AFC South Predictions 2007

Indianapolis Colts - 14-2

Schedule

1. W - New Orleans
2. W - at Tennessee
3. W - at Houston
4. W - Denver
5. W - Tampa Bay
6. bye
7. L - at Jacksonville
8. L - at Carolina
9. W - New England
10. W - at San Diego
11. W - Kansas City
12. W - at Atlanta
13. W - Jacksonville
14. W - at Baltimore
15. W - at Oakland
16. W - Houston
17. W - Tennessee

The Colts may not go 14-2, they'll probably lose a game or two that they shouldn't, but I feel utterly confident that they will win at least 12. Their offense is just that good, and their defense will be just good enough.

The one player I worry about is Joseph Addai. The Colts do not have any other half backs on their team with a single NFL carry. Addai has never had to carry the entire load himself, amateur or pro. How will his legs feel week 16 and 17 when he's around 350 carries and another couple dozen touches from the pass?

Houston Texans - 10-6 - Wild Card

Schedule

1. W - Kansas City
2. W - at Carolina
3. L - Indianapolis
4. W - at Atlanta
5. W - Miami
6. W - at Jacksonville
7. L - Tennessee
8. W - at San Diego
9. L - at Oakland
10. bye
11. L - New Orleans
12. W - at Cleveland
13. W - at Tennessee
14. W - Tampa Bay
15. L - Denver
16. L - at Indianapolis
17. W - Jacksonville

The Texans are my sleeper pick of the 2007. The have a new running back, new quarterback, some new receiving weapons and most importantly, the offensive line has a year of experience in Gary Kubiak's zone blocking scheme. I'm not saying the offensive line will dominate, but hopefully they can keep Matt Schaub alive.

I also like the defensive talent that the Texans have quietly collected. They have a few former first round picks in there, and it's about time they start performing. Look for DeMeco Ryans to lead this defense and develop into a star. I would be cautious with current first round pick Amobi Okoye. Defensive tackles rarely dominate their first year, and take a few seasons to develop.

Jacksonville Jaguars - 8-8

Schedule

1. W - Tennessee
2. W - Atlanta
3. L - at Denver
4. bye
5. W - at Kansas City
6. L - Houston
7. W - Indianapolis
8. L - at Tampa Bay
9. W - at New Orleans
10. L - at Tennessee
11. W - San Diego
12. W - Buffalo
13. L - at Indianapolis
14. L - Carolina
15. L - at Pittsburgh
16. W - Oakland
17. L - at Houston

Thanks to a weak schedule, the Jaguars were starting to grow on me. But then they ditched their Byron Leftwich in favor of David Garrard at quarterback. Nothing against Garrard, but this is just a sign of an organization that does not have it together. Actually, I take that back, there are many things against Garrard. I think he proved last season that he is not the answer at quarterback.

A week collection of former high draft picks at wide receiver will not help Garrard succeed either. Except quite a few dump offs to Maurice Jones-Drew. Thankfully for the Jaguars, Jones-Drew can turn a few of the dump offs into big plays.

The Jacksonville defense will be solid, but just not dominant enough to carry this team. The depth is also lacking. Expect the defense to shut down a few teams, but the better offenses will be able to exploit the weaknesses in Jacksonville's secondary, and they just don't have the pass rush to compensate.

Tennessee Titans - 7-9

Schedule

1. L - at Jacksonville
2. L - Indianapolis
3. L - at New Orleans
4. bye
5. W - Atlanta
6. L - at Tampa Bay
7. W - at Houston
8. L - Oakland
9. W - Carolina
10. W - Jacksonville
11. L - at Denver
12. W - at Cincinnati
13. L - Houston
14. W - San Diego
15. L - at Kansas City
16. W - NY Jets
17. L - at Indianapolis

After a great second half run last season, the Titans were looking prime for a breakout season this year. There were a few hitches along the way. Pacman Jones, by far their best defender, and arguably best overall player was suspended for the year for various arrests. The organization also listened to the Vince "He just wins games" Young hype a little too much and decided that he really could win games all by himself, so they let his starting running back and both starting receivers walk.

Speaking of Young, he decided that he could mess with the football gods and got himself on the cover of Madden 2008. Bigger stars have fallen to the Madden Curse...

Read more of my picks by watching the NFL Predictions 2007 tag.

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	AFC West Predictions 2007	Adam Hobson	Sat Sep 8	6
	NFC South Predictions 2007	Adam Hobson	Sun Sep 9	0