AFC South Preview and Predictions: Week 9

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  AFC South

Do you remember the days when Peyton Manning was the starting quarterback for the Indianapolis Colts?  It was four years ago.  Barack Obama was in his first term.  Wall Street was occupied by protesters.  Steve Jobs passed away and the iPhone 4s was released 9 days later.  The world’s first synthetic organ transplant was successfully completed in Sweden.  Ricard Branson opened the first commercial spaceport in the United States.  The Royal Wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William took place.

In 2015, Andrew Luck is the starting quarterback for the Colts.  There has been two theatrical movies versions about Steve Job’s life and were at the iPhone 6s (iPhone 7 coming soon).  Kate Middleton and Prince William now have two children.  And, Canadians showed the true meaning of humanitarianism by commemorating a fallen raccoon when the city decided to ignore the poor thing.

@311Toronto It’s now after 3 pm and I guess Animal Services hasn’t been by, because someone’s having some fun now: pic.twitter.com/ff0ybbm5cX

— Jason Wagar (@jasonwagar) July 9, 2015

Yes, a lot has changed in the world…but one thing is for certain.  The AFC South will rise again, maybe not week 9 (or 2015), but one day in the future, unlike poor Conrad the Raccoon.

Indianapolis Colts

Denver Broncos (7-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (3-4)

No one expected the Broncos to defeat the Green Bay Packers in week 8, but they did.  No one thought that Andrew Luck would be so inconsistent, but he is.  No one could have predicted the Broncos would be 7-0.  And that the Colts could potentially make the post-season at 6-10.  But, that is the world of the AFC division.

In the 2014 season, the Broncos lost to the Colts in the AFC divisional playoffs.  But week 9 of the 2015 season might not end the same way.  The comeback-from-behind team of late will have difficulty against the dominant Broncos defense who leads the league in least points allowed per game, least yards allowed per game and sacks.  In week 8, Peyton Manning demonstrated that the 2015 Broncos weren’t just a defensive team, but that the offense could contribute their 7-0 record.

What does this mean?

• Since the Colts have demonstrated the ability to rally in the fourth quarter, which makes sense because defenses get tired, expect the game to be within 7 points.
• Expect Broncos Win.
• Expect Luck to have 2 passing TDs.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-5) @ New York Jets (4-3)

The Jaguars are coming off a bye week, hopefully well rested and prepared to face the Jets in New York.  The Jets are coming off a hard loss against the Oakland Raiders, while the Jaguars are coming off a break and an international win against the Buffalo Bills.

The Jets are coming off a two week losing streak.  One of the losses were to the New England Patriots.  In week 9, Ryan Fitzpatrick will be back playing quarterback, joined by Eric Decker (knee), but Brandon Marshall (toe/ankle) is questionable, with Bowles stating that Marshall will be a game-time decision.

The Jets have a strong secondary, an aggressive defense and a surprising offense, but recent history demonstrated that they’re not impossible to defeat…come on… they’re not the Patriots or the Broncos.  As I mentioned before, winning is a combination of an effective defense limiting scoring chances and an offense scoring more than the opposing team.  Bortles has had eight interceptions in seven games, three of which have been picked off for a touchdown, something he’ll need to avoid to stay ahead of the Jets.  And, if the Jaguars defense is unable to hold Fitzpatrick and the Jets offense, Bortles will need to score…score…score.

What does this mean?

• In week 7, the Jaguars lost an early lead, but was able to secure the win with a late fourth quarter touchdown – finishing the game is something the Jaguars had difficulty with in previous weeks.  A Jets defeat in week 9 won’t be easy, but it can be done.
• Expect the Jaguars to win.
• Fitzpatrick (thumb issues) leaves the game and Geno Smith steps in.
• Allen Hurns get 100+ receiving yards.
• Julius Thomas gets a TD.
• The Jaguars defense get an interception/fumble for a touchdown.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans (1-6) @ New Orleans Saints (4-4)

With Ken Whisenhunt fired, Mike Mularkey at the helm and Marcus Mariota back in the quarterback position, the Titans are looking to break their six-game losing streak.  The Titans will need more than a change in coaching staff to overcome this feat.  Kendall Wright, the Titans biggest receiving target is out in week 9.  That will leave Mariota looking for his tight-end, Delanie Walker, and rookie wide-receiver Dorial Green-Beckham.

Unfortunately, the Titans downward spiral won’t be easily reversed in week 9.

Drew Brees and the Saints have been looking better and better with each passing week.  In week 9, the two teams face off in the Superdome.  The Saints are coming off a 3-win streak, and flying high off the fumes of victory.  7 TD’s and 505 passing yards…okay so what if Brees had two interceptions.

What does this mean?

• Expect the Titans to lose by at least 10.
• Expect Mariota to have two TDs – one of them thrown to rookie receiver Green-Beckham.
• Don’t expect Brees to put up 7 TDs.