AFC South Review: Week 11

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

Indianapolis Colts (24) @ Atlanta Falcons (21)

Who says football is all skill and no luck?  And I’m talking about Andrew Luck.  Although, no one ever wishes a player get injured, it is what ultimately lead to the Colts win.

The Falcons had a 6-point spread over the Colts entering the game.  The Atlanta Falcons 13^th ranked defense was facing the Indianapolis Colts 26^th ranked defense and Andrew Luck was out of the game with a lacerated liver.  So, how did the Colts pull out a win?  The game changer was the hole left by running back Devonta Freeman leaving in the first quarter of the game with a concussion after only seeing three carries.  Freeman’s replacement, Tevin Coleman, wasn’t as successful with 17 carries for 48 yards.  The Falcons were held to only 100 rushing yards, 0 rushing touchdowns and a missed field goal by Matt Bryant that could have tied the game.

Of course, credit has to be given to Matt Hasselbeck, who has now won all 3 the games he started and 3 out of the 5 games the Colts have won this season.  Hasselbeck finished the game with 213 passing yards, 2 TD’s, 2 interceptions and being sacked twice.  The much maligned Indianapolis defense also stepped up with a sack and 3 interceptions, one of which lead to a defensive touchdown.

The game might not be as dynamic without Andrew Luck, but a win is a win, and Luck might not be so missed if Hasselbeck continues to lead the Colts in wins.

Houston Texans (5-5)

New York Jets (17) @ Houston Texans (24)

In 2011, Taylor Jonathan “T.J.” Yates was drafted by the Texans in the fifth round.  Yates made his rookie debut in November 2011, against the Jacksonville Jaguars when Matt Leinart left the game with a collarbone injury.  In 2014, Yates was traded to and released by the Atlanta Falcons before the 2015 season.  Unsigned, Yates was asked to sign with the Texans as Brian Hoyer’s back-up in October after releasing Ryan Mallet.  Hoyer left the week 10 game against the Cincinnati Bengals, and Yates stepped in throwing an incredible touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins to win 10-6.

In week 11, Yates started against the Jets, probably hoping for the best but expecting the worst.  The worse never came, as he threw for 229 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, 0 interceptions and only taking one sack.  Yates looked confident behind center, looking for opportunities downfield.  DeAndre Hopkins, who was shadowed by Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis, was able to beat the coverage totaling 118 receiving yards and 2 touchdowns.  The Texans even had success with a trick play touchdown thrown by Texans wide receiver, Cecil Shorts III to running back Alfred Blue.

For a second week in a row, the Texan defense was in good form, able to hold the Jets offense.  J.J. Watt had his best performance of the season, leading the defense with 2 sacks and 8 solo tackles, five of which were for a loss.

The previously underwhelming Texans team has gained recognition for a second week in a row, making a competitive Jets team look mediocre.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-6) & Tennessee Titans (2-8)

Tennessee Titans (13) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (19)

Unfortunately, the most notable part of this game was the fact that the Jaguars took the field wearing “special” mustard yellow uniforms, while the Titans dawned “special” powder blue uniforms that resembled a baby’s onesie.

What was supposed to be an offensive shootout unexpectedly turned out to be a defensive struggle.  Although both quarterbacks threw for over 200 yards, both quarterbacks were sacked four times and only had one TD a piece as field goals led most of the scoring for both teams.

Unfortunately for the Titans, they are on a two game losing streak and sits last in the AFC South.  In Thursday Night’s game, the Titans had 3 field goal opportunities, and made two.  To the credit of the Jaguars defense, none where in the red zone.  The top two skill players were Delanie Walker (109 receiving yards) and Antonio Andrews (78 rushing yards).  Marcus Mariota is known for working outside the pocket and scrambling, and in Thursday night’s game, he scrambled for his first rushing touchdown in the NFL.

The Jaguars haven’t played at home since week 1 against the Carolina Panthers, losing 9-20.  Coming off a questionable win against the Baltimore Ravens, the Jaguars are on a 2-game winning streak for the first time this season.  A division victory is exactly what the Jaguars needed to stay in the hunt for a chance in the postseason.  Although sitting third in the division, only one win separate first and third place.  If the Jaguars have any hope to move into first place, they will need to resolve their problems in the redzone.

In Thursday night’s game, the Jaguars redzone offense was non-existent as four of the five times in the redzone (once stopped at the 2-yard line) led to field goals, with the only touchdown being caught by Julius Thomas (only his second of the season), who had 28 receiving yards and was the most targeted receiver (8 targets) by Bortles.  Allen Robinson caught 5 of 7 for 113 receiving yards.  T.J Yeldon, who was said to be limited due to foot injury, had 54 rushing yards on 14 carries.

Both teams had highs and lows on Thursday night, but there’s no denying that the Jaguars just outplayed the Titans in this division game.