AFC South Preview

The AFC South is a solid division from top to bottom. All four teams are viable and competitive year-in and year-out. History has taught us the Colts will make the playoffs and the Texans won't, while the Titans and Jaguars will fight around to varying degrees of success. That's been the story of this division and it will repeat again this year.

INDIANAPOLIS 12-4

Another stellar regular season for the Colts

It's like clockwork. Peyton Manning, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark. No running game - it's just for show. Year after year after year. Expect more of the same. The only question will be the offensive line. Some new players will get the nod this year and veterans are getting older, but Manning is too smart to let that slow down the offense. Only the refs, with a possible new rule, have a chance.

The defense can be suspect at times, but not enough to do any real damage. Bob Sanders, the 2007 Defensive Player of the Year, will be back after missing a lot of time over the past two seasons. His presence on the field is a major boost for the Colts. Hopefully Sanders can stay healthy but history tells us otherwise. LB Gary Brackett injured his arm in the preseason and Indianapolis will need its leading tackler at full strength. X-rays were negative on Brackett.

The Colts are on their way to another division title and legitimate Super Bowl aspirations. The regular season is just a formality for Manning and the Colts as they try to atone for many playoff disappointments.

TENNESSEE 9-7

Best in the league

Chris Johnson is the most exciting player in the league and says he's going for Dickerson's record again this year. Despite his confidence, CJ won't rush for 2000 yards again, but it won't be for lack of effort. Tennessee knows CJ and the running game is its money-maker but it also knows Vince Young must be effective and consistent all year in order for the Titans to contend for a playoff spot.

The Titans could have made the playoffs last year if they hadn't went back to Kerry Collins for six ill-fated games to start the season. They dug themselves out of an 0-6 hole to finish a respectable 8-8, losing only to Indianapolis and San Diego in the final 10 games.

Teams will scheme on trying to contain Johnson, no easy task, and demand Young beat them with quick decisions and accuracy. Young continues to improve and is poised to have a productive year as the full-time starter. He's put some off-the-field issues behind him and looks ready to lead the Titans to the playoffs, as he did in 2007.

Defensively, Tennessee struggled to start the year and its problems culminated in Week 6 with a 59-0 loss to New England. The line loses KyleVanden Bosch to Detroit but Tennessee is known for producing defensive linemen capable of performing well.

The playoffs are well within reach for Tennessee. Young's execution, Johnson's health and a consistent defense will be necessary for a postseason run.

HOUSTON 8-8

Will just miss playoffs again

The Texans have been trying to get over the hump for the past three years and still haven't been able to crack into the postseason. Matt Schuab established himself as a quarterback who can put up numbers but hasn't proven himself as a leader of a playoff team.

Schuab and Andre Johnson proved to be an elite combo, leading Houston to the league's No. 1 passing offense. However, its running game was a disappointment, ranking 30th in the league and averaging only 3.5 yards per carry. Second-year RB Arian Foster looks to break out this season after ending last year strong and producing in the preseason.

The defense will deal with the loss of CB Dunta Robinson to Atlanta and LB Brian Cushing to a four-game suspension. Mario Williams will continue to add to his sack numbers. He's impressive rushing off the end.

Houston will have a decent team but will continue to struggle in its own division. The Colts have won 15 of the last 16 meetings against them and they open against each other in Houston. The Jags were able to get two from them last year and the Titans always get one from them. It's still not time to see Houston in the playoffs.

JACKSONVILLE 7-9

Del Rio needs wins to stay

A very tough team to figure out over the last few years. Jack Del Rio will have them playing as hard-nosed and gritty as any in the league but, unfortunately, toughness and grit alone don't result in wins. And at times last year, Del Rio's message wasn't surfacing at all. (example: The 41-0 loss at Seattle and 35-7 loss at New England were embarrassing.) Del Rio's time in Jacksonville could be coming to an end if he can't get the Jags going in the right direction.

David Garrard has consistently went downhill after his 2007 breakout year. His starting days are on thin ice, and he and Del Rio could share the same fate if things don't improve this year. Maurice Jones-Drew is one of the fiercest backs in the league and can produce running and catching the ball, but he's dealing with a leg injury in the preseason that could linger.

The Jags were last in the league with only 14 sacks last year, making it very tough on the secondary. They added two young pieces to the defensive line in the draft, as well as Aaron Kampman through free agency.

The Jags are young and were hit hard last year with injuries. They scrap and claw but it hasn't been enough to get the job done of late. Despite their efforts and attitude, they will have their hands full to stay out of the bottom of the division. Del Rio will be coaching for his job all year.