AFC South Review: Week 12 & Preview and Predictions: Week 13

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  AFC South

Indianapolis Colts (6-5)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (12) @ Indianapolis Colts (25)

Andrew Luck, who?  Matt Hasselbeck is 4-0, winning every start he’s had for the Colts.  Losing 6-12 at the half, the Colts defense should be given credit for stepping up in the second-half and shutting-out the Buccaneers, while the offense scored 19 points to win the game.  Hasselbeck, the oldest player in the league, passed for over 300 yards (315) for the first time in four years, with two touchdowns and no interceptions.  While the Colts defense has showed steady improvement since Hasselbeck has taken over as signal caller, which has been key to keeping them in games.

The Buccaneers were coming off a 45-17 win against the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 11 and looking for a three-week win streak.  The Colts had other ideas, holding Winston for only one passing touchdown, 1 interception and 5 sacks for a total loss of 33 yards.

Of course, the Colts have to give some credit to the Buccaneers, who committed 12 penalties for 95 yards.

And Adam Vinatieri, the second oldest player in the league and the oldest kicker, made four-out-of-four field goals and 1-out-of-two extra points.

The Colts are on a three-game-win streak – barely holding onto first place on their division, and will head into week 13, facing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field.

WEEK 13:

Indianapolis Colts (6-5) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)

Although Pittsburgh has been inconsistent due to Ben Roethlisberger’s injury, the Steelers offense is currently ranked fourth in the league in total offensive yards.

The Colts have had great success with Matt Hasselbeck, but in order to keep the number one spot in the AFC South (currently tied with the Houston Texans), they will need to win.  The Colt’s recent success can be largely attributed to the improvement of their defense, forcing more fumbles and turnovers while putting pressure on the quarterback.  The defense will need to continue on this road if they hope for success against the Steelers.  A win this Sunday will mean a Colts’ four-game win streak and a 5-0 for Hasselbeck this season.

As for the Steelers, Ben Roethlisberger will be on the field this Sunday slinging the ball downfield.  This might bring-up some bad memories for the Colts.  In 2014, Roethlisberger threw for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns against the Colts at Heinz Field, winning 51-34.  The Colts need to worry, Roethlisberger threw for 456 yards against the Seattle Seahawks legendary secondary, leaving the game with a concussion.  The Steelers have only allowed 93.6 rushing yards per game, but have allowed the 3rd most passing yards in the league.

• Expect a high scoring game.
• Expect the Colts to win by 3-points
• Expect Ben Roethlisberger to have an interception
• Expect the Colts to have a fumble recovery

Houston Texans (6-5)

New Orleans Saints (6) @ Houston Texans (24)

Was a win for the Texans surprising?  It shouldn’t have been.

It has been a decade since the Saints finished a game without a touchdown.  Drew Brees and the Saints have been discombobulated all season with only 4 wins under their belt.  After a pinnacle of 7 touchdowns against the New York Giants in week 9, the Saints have spiraled into a three-week losing streak.

The Texans, on the other hand, have been on a four-week win streak after a humiliating loss to the Miami Dolphins in week 8.  Currently in contention for the post-season, the biggest reason for the Texans improvement – the improved defense.  The season began with a listless Texans defense and a schizophrenic offense.  The improvement, on both sides, has been recognizable over the last four weeks.  With another great showing, the Texans defense held Drew Brees and the Saints to only 6 points.

The Texans number one receiver, DeAndre Hopkins, was held to only five receptions for only 36-yards, but fortunately, they didn’t need him for the win.

WEEK 13:

Houston Texans (6-5) @ Buffalo Bills (5-6)

The Bills came into the season with high expectations, but are currently regressing with a two loss streak.  We all know what the Bills are capable of doing with Tyrod Taylor as quarterback, having the ability to run the ball as well as throw it.  In week 12, the Bills might have lost to the Kansas City Chiefs, but Taylor had 291 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.  The Texans defense on average allows 219.6 passing yards, 107.5 rushing yards and 21.3 points per game.  As the Texans have a weaker rush defense, Taylor has LeSean McCoy (though not Karlos Williams who has been ruled out due to a shoulder injury) and the ground game to add to the Bills arsenal.

Holding the Bills offense might be difficult if J.J. Watt isn’t on the field on Sunday, or 100%, currently suffering from a groin injury.  In the past five games, Watt has totaled 9.5 sacks and is one of the reasons for the Texans defensive improvement.  If Watt is out of the game, the defense will need to double their efforts to hold the Bills.  Currently, the Texans lead the league in total tackles and second in the league in forced fumbles (17).

The Texans are looking for a win to overtake the Colts in the division.  It won’t be easy.  The Texans will need to put heavy pressure on the Bills offensive line, boxing their quarterback, Taylor, in the pocket and pressure the passing game rather than giving Taylor an opportunity to use his legs.  DeAndre Hopkins is the Texans greatest weapon, outside of their defense.  Hopkins was held to only 36-yards in week 12 against the less than stellar Saints, but that can’t happen if they want to pull–out a win against the Bills.  Hopkins will need to out play Bills cornerback Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby.  Last, the offense will need to protect Hoyer.  The offensive line has given up 22 sacks this season, Hoyer has been on the receiving end of 16 of them.

• Expect it to be a close game
• Expect the Houston Texans to win
• Expect Hoyer to throw 2 touchdowns
• Expect DeAndre Hopkins to get a 100+ yards and a touchdown

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7)

San Diego Chargers (31) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (25)

There are only so many things that you can depend on, and the winners and losers when it comes to football is never one of them.

The match-up looked good.  The Jaguars were favored to win.  They didn’t.

The Chargers had only two wins going into week 12.  2015 has been the worst season (thus far) for the Chargers since Philip Rivers has been quarterback.  The Jaguars looked to be on a steady incline of improvement, offensively and defensively.  But, on Sunday, the Chargers just outplayed the Jaguars, winning by six-points.  The difference, the Blake Bortles interception by the Chargers defense, which ultimately lead to one of Rivers’ four-touchdowns.

With four made field goals by Jason Myers, Bortles was unable to find the endzone, passing for 329 yards and 2 touchdowns.

WEEK 13:

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) @ Tennessee Titans (2-9)

It’s a week 11 rematch on the other team’s field.  Both teams are coming off a loss from week 12.  And although the Titans have yet to win at home all season, Blake Bortles has yet to win at Nissan Stadium ever.

The Titans have been on a steady losing streak, but it’s not from a lack of effort.  The Titans defense have 35 sacks, 11 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles.  They’ve also allowed the seventh fewest yards per game with 224.1 passing yards and 107.7 rushing yards.  And tight end Delanie Walker continues to be rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota’s biggest weapon in the latter half of this season.

One of Jaguars major threats in the game are the ‘two Allen wide-receiver set.’  Both have played exceptionally this season for a team in-progress.  Unfortunately, this Sunday’s game will be without Allen Hurns due to concussion and potentially without Bryan Walters, who is questionable due to a back injury.  This means the majority of the workload will surely fall on the remaining Allen (Robinson) and tight end Julius Thomas.  Will it be enough?

The Jaguars defense have 34 sacks, 13 interceptions and 8 forced fumbles, allowing 265.3 passing yards, 93.3 rushing yards and 27.2 points per game.  Further to the Jaguars detriment, they have allowed the second highest percentage of 3rd down conversions (45.5%) to opponents.  But, this is unlikely to prevent the Jaguars from seeking a win.

• Expect the Jaguars to win
• The Titans maintain their loss streak at home
• Expect the game to be close

Tennessee Titans (2-9)

Oakland Raiders (24) @ Tennessee Titans (21)

As expected, the Titans have yet to win a game at home.  Marcus Mariota passed for 218 yards and three touchdowns to three different recievers.  Unfortunately, he also had 2 interceptions – neither led to a touchdown, but one did end-up causing the Titans a chance to win the game.  I guess that’s worse.  Defensively, two Oakland fumbles led to Titans recovery and ultimately two touchdown plays by the Titans offense.

Derek Carr threw for 330 passing yards, 3 touchdowns and no interceptions.  Both Amari Cooper and Seth Roberts had over 100 receiving yards.  Seth Roberts had 2 touchdowns.

The game could have gone either way.  But the Titans home field curse continued to shadow victory from the Titans.

It just wasn’t meant to be for the Titans this season, but there is a silver lining.  They might not be on the road to the post season, but they will be looking at a high 2016 draft pick.