2016 AFC South Preseason Preview

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

So  what has been happening this off season?  In case you’ve been living under a rock, here’s the Cliff Notes version:

  • Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, finally closed the chapter on Deflategate, accepting his four-game suspension.
  • Tom Brady’s wife, Gisele Bundchen, was asked to represent the Brazilian people by doing a final runway walk during the opening ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics.  Unfortunately, her presence received some criticism.

What controversy could possibly surround a supermodel at the Olympics, who’s not even competing?

It’s not for deflating anything, or testing positive for performance enhancement substances by eating too much meat …

It’s for doing something every super model does during their career…WALK.

During the opening ceremony, Gisele gave a final cat-walk across the Olympic stadium.  Why?  That’s the question many were asking, especially since Cat-Walking doesn’t seem to be listed as an Olympic Sport.

Hey, if some asked me to walk in the Olympic opening ceremonies, I’d be taking my time too!  Anyway, back to the list…

  • Micheal Phelps won five gold and a silver medal during the Rio 2016 Olympics, totaling his Olympic medal count to 28, 23 of them gold.
  • Brett Favre got inaugurated into the Hall of Fame.Brett Favre Lego
  • Usain Bolt proved that he was still the fastest man on earth, winning 3 gold medals in the Rio Olympics.

Usain Bolt

  • US gymnast, Simone Biles, was Rio’s four-feet-nine-inch darling, taking home three golds and a bronze medal.
  • The Rams are now the Los Angeles Rams, and the stars on HBO’s “Hard Knocks”.

LA Rams Banner

  • Aaron Rodgers, quarterback of the Green Bay Packers, has a brother, Jordan Rodgers, and he won the heart of bachelorette Jojo Fletcher on this season’s Bachelorette.  We learned Aaron and his brother have an estranged relationship, and maybe Jordan might not be such a nice guy.

So at this point you might be wondering what Gisele Bundchen, the 2016 Rio Olympics, Brett Favre, the LA Rams, Jordan Rodger and the 2016 AFC South division all have in common?

Nothing.  Except it makes me happy that we’re FINALLY getting back to actual football.

With less than a month left until the start of the 2016 regular season and the first pre-season games over, the AFC South is looking to be a division worth watching.

But, which AFC South team will lead the pack in the 2016 season?

Houston Texans

Houston Texans

Predicted 2016 Regular Season Record: 10-6

The Houston Texans entered the pre-season with a lot of hype.  Unfortunately, week 1 of the pre-season showed the same discombobulated offense we remembered from the 2015 season even with three major additions for the 2016 season.  The signing of former Denver Broncos quarterback, Brock Osweiler, signing of former Miami Dolphins running back, Lamar Miller, and the expansion of the wide receiver core during the 2016 draft.

Lamar Miller

Lamar Miller

The Texans made one of the boldest moves during the 2016 offseason by signing an unproven quarterback, Brock Osweiler to fill the void.  At the end of the third week of training camp, the team has already rallied behind Osweiler, hoping for some consistency in the passing game.

Although only time will truly be the judge for Osweiler’s success with the team, the Texans have given him the weapons he’ll need to prove himself as a franchise quarterback.  Of course, while with the Denver broncos, Osweiler showed little proficiency, losing the start back to Peyton Manning.  And, we all know how that ended.

To assist the offense, the addition of Lamar Miller in the backfield should prove beneficial as the Texans try to remain on top.  The void was evident for the Texans run-heavy offense during the 2015 season with the absence of Arian Foster, due to injury.  They’ll need to use every weapon in their arsenal if they’ll want to make it to the AFC Championship Game.

Add a solid group of receivers, drafting two very highly anticipated rookie wide receivers, Will Fuller (Norte Dame) and Braxton Miller (Ohio State), to pair up with DeAndre Hopkins and Jaelen Strong, and the Texans look to have a pretty talented offensive group.  Far better rounded than the playoff team we saw last year, who eventually lost the post-season to the Kansas City Chiefs (0-30) during the Wild Card playoffs.

There’s more good news for the Texans.  Offensive tackle Duane Brown, currently recovering from quadriceps surgery, recently got his ten-game suspension reversed for use of performance-enhancement drug (PED), claiming the consumption of massive quantities of beef in Mexico that is capable of triggering a positive test result for clenbuterol.

Unfortunately, there might be some potential trouble for the defense.

The Texans defense have high expectation for a healthy Jadeveon Clowney (line-backer), who looked in form and ready to play during Texans-Saints joint practice.  Unfortunately, J.J. Watt (defensive end) has yet to take the field during this training season, recovering from herniated disc surgery, and is probable to miss the first two regular season games of the season.

Luckily, with little change to this dominant defense of 2015, the Texans can only improve from their previous record, especially once J.J. Watt returns to the field.

Since Bill O’Brien’s arrival as head coach, the Texans ended both seasons 9-7.  O’Brien is probably hoping for an improved record.  The feat might not be as difficult as it seems.  Although the pre-season isn’t an indictor for the season, the Texans should improve their record, but not by very much.

There’s no doubting that the absence of Andrew Luck for most of the 2015 season benefited the Texans.  But, a heathy Luck shouldn’t matter much in the 2016 season. The Texans have stacked their roster with potential super-stars.  And if their offense is able to work as a cohesive team, the offense/defense combo looks promising enough to help them stay on top and return to the post-season once again.

The Texans first three regular season games are against the Chicago Bears (week 1), the Kansas City Chiefs (week 2) and the New England Patriots (week 3).

Expect the Texans to have a slow start out of the gate with a 1-2 record as they enter into week 4 of the regular season. [UPDATE – 8/21/16 – With the Patriots losing RB Dion Lewis and RT Sebastian Vollmer for the foreseeable future, it’s now possible for the Texans to start 2-1.]

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis Colts

Predictions 2016 Regular Season Record: 9-7

The Colts have always been a dominant team in the AFC South division.  But the 2016 season will be a challenging one even with a healthy Andrew Luck.

At the end of the third week of training camp, the starting offensive linemen have yet to be set, the defensive line is suffering from injuries and Andrew Luck continues to get up to speed after recovering from injury.

On offense, the team needed little improvement in the skill positions with T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief and Philip Dorsett ready to play a three wide-receiver offensive set.  In the back fields, Frank Gore who rushed for 967 yards and scored 6 rushing TD’s should secure the starter role.  The front offensive line is another story with rookie center Ryan Kelley (Alabama) the only position securing the start position.

Andrew Luck Hand Off

Andrew Luck hands off ball to Frank Gore – Robert Scheer Indystar

The Colts’ downfall in the upcoming season will ultimately be their defense.

Kendall Langford (defensive end) is out after having arthroscopic knee surgery and Arthur Jones (defensive end) will miss the first four regular season games after violating the league policy on performance-enhancing substances, but will be able to participate in the preseason.

Henry Anderson (defensive tackle) remains on the physically unable to perform list as he recovers from a torn ACL, but has shown vast improvement in recent days as he increased his field work.  His knee responding well to the increased work load.  But don’t get too excited, he’ll still need time to get up to speed and won’t be at 100% for the beginning of the regular season (if he even steps on the field).

This leaves rookie defensive-end Hassan Ridgeway (Texas) to fill one of the spots.

But, the Colts defense isn’t all bleak.  With pro-bowl Vontae Davis returning and the signing of former San Diego Charger corner Patrick Robinson, the left and right corner-back positions are locked up. Robinson is said to have allowed only “8.9 yards per catch last season, the least YPC of any NFL cornerback targeted at least 40 times in 2015.”

With a defense just not strong enough to hold off opponents, the pressure will be placed on the offense, ultimately leading to frustration and mistakes.

If Colts fans are feeling a little nervous about the upcoming season, I wouldn’t be surprised.  With a defense that looks to place in the bottom of the league, the question is whether the offense will be able to carry the team.

The Colts first three regular season games are against the Detroit Lion (week 1), Denver Broncos (week 2) and San Diego Chargers (week 3).

Expect the Colts to struggle as they head into the season, having a 1-2 record as they enter into week 4.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville Jaguars

Predictions 2016 Regular Season Record: 8-8

Even though the Jaguars should improve from the 2015, 5-11 record, a post-season probably isn’t in the cards for these budding young superstars.

Blake Bortles is entering his 3rd year as quarterback and is looking better than ever in his first pre-season game.  He’s confident behind center, quicker and faster in his foot work and decision making skills and improved ability to read the defense.

Getty Image

Getty Image

The Jaguars wide receiving core has been one of the more dominant sets on-field thanks to Allen Hurns and Allen Robinson.  The strong wide-receiving core shouldn’t change for the Jaguars in the upcoming season.  Expect, Julius Thomas to take on a bigger role as he starts healthy for the 2016 season.

One of the bigger concerns for the Jaguars in 2015 season was the running offense.

Worry no more.  With the addition of Chris Ivory and a vastly improved T.J. Yeldon, the backfield is explosive in its ability to move the ball downfield.  Although the split carries might not be what fantasy owners seek, the duo should relieve some of the pressure off Blake Bortles and makes this offense a duel threat.

Chris Ivory - AP Photo

Chris Ivory – AP Photo

Although improved, the Jaguars defense still has a lot of work to do.  The rookie Myles Jack saw a lot of time in the field, playing deep into the third quarter.  His athleticism and speed was obvious with no signs of slowing down during the pre-season game against the Jets.  If the defense continues down this road, you can expect to see a reborn Jacksonville team.

As much as the Jaguars are heading in the right direction, it’s not all rainbows and roses for the Jaguars.

In their first pre-season game, the Jacksonville Jaguars possessed the ball longer, moved the ball 415 yards (compared to 284 yards by the New York Jets), having more passing and rushing yards, but they still managed to lose to the New York Jets 13-17.   Why?  The Jaguars had 12 penalties for 132 yards’ verses only 2 penalties (for 20 yards) called on the Jets.

The lack of discipline will ultimately leave the Jaguars just out of reach of the post-season.

But, if mistakes are to be made, it’s in the preseason.  Unfortunately, the AFC South won’t have three teams in the post season.

The Jaguars first three regular season games are against the Green Bay Packers (week 1), San Diego Chargers (week 2) and Baltimore Ravens (week 3).

Expect the Jaguars to exit the gate strong, having a 2-1 record as they enter into week 4.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee Titans

Predictions 2016 Regular Season Record: 6-10

Unfortunately, the Titans will end up at the bottom of the AFC South division…again.  After a 2-14 2014 season and 3-13 2015 season, the Titans should finish marginally better.  It’s little solace for Titan fans, but it’s time to face the hard facts.

The Titans quarterback, Marcus Mariota, and the word potential go hand-and-hand.  A speculated rising star, Mariota left late in the 2015 season with an injury, but completed 230 passes for 2818 yards, 252 rushing yards, 19 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing touchdowns.   A healthy Mariota will have tight-end Delanie Walker, 2015’s top scorer for the Titans.  Free-agent Rishard Matthews, previously with the Miami Dolphins.  Matthews 43 receptions for 662 yards and 4 touchdowns.  His best season since entering the NFL.  Andre Johnson, formally of the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, is a fourteen-year veteran.  Johnson had 41 receptions out of 77 targets for 503 yards and 4 touchdowns.  In addition, rookie wide receiver and fifth-round draft pick, Tajae Sharpe should be a healthy addition to the offense.  During the first pre-season game, Sharpe had a 31-yard reception from Mariota in the first quarter.  The Titans winning 27-10 against the San Diego Chargers.

The New England Patriots might not be the only team to strike gold in the fifth round.

In the 2016 season, the strongest positions for the Titans might be the running back position.  With newly acquired DeMarco Murry, formally a Philadelphia Eagle, and second-round draft pick, rookie Derrick Henry, they displayed a dominant backfield during their first pre-season game.

But, the offense needs more than wide receivers and running backs.  Protection of the quarterback and opportunity for the skilled positions are needed to score.  It’s this thinking that lead to the trade of Dorial Green-Beckham, a second round draft pick in 2015, to the Philadelphia Eagles, for offensive lineman, Dennis Kelly.  The trade might have been a little alarming to Titans’ fans.  Green-Beckham caught 32 passes for 549 yards and 4 touchdowns in his rookie year and was expected to be one of three top receivers for the Titans offense in the 2016 season.  Unfortunately, Green-Beckham was said to be widely inconsistent during training camp.  But, that didn’t seem to out-weigh the potential the currently developmental transitioning Philadelphia Eagles saw in this second year veteran.  Neither team gave little pause to the trade.

The main issue for Tennessee? A defensive unit that allowed 26.4 points-per-game last season, ranking them No. 27 in the NFL.  The Titans hope to improve their defense with the addition of 2016 second round draft pick, rookie defensive-end Kevin Dodd, and second-round draft pick, rookie Austin Johnson, defensive linesman/ nose tackle.

A better offense/defense than the previous season, the Titans won’t be getting the 2nd pick in the 2017 NFL draft.

The Titans first three regular season games are against the Minnesota (week 1), Detroit Lions (week 2) and Oakland Raiders (week 3).

As good as the Titans looked during their pre-season game, it won’t be enough to win their first three regular season games.  Expect the Titans to put on a show, but eventually have a 0-3 record as they enter into week 4.

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