AFC South Week 13 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS (6-5)

Houston TexansGreen Bay Packers

Houston Texans @ Green Bay Packers

In week 12, The Houston Texans has a second straight loss.  In week 13, the Texans are headed to Lambo Field to face the Green Bay Packers.  The Packers, on the other hand, are hoping to build on a week 12 win against the Philadelphia Eagles, which ended a 4-game losing streak.

Currently, the Texans are in first place in the AFC South, but a loss to the Packers in week 13 and an Indianapolis Colts win over the New York Jets could mean a 3-way-tie for first place with the Tennessee Titans, who are on bye.

The Texans enter week 13 at a disadvantage, seeing as how the Texans are only 1-4 with away games, plus an away game at Lambo is even more challenging.

Brock Osweiler vs. Aaron Rodgers

A quarterback shouldn’t be a disadvantage.  But comparatively, playing against Aaron Rodgers is a disadvantage.  On the other side, Brock Osweiler has thrown more interceptions (13) than touchdowns (12).  And while the Packers might be 5-6, Rodgers has 27 touchdowns and 7 interceptions for the season, also rushing for 285 rush yards with 3-rushing touchdowns.  Regardless, there is still some hope for the Texans.

Rodgers has been limited in practice due to a hamstring injury, and is questionable for Sunday’s game.  It’s more probable than not that Rodgers will start Sunday.  And although his throwing arm is still 100%, Rogers will likely be less mobile.  The Texans defense facing an offensive front line that has allowed 24 sacks might have a little easier time with a less mobile, and one year older, Rodgers behind center.

Lamar Miller vs. ?

Texans running back, Lamar Miller, has been a valuable asset for this offense.  The Packers defense is 7th defending the run, allowing 90.2 rushing yards per game.  During the season, Miller has had 881 rush yards and 3 touchdowns.  However, in week 12, Miller had trouble with only 57 rush yards against the San Diego defense.  San Diego currently is 6th defending the run, allowing 89.8 rushing yards per game.  The Texans offensive line will need to open up some running lanes and hope Miller can ground and pound if they want any chance at a win.

The Packers have had a hard time with the run game.  Since the absence of Eddy Lacy, Aaron Rodgers has been relying on his legs to move the ball on the ground when opportunity arises.  With a less mobile Rodgers, he’ll need to rely on James Starks, who’s only had 141 rushing yards this season, and recently acquired, Christine Michaels.  While with the Seattle Seahawks, Michaels had 469 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, but fell out of favor with some poor performances mid-season.

The Texans defense are 19th against the run, allowing 107.5 yards per game.  So whoever is in the back field, the Texans will need to make certain they don’t get to far.

What can we expect in Week 13?

  • Randall Cobb gets a touchdown.
  • C.J. Fiedorowicz gets a touchdown.

The Green Bay Packers win.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-6)

Indianapolis ColtsNew York Jets

Indianapolis Colts @ New York Jets

In week 12, Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck was out due to concussion and back-up quarterback Scott Tolzien was in.  Notably, Tolzien threw his first NFL touchdown to wide-receiver Dontae Moncrief, adding 205 passing yards, 2-interceptions and being sacked 3 times.

In week 13, thankfully for the Colts, Luck will return to the field, since without him, the Colts were looking at another tough week.

T.Y. Hilton understood the work they had to do in week 13, and said that the receivers need to step up against the New York Jets to win the game.

The Jets defense loves the blitz and have the 4th-ranked rush defense.  This means, in part, more single coverage for Colts receivers to contend with downfield.

The Colts are still in contention for the postseason, which means little the way they’ve been playing this year.  Missed plays and key dropped passes have put this team 3rd in the AFC South.  In week 12, key drops by wide receivers T.Y. Hilton, Philip Dorsett and Dontae Moncrief proved costly to their loss, not to mention a mediocre run game and a crumbling offensive line.

The good news for the Colts defense is that a list of injuries have made this Jets team a little less dangerous.  Receiver Brandon Marshall is among 5 starters who didn’t practice on Thursday.  Also out were safety Calvin Pryor (concussion), right tackle Breno Giacomini (back), linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin (ankle), receiver Jalin Marshall (knee) and defensive tackle Steve McLendon (hamstring).  Luckily for the Jets, Marshall managed to put in a full practice on Saturday, and will play.

The bad news is that regardless of who is out for the Jets, none of it will probably prevent the Jets from scoring.  The Colts have one of the worst defenses in the league this year, allowing 278.7 passing yards per game (ranked 31st) and 116.6 rushing yards per game (ranked 24th).

If they can’t get it done on offense, there will be little hope in getting to the postseason.

What can we expect in Week 13?

  • Dontae Moncrief gets a touchdown.
  • Matt Forte gets a touchdown

The Colts win on the road.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-9)

Denver Broncos LogoJacksonville Jaguars

Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars

In week 12, the Denver Broncos lost to the division rival Kansas City Chiefs, leaving them 3rd in the AFC West.  Quarterback, Trevor Siemian, also suffered a left foot sprain, leaving rookie back-up quarterback, Paxton Lynch, to start against the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Jacksonville Jaguars are on a 6-game losing streak…do I need to say anything more?

Do the Jacksonville Jaguars have a chance in hell against the Denver Broncos defense?

I said it before, and I’ll say it again, anything is possible.

  • The Jaguars offensive line needs to step-up.

The Broncos might have lost their quarterback, but they still have a defense.  The Jaguars quarterback, Blake Bortles, has been sacked 23 times this season.  Not the most, but certainly not the least.  The Broncos defense leads the league in sacks (35) and has 10 interceptions, 9 forced fumbles and 3 defensive touchdowns.  Yeah, the defense can score too.

  • Whatever the Jaguars did in week 12, they need more of it.

Bortles had one of his best games of the season, even though they lost to the Buffalo Bills.  After Bortles threw a pick-six in back-to-back weeks, Bortles managed to avoid throwing any interceptions or fumble the ball in week 12, totaling two passing touchdowns and rushing for 81 yards.  In addition, Chris Ivory came alive with 44 rushing yards and a touchdown of his own.

Did I mention that the Broncos defense are 1st defending the pass, allowing only 193.9 yards per game?

  • The Jaguars need to learn to run.

The Broncos are 27th defending the run, allowing 120 yards per game.  Even though the Jaguars managed 183 rushing yards and a touchdown in week 12, the Jaguars still have one of the worst run games in the league, having only 4 rushing touchdowns all season.  Hopefully, they can add to that total after Sunday’s game.

  • The Jaguars need to play better.

At this point in the season, it’s not about winning it’s just about playing better.

What can we expect in Week 13?

  • Marquise Lee gets a touchdown.
  • The Denver defense gets a touchdown.

The Denver Broncos win.

TENNESSEE TITANS (6-6)

Tennessee Titans

BYE-WEEK

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