AFC South Week 7 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

HOUSTON TEXANS (4-2)

Houston Texans @ Denver Broncos

See AFC WEST Preview and Predictions.

TENNESSEE TITANS (3-3) & INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-4)

Indianapolis Colts @ Tennessee Titans

Week 6 was a tough loss for the Indianapolis Colts against the division rival Houston Texans, placing the team in a 2-game deficit for first place.  The Colts face another division team in week 7, the Tennessee Titans, and find themselves in a must win situation once again if they don’t want to slip any further down the AFC South standings.

The Titans are coming off a two-game win streak.  Have they found their rhythm?   The last time the Titans won against the Indianapolis Colts was in 2011, when the Colts finished 2-14 for the season, prior to drafting Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL draft.

Unfortunately, the Colts defense is ranked 25th against the rush and 29th against the pass, while the Titans are 7th against the rush and the 10th against the pass.

The improved offensive line has finally seemed to click, giving running back DeMarco Murray a second opportunity to dominate on the ground and has given quarterback Marcus Mariota the protection he needs, being sacked only twice and intercepted once in the last two weeks.

The Colts will be playing at Tennessee, which will be their first challenge.  The Colts won’t want another loss, but the Titans are running hot.

What can we expect in Week 7?

• Philip Dorsett has a touchdown.
• Rishard Matthews has a touchdown.
• DeMarco Murray gets a touchdown.
• The Titans defense gets a touchdown.

The Tennessee Titans win.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-3)

Oakland Raiders @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars are entering week 7 on a 2-game win streak, while the Oakland Raiders are coming off a tough beat by the Kansas City Chiefs.

However, while the Raiders are tied for first place with the Denver Broncos in the AFC West, the Jaguars sit in last place in the AFC South.

In week 7, these two quarterbacks should be very familiar with each other.  Both were drafted in 2014, Jaguars quarterback, Blake Bortles was drafted 3rd overall and Raiders quarterback, Derek Carr, was drafted 36th overall.  Both have greatly improved their team, but only one will end week 7 with a win.

What the Oakland Raiders need to do:

• The Raiders defense has been dismal.  The defense has allowed the most passing yards per game, 312.7, and have allowed the 3rd most rushing yards, 132.2.  If the Raiders defense can’t stop the Jaguars, the Raiders offense will need to score…a lot.  Carr is tied for most total passing touchdowns, 12, with only 3 interceptions.  With the duo of Amari Cooper and Micheal Crabtree, Carr definitely has options.
• No run game puts the Raiders at a disadvantage.  The Raiders have lost a lot of opportunity without a run game.  The Kansas City Chiefs held the Raiders to 64 rushing yards.  The San Diego Chargers held the Raiders to 89 rushing yards.  With Raiders running back, Latavius Murray, likely out, or at least limited, for Sunday’s game, Oakland will need to find a way to create some running room.
• The Raiders defense needs to box out Allen Robinson.  If the Raiders can take away Bortles’ most valuable weapon, Bortles will need to scramble to his 2nd and 3rd options, with which he hasn’t shown much proficiency.

What the Jacksonville Jaguars need to do:

• The Raiders offense can certainly be stopped.  The Chiefs proved that in week 6.  The Jaguars have vastly revamped their defense this season by adding cornerback, Jalen Ramsey, and Yannick Ngakoue, who totaled 4 sacks and an interception this season.
• Blake Bortles needs to remain focused.  With one of the best wide receiving sets, Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, a solid tight end, Julius Thomas, Bortles needs to connect with his offense.  Luckily for the Jaguars, their run game has vastly improved with the addition of Chris Ivory.

What can we expect in Week 7?

• Derek Carr has a touchdown.
• Chris Ivory has 2 touchdown.

Oakland wins.