AFC South Preview and Predictions: Week 12

November 28, 2015

Twitter: @kongfu4u AFC South

Indianapolis Colts

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

The Colts are starting off on the right foot after losing Andrew Luck…again. Matt Hasselbeck won his third game for the Colts this season, and is hoping for a fourth this Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but it won’t be easy.

Matt Hasselbeck – Getty Images

Hasselbeck was able to rally against the Atlanta Falcons, snatching victory in week 11. The Buccaneers also pulled out a win against the Falcons in week 8 in overtime. Although there’s no denying the Buccaneers are running hot, neither team appears to have a clear advantage. But the Colts have some work ahead of them, in particular with their receivers. T.Y. Hilton has been hit or miss, having only 3 touchdowns this season and totaling only 118 receiving yards and no touchdowns in the last three weeks. Donte Moncrief, who has 5 touchdowns earlier this season, has only totaled 89 receiving yards and no touchdowns in the last three games. Hasselbeck will need to connect with his receivers and not just rely on the ground game. In addition, the Colts defense is among the worst against the pass this season, allowing 278.9 yards per game and 19 passing touchdowns. And the Colts rush defense has been mediocre this season allowing 113.4 yards per game and 9 rushing touchdowns. We’ve seen Winston throw and run the ball into the endzone with four touchdowns this season, so the Colts will have their hands full.

The Buccaneers have been successful against back-up quarterbacks this season, winning back-to-back wins for the first time this season against the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles in week 11. Jameis Winston is coming off his best game this season, throwing 5 touchdowns against the Eagles defense. Of course, the Eagles are the 30th ranked defense in the league and Matthew Stafford also threw for 5 touchdowns against the Eagles during the week 12 Thursday game. Regardless, it’s clear Winston is becoming more comfortable with the offense and will continue to make positive strides.

What does this mean?

Expect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to win.
Expect a high scoring game (the Over/Under is 46, take the Over).
Expect Jameis Winston to be intercepted by the Colts defense.

Houston Texans

New Orleans Saints (4-6) @Houston Texans (5-5)

Like the Indianapolis Colts, this is a must win game for the Texans if they want any chance at the post season.

We thought that T.J. Yates might get another start after the 24-17 win against the Jets. But Brian Hoyer has been cleared to play this week and will start. Either way, either QB should have a good matchup as the Texans look to extend their three game win streak against the New Orleans Saints.

Brian Hoyer

The Saints are coming off a bye week after a miserable loss to the Washington Redskins (14-47). Whether they were able to resolve their issues over the bye-week is yet to be determined. The Saints fired their defensive coordinator Rob Ryan after the loss in week 10. The Saints currently are the worse defense in the league, allowing 31.5 points per game.

If the Texans defense of week 11 show up against the Saints, they should comfortably contain Brees and the Saints offense, giving the Texans offense an opportunity to score. The Texans should be able to move the ball comfortably down field into the redzone. DeAndre Hopkins was able to burn Revis Island in week 11, and should be able to do the same at the much less intimidating Saints defense. And if not, Hoyer still have the finally healthy Cecil Shorts III and Nate Washington. Expect the Texans offense to show no mercy and take advantage of the holes in the Saints defense.

What does this mean?

The Texans win.
Hoyer throws two touchdowns.
The Texans defense has a touchdown.

Jacksonville Jaguars

San Diego Chargers (2-8) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6)

Like every team in the AFC South, the Jaguars are still in the hunt for the post-season.

After two close wins, Blake Bortles still has plenty of work to do before he can qualify as a winning quarterback. Bortles has thrown 12 interceptions and fumbled the ball three times this season, making inaccurate throws and questionable decisions in the pocket. Those mistakes can’t be made in Sunday’s game. The Chargers defense has 8 interceptions, four which have led to a defensive touchdown. Don’t get me wrong, Bortles has shown a lot of improvement this season, throwing for 2623 passing yards and 20 touchdowns so far. He’s connecting with his receivers Allen Robinson and Allen Hurns, both who total 7 touchdowns this season, and has become the leader the team needs. With the offense rolling, the Jaguars have overcome their fourth quarter losses, which plagued them earlier this season.

Blake Bortles

And on the other side of the ball, the Jaguars defense has 32 sacks, 12 interceptions, 3 interceptions for a touchdown and 1 fumble for a touchdown padding their stats, as well as allowing only 94.7 rushing yards per game. However, the defense has also allowed 262.6 passing yards and 26.8 points per game. Fortunately for the Jaguars, the Chargers offense has slowly been falling apart, suffering significantly from injury, although Antonio Gates (TE), Ladarius Green (TE) and Malcom Floyd (WR) are said to be probable for Sunday’s game.

The Chargers lax defense, allowing 247.5 passing yards, 125.9 rushing yards and 28.2 points allowed per game should assist the Jaguars on Sunday.

What does this mean?

Expect a close game.
Expect the Jaguars to win.
Expect Bortles to throw 3 touchdowns.
Expect a defensive touchdown from at least one team.

Tennessee Titans

Oakland Raiders (4-6) @ Tennessee Titans (2-8)

The Titans have yet to win a game at home this season, and are currently on a two-week losing streak. Being three games away from tying first place and having only six weeks before the end of the regular season, the Titans have little chance in making the post-season.

Although the Titans have a 2-8 record, they have been strong defensively with 33 sacks, 9 interceptions in which 2 interceptions were defensive touchdowns, 14 forced fumbles and 11 fumble recovery, so expect Derek Carr to have another tough game ahead of him. The Raiders have cooled off, currently on a three-game losing streak. High profile players like Amari Cooper, Micheal Crabtree and Latavius Murray, who’s put up big numbers in the beginning of the season had become stale in the past few weeks. Carr is still working with the same skilled players, now if they are able to get something going.

Marcus Mariota

The Titans are in no better position. Marcus Mariota has been learning and improving in his rookie year with 2026 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Players like Delanie Walker and Antonio Andrews have filled some of the gaps in the Titans offense. And, facing a Raiders defense that has allowed 290.5 passing yards and 114 rushing yard may be advantageous for the Titans. The Raiders defense has 13 sacks, 7 interceptions where 1 interception was a defensive touchdown, caused 14 forced fumbles in which 8 has been recovered by Oakland.

What does this mean?