss Playoffs) 
 
Andrew Luck, if fit and healthy, is the best quarterback in the Division, so I expect the Colts to challenge for a playoff spot. However, their offensive line and defence still look really suspect and I think that might just edge them out of a playoff spot once more. 

 HOUSTON TEXANS
 
Last Season 9-7 (1st in AFC South, Eliminated 2nd Round playoffs) 279 Points For, 328 Points Against
 
Quarterback 5/10 (Tom Savage) - The Texans have been a disaster at quarterback the past few seasons despite finishing 9-7 in each of the past 3 years. Last season, big money signing Brock Osweiler was so poor he was replaced by backup Tom Savage who played at a higher level than Osweiler, before succumbing to injury before the playoffs. Savage is an unknown quantity at NFL level, having only ever thrown 92 passes, and having yet to throw a touchdown. Highly rated rookie Deshaun Watson is sure to put pressure on Savage for a starting position. 
 
Offence - 5/10 - The Texans’ offence was pretty ugly last season, averaging just over 17 points per game. The Texans finished 29th in overall yards and 31st in red zone offence, as they struggled to capitalise on good opportunities. The Texans ran the ball more than any other side last season, and have a decent running game in the form of Lamar Miller and D'Onta Foreman. The Texans will rely heavily on DeAndre Hopkins at wide receiver to create some big plays for them.
 
Defence 9/10 - The Texans’ defence has a number of big names and was dominant at times last season. They really carried this side into the playoffs and to a 2nd straight division title. JJ Watt was ranked the best defensive player in the NFL over the past few years; however he has been decimated by injury playing just 2 games last season. With Jadeveon Clowney dominating, and a good group at linebacker, the Texans should be one of the Top 5 defences in the NFL once more. 
 
Prediction 8-8 (3rd in AFC South) 
 
I just think you can't keep overcoming problems at quarterback. The Texans have managed to scramble through and win a couple of Division titles on primarily their defence, however the AFC South looks stronger this year, and I think they might come back to the field and miss the playoffs. 
 
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS
 
Last Season 3-13 (Last in AFC South) 318 Points For, 400 Against
 
Quarterback 5.5/10 (Blake Bortles) - Bortles was taken higher than Derek Carr in the draft, however he has never lived up to the hype in Jacksonville. Despite throwing for nearly 4000 yards last year, Bortles threw only 23 touchdowns to 16 interceptions, and completed less than 60% of his passes, despite having some good offensive weapons to throw to. This will be a make or break year for Bortles having thrown 51 interceptions in 46 career games. 
 
Offence - 5.5/10 The Jaguars’ offense struggled with consistency last year, averaging nearly 20 points per game. They will be relying heavily on rookie running back Leonard Fournette to spark a running game that has really struggled since Maurice Jones-Drew left in 2012. Fournette was explosive in College, rushing for over 3800 yards in 3 seasons at LSU. 
 
Defence 5/10 - The Jaguars’ defence was torched last season for large periods, conceding 26 points per game on average. The Jaguars were 19th for sacks, with 33 for the season, which isn't terrible. However they only managed 7 interceptions which was the least in the NFL. They also conceded the 3rd most plays over 40 yards, with this being a defence that could give up the big play way too often. 
 
Prediction 4-12 (Last in AFC South) 
 
I fell into the Jaguars last season; however I won't be doing that again. They have some talented players, however they have too many question marks in terms of their mentality and ability to produce a consistent 60 minutes of football. I expect their offense to be better this season, however in a Division which looks stronger, they are still a fair way off the other sides for mine.