We are only a few days away from the kickoff of the NFL's regular season. So glad to be back in football season, need it after a few months of only baseball. Well, the New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts both come from each conferences respective South divisions. Will we see a rematch of Super Bowl XLIV? Only time will tell, but read and see what I think will happen in these divisions.
AFC South
This division is the toughest in the NFL. I do not care what anyone says of that statement either. Look up and down this division and you do not see one very flawed team. Granted, every team is flawed in some capacity, but none have the flaws which make them totally stink. Every other division in the NFL has at least one team which completely stinks. I'm predicting right now that every team in this division will finish within one game of .500.
Jacksonville Jaguars
I don't know how Jacksonville can support a team when they routinely cannot draw enough fans to a game to make it available on local television. I don't know how they continuously are within striking distance of a wild card spot. I do not know how they always make it tough on the Indianapolis Colts every time they play them. The only thing I do know is that they draft incredibly well and have an amazing head coach in Jack Del Rio. Del Rio continuously gets the most out of his players and makes them play over their heads. Plus, the defense always seems to hold teams to under 20 points to make the team competitive. The Jags offense is downright pitiful without Maurice Jones-Drew who makes everyone miss because of his stature, under six feet, and his shiftiness. But, they do find ways to win, and will find a way to win seven games.
Prediction: 7-9
Houston Texans
Everyone has been thinking for the past few years that this team is the one which is going to break through the barrier and reach the promised land of the playoffs. I was one of those people last year, this year I'm just not seeing that special something which this team needs. Granted, they have a fantastic linebacking group headed by DeMeco Ryans and Brian Cushing. They also have an excellent receiving corps headed by perennial all-star Andre Johnson and Jacoby Jones. they also have some talented running backs in Steve Slaton and Arian Foster. Ryans and Cushing will get their share of tackles and sacks, and intercept about six passes between them. Johnson and Jones will put up 1,000 yard seasons compliments of Matt Schaub, their quarterback. Foster and Slaton could possibly put up a 2,000 yard season combined, but despite those gaudy numbers, I just don't see this team as more than a .500 team.
Prediction: 8-8
Tennessee Titans
The Titans have the most explosive player in the NFL right now, Chris Johnson. Despite coming out of small school East Carolina, the Titans drafted Johnson in the first round of the 2008 draft and he has burst onto the scene right away. Johnson rushed for over 1,200 yards in his first season and became only the 6th running back in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in his second season. He's aiming for 2,500 yards this season, which is a mark that has never been approached in NFL history. The Titans also have Vince Young, and while he may not be the flashiest or even the most technical of quarterbacks, but all he does is win. As evidenced by his career at Texas and in Nashville. The Titans also have a solid defense led by Chris Hope at safety and Cortland Finnegan at the corner positions. Plus, they have a very experienced and good coach in Jeff Fosher who counts for at least two wins a season based on his coaching alone.
Prediction: 10-6, 5th seed in the AFC.
Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning. Do I need to say more? He has led this team to 12 wins in every season since 2003! As long as Manning stays healthy and keeps Curtis Painter holding a clipboard, the Colts will again finish with a 12-4 record and win the AFC South. Manning will pass for over 3,000 yards, the defense will be just fine, despite missing Dwight Freeney and Bob Sanders for what will be combined an entire season, but others will step up, as always and take the Colts to the AFC Championship game once again.
Prediction: 12-4, number 1 seed.
NFC South
This division is split in half with two good teams and two fairly bad teams. You can probably guess who those two teams are both good and bad, but i'm going to tell you who I think they are.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wish they could be half as good as the Reading Buccaneers despite doing two completely different things.
The Reading Buccaneers are a world renowned marching band, and just won their 6th consecutive world title.
Raheem Morris is entering his second year as head coach and it's going to be another long year for the Bucs. In 2009, the Bucs were winless until week nine, and became the last team to get their first win last season. The Bucs do have a bright future with quarterback Josh Freeman and a young defense, but don't expect much improvement from a 3-13 record last season.
Prediction: 5-11
Carolina Panthers
The Panthers lost two institutions of the franchise this past offseason, as the team released quarterback Jake Delhomme and allowed Chicago to sign defensive end Julius Peppers. John Fox is a fairly good head coach, but this year is pretty much a rebuilding year and waiting for Jimmy Clausen to make his first start as the quarterback of the future. The bright spots for the Panthers are their running backs, through which most of the offense is based. DeAngelo Williams and Jonathon Stewart are incredible and rushed for 1,100 yards apiece last season, becoming the first duo in NFL history to accomplish that. Matt Moore will also have his trouble in his first season as being the man to start at quarterback. the defense will also be ok, but will have its share of difficulties.
Prediction: 6-10
Atlanta Falcons
As much as I want to pick the Falcons as a playoff team, I already have the Eagles and Vikings penciled in to the final two wild card picks. I love Matt Ryan as the starting quarterback, as he shows a ton of poise in the pocket and led this team to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time in franchise history. I also expect Michael Turner to be back in form and rush for over 1,000 yards after injuries plagued him last season. I also fully expect the defense, led by sack machine John Abraham to make some noise. I have very high expectations for this team to challenge the Saints for the division crown, but will come up just short in both the wild card and division.
Predction: 9-7, barely missing the playoffs.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints also are facing some tough odds in getting back to the Super Bowl, as no team has reached back to back Super Bowls since the New England Patriots in the 2003-04 seasons. No team has won back-to-back Super Bowls since that team either. But, since the defending champions have nearly everyone back on offense from last season including Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees, I am inclined to say they will make a run at it. The Saints are also hoping Darren Sharper will have another career year as well, but I think he'll drop off in production from his 2009 year, especially after the Saints placed him on the PUP list for the first six weeks of the season, as he is physcially unable to perform. But, the defense will still be solid with Will Allen at defensive end who will get about 10 sacks. Then shutdown corner Tracy Porter who should perform well once again.
Prediction: 10-6, number 3 seed.
Look for the AFC and NFC West previews tomorrow night!
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