AFC South Preview and Predictions: Week 14

December 12, 2015

Twitter: @kongfu4u AFC South

Indianapolis Colts & Jacksonville Jaguars

Indianapolis Colts (6-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (4-8)

The Colts are currently at 1^st place in the AFC South, while the Jaguars are in 3^rd, but separated only by one game with the Tennessee Titans (3-9). Both teams are entering week 14 with a loss, and while the Colts are trying to stay ahead in the division, the Jaguars are just trying not to finish last.

The Colts had a devastating beat in week 13 against the Pittsburg Steelers (10-45), allowing 364 passing yards, 4 passing touchdowns and 158 rushing yards. And Matt Hasselbeck had his worst game of the season as the Colts were held to a total of 240 yards, 1 passing touchdown, 3 turnovers and 5 penalties.

Blake Bortles had the opposite problem, if you can call it a problem. Bortles and the Jaguars connected for 5 passing touchdowns, even with one of the Allen’s (Hurns) out for the week 13 game, but ultimately lost 39-42 to the Titans.

Blake Bortles – AP Photo

After a tough loss, the Colts offense will need get back on the same page, as the Colts defense tries to limit the Jaguars from making big plays downfield. It won’t be easy for Hasselbeck or the defense. The Jaguars defense have 36 sacks for a total loss of 207 yards and 13 interceptions. Luckily for the Colts, the Jaguars defense has also allowed 264.6 passing yards, 103 rushing yards and 28.4 points per game.

The improving Jaguars team will need to replicate week 13’s game against the Titans to beat the Colts. In week 4, the Colts narrowly beat the Jaguars 16-13. The week 14 rematch looks to be a ripe opportunity for the Jaguars to avenge that loss. The Colts defense has allowed 280.4 passing yards, 118.7 rushing yards and 25.4 points per game, as well as 28 sacks, 16 interceptions and 14 forced fumbles. Bortles should have all of his receivers for this Sunday’s game, making him a dangerous weapon.

Expect the Jaguars to win by a touchdown
Expect Bortles to have 2 interceptions
Expect Bortles to have 2 passing touchdowns
Expect Hasselbeck to have 1 touchdown

Houston Texans

New England Patriots (10-2) @ Houston Texans (6-6)

After a loss to the Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (45-17) and the Detroit Lions (45-14), the Philadelphia Eagles entered Gillette Stadium and defeated the New England Patriots 35-28.

Injury has plagued the Patriots, probably contributing to their week 13 loss to the Eagles. Week 14 will be a tougher match-up for the Patriots offense. With Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski still out this Sunday, the Patriots top ranked passing game will have to face the Texans seventh ranked overall defense and third ranked passing defense.

J.J. Watt – Getty Images

With the Texans defense potentially matching up well against the Patriots offense, the Patriots fifteenth ranked pass defense, allowing 241.6 passing yards per game, will need to minimize DeAndre Hopkins’ role in the Texans offense this Sunday. Of course, Hopkins isn’t the only receiving option on the Texans offense with Cecil Short III having the most receiving yards in week thirteen and Brian Hoyer connecting with Ryan Griffin (a 3^rd year tight-end) and Chris Polk (4^th year running back) in the endzone.

The Texans will be hoping for a win against the Patriots, looking to takeover first place in the AFC South. It won’t be easy. Brian Hoyer will need to play the best game of his career to out-play Tom Brady, who already has 3,912 passing yards, 31 touchdowns and 3 rushing touchdowns this season. J.J. Watt is expected to play with a broken hand this Sunday against the Patriots, as if the Patriots needed more bad news, who are currently on a two game losing streak.

Expect the Texans to win (Isn’t that enough of a prediction?)
Expect Brady to have an interception

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans (3-9) @ New York Jets (7-5)

With an unpredictable offensive line who’s given up 39 sacks, rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota has led the Titans to a 3-9 season with four games remaining, which is a fair improvement to last season’s 2-14 season finish.

Both teams are coming off a close victory, winning by only 3 points.

The Jets have the sixth best overall defense in the league, while the Titans are ranked eighth. However, the Titans defense are credited with 39 sacks, 12 interceptions and 15 forced fumbles, while the Jets defense have 17 sacks, 12 interceptions and 11 forced fumbles.

Doral Green Beckham

Marcius Mariota and Dorial Green-Beckham are coming off a spectacular game, but week 14 will be a challenge for the Titans offense, who’s receiving options have been reduced since the absence of Kendall Wright, but not missed. Since Wright’s absence, tight end Delanie Walker has filled the whole becoming the Titans leading receiver with 800 yards and four touchdowns.

This Sunday’s game will be decided by the offensive side of the game. Whichever team can beat the opponent’s defense will likely win this showdown.

Marcius Mariota and the Titans have only beat two senior quarterbacks this season, Drew Brees and Blake Bortles. Ryan Fitzpatrick has ten years of experience over Marcius Mariota, receiver Brandon Marshall with 1062 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, Erick Decker with 801 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns and running back Chris Ivory, who’s been known to have some breakout games. If Ryan Fitzpatrick is able to beat the defensive line, and avoid being sacked, he’ll like earn a ‘W’ for week 14 against the Titans.

It will be difficult for the Titans to pull a win, but not impossible. Mariota will need to exploit the Jets passing game, who’s allowed 243 yards per game. But, it won’t be easy with Darrelle Revis back in the game.