AFC South Week 3 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

HOUSTON TEXANS (2-0)

Houston TexansNew England Patriots

Houston Texans @ New England Patriots

The Disadvantage:

The Texans are playing at Gillette Stadium.

Rob Gronkowski is now likely to play.

The Patriots will attempt to take advantage of the ground game.  The Texans defense are currently just ranked 12th in the league against the run, allowing 192 total rush yards in the first two weeks.   Good thing the Patriots have a work horse in running back LaGarrett Blount, who had 29 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown in week 2 against the Miami Dolphins.

LaGarette Blount - BostonHerald.com Photo

LaGarette Blount – BostonHerald.com Photo

The Advantage:

Quarterback Tom Brady will be serving the 3rd game of his 4 game suspension.

Jimmy Garoppolo suffered a sprained AC joint in his right shoulder.  Although the Patriots are hopeful that Garoppolo will suit up for Thursday’s Night game, as for now, rookie Jacoby Brissett will start.  Brissett finished week 2 against the Miami Dolphins after Garoppolo was taken off the field towards the end of the second quarter.

In week 2, Brissett completed 6-of-9 passes for 92 yards, no touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

Who is Jacoby Brissett?

Hometown: West Palm beach, Florida

Age: December 11, 1992 (23)

High School: Palm Beach Gardens Dwyer HS Florida

Height: 6-feet-4-inches

Weight: 231 lbs

Hand Size: 9 & ¾ inches

Mother: Ellicia Brown

Brissett grew up in a single family home and has 3 siblings.

College: University of Florida (2-years)/ transferred into North Carolina State

Brissett was drafted in the 3rd round (91st pick overall) in the 2016 NFL draft

Brissett never hired an agent.

Brissett prefers the quiet. On game day, he gets up early at the team hotel and takes a walk with one of the operations people.  He spends a lot of time by himself in his room in the dark, where he counts tiles on the ceiling or thinks about his family.  He likes putting on “massage” music or working his way through “The Office” on Netflix for the sixth time to stay relaxed.

 

Jacoby Brissett - Getty Images

Jacoby Brissett – Getty Images

In week 2, the Patriots offense stalled after Brissett came into the game, playing a little more conservatively – the Patriots drives ended in a field goal, a missed field goal, 3 punts, and a rushing touchdown by Blount.  The offense did get some yards, but it might be a little harder against the Texans defense.

The Texans defense have allowed the 3rd fewest passing yards this season (357 total) and the most sacks in the league with 9, adding an interception and 3 fumble recoveries.

Julian Edelman will be the back-up quarterback to Brissett on Sunday against the Texans.  Edelman was a quarterback for Kent State, but switched to the wide receiver position in the NFL.  Edelman had thrown one pass in the NFL, a trick play 51- yard touchdown to Danny Amendola.

Julian Edelman

Julian Edelman

What we can expect in WEEK 3:

  • The Texans defense have an interception/fumble for a touchdown.
  • LaGarrett Blount has a touchdown.
  • Will Fuller has a touchdown.
  • DeAndre Hopkins has a touchdown.

The Houston Texans win, going 3-0.

TENNESSEE TITANS (1-1)

Oakland RaidersTennessee Titans

Oakland Raiders @ Tennessee Titans

Defense verses offense?  It seems to be the theme behind most of the match-ups this season.  And this Sunday isn’t any different.  I don’t think anyone would dispute that the Oakland Raiders offense has been better than the Titans offense.  And on the other side of the ball, the Titans defense stopped Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions, allowing only 15 points in week 2, allowing the defense to execute a come from behind win.  In comparison, the Raiders defense, in week 2, allowed the Atlanta Falcons score 35 points.

Will the Raiders be able to hack the Titans defense?

The Titans defense isn’t invincible.  The Minnesota Vikings scored 25-points with quarterback Shaun Hill.  Unfortunately for the Raiders, they’ve only allowed one offensive touchdown this season.

Sunday’s game will be the ultimate test for the Titans defense.  The Titans have allowed the 13th least offensive yards, but the Raiders currently lead the league in offensive yards with 618 total passing yards and 322 total rushing yards.

And there is no sign of slowing down for 3rd year veteran quarterback Derek Carr, who has thrown for 4 touchdowns, 2 two-point conversions and 0 interceptions.  As for his receiving core, wide receiver Amari Cooper is averaging 18.9 yards per catch over 11 receptions.

The Raiders pose a threat down field, but the Titans should be expecting it.

Will the Titans offense out-play the Raiders defense?

Currently Marcus Mariota is ranked 20th in passing yards, with 4 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.  Delanie Walker is Mariota’s go-to target down field, averaging 13.9 yards per catch.  Unfortunately, if you watch the tape, everyone knows Walker is the deep threat the Titans favor.

Hey Mariota, you have a wide receiving core with Rishard Matthews, rookie Tajae Sharpe and Andre Johnson.  Time to diversify.

The Titans offense will be missing guard Chance Warmack, who tore a tendon in his right middle finger Sunday.  Warmack might need to undergo surgery and could miss 2-4 months.

Luckily for the Titans, the Raiders will be the worst defense the Titans have played this season so far.  The Raiders have allowed the most passing yards in the league (517.5), and are among the bottom 1/3 for allowed rushing yards (227).

What we can expect in WEEK 3:

  • Rishard Matthews has a touchdown.
  • Delanie Walker has a touchdown.

The Oakland Raiders win.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-2)

san-diego-chargersIndianapolis Colts

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts

On Sunday, we are looking at two potential power offenses.

San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers has been on fire in 2016.  The offense has been red hot right out of the gate, striking first and striking hard.  Unlike week 1, the Chargers made certain they wouldn’t lose their lead in week 2.  Of course, the Jacksonville Jaguars helped with 14 penalties for 93 yards.

The Indianapolis Colts have started the last two weeks a little confused.  In week 1, the offense looked strong, scoring 35 points against the Detroit Lions, and the defense crumbled, allowing 39 points.  In week 2, the offense struggled (of course it was against the Denver Broncos defense), but the defense looked better with an interception, holding the Broncos to no passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.

Which Colts team will show up on Sunday?  Who knows.  They will have home field advantage.  Plus, the Chargers are dealing with week 2 injuries to Danny Woodhead (RB), Kelvin Beachum (offensive lineman), and Jahleel Addae (safety).  With the Chargers weak secondary, if the Colts want any chance of winning, Luck will have to be precise in the air.  Currently, the Chargers have the 4th worst defense against the pass, allowing 649 yards, and have allowed the 7th fewest rushing yards.

As for the Chargers, the ground game will be important.  The Chargers currently have the 3rd most rushing yards, while the Colts have the fourth worst defense against the rush, allowing 250 yards.  But if the Chargers want to carry the momentum of week 2 win, they will need to up their passing game.  Currently, the Chargers have the 8th fewest passing yards in the season.  Luckily for the Chargers, the Colts have the 8th worst defense against the pass, allowing 598 yards, thus far.

This game will definitely come down to penalties, mistakes, and the offense of each team.

What we can expect in WEEK 3:

  • The San Diego Chargers are dealing with a lot of injuries and playing at Indianapolis.  The Indianapolis Colts don’t want to start the season 0-3.  This game will be all offense.

The Indianapolis Colts win.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (0-2)

Baltimore RavensJacksonville Jaguars

Baltimore Ravens @ Jacksonville Jaguars

After seeing the Green Bay Packers in week 2 on Sunday Night against the Minnesota Vikings, it would be logical to conclude that, in week 1, the Jacksonville Jaguars weren’t actually that good as the Packers were actually particularly bad.

In week 3, the Jaguars face-off against the 2-0 Baltimore Ravens.

What the Jacksonville Jaguars offense will be facing in week 3:

The Baltimore defense has allowed the fewest passing yards with 337 yards this season, and allowed 210 rushing yards, placing them in the middle of the league.

The Jaguars’ passing game has been their strength.  Quarterback Blake Bortles has the fifth most passing yards in the league this year with 649 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions.  In week 2, the San Diego Chargers were able to shut down the Jaguars passing game, making the wide receiver duo of Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns a non-factor.  The Jaguars did score two passing touchdowns in the fourth quarter (not to Robinson or Hurns), but the game was already out of reach.

Baltimore cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Shareece Wright are looking to do the same thing by breaking-up the Jaguars passing game.

In the ground game, the Jaguars have the 3rd least rushing yards in the league with 117 yards.  With Chris Ivory injured (thought potentially returning this week), running back T.J. Yeldon has been left holding the load (and he hasn’t been very successful).  But with the Ravens mediocre run defense, the Jaguars might be able to get some traction in the run game.

What the Jacksonville Jaguars defense will be facing in week 3:

The Jaguars have allowed 406 total passing yards, the 8th fewest passing yards in the league, and 245 total rushing yards, the 6th most rushing yards allowed.

The Ravens offense fall in the middle of the league in passing yards, 527, and rushing yards, 163.

The Ravens are probably looking to exploit the Jaguars weak rush defense.  This could be a big week for Justin Forsett in rush yards and as a passing back.  It worked for the San Diego Chargers and there’s no reason that won’t work for the Ravens.

Week 2 was a disappointing loss for the Jaguars.  Bortles looked discombobulated and frustrated, making mistakes that he hasn’t made since his rookie year.  If the Jaguars are able to stay focused, avoid penalties, and mistakes, a win at home is possible.  The Jaguars were their own worst enemy in week 2.  They will need to forget and look ahead to remainder of the season.

What we can expect in WEEK 3:

  • The Jacksonville Jaguars are held to 2 passing touchdowns.

The Jacksonville Jaguars win.

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