AFC South Week 11 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u 

HOUSTON TEXANS (6-3)

Houston TexansOakland Raiders

Houston Texans @ Oakland Raiders

SEE AFC WEST PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS.

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-5) & INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (4-5)

Tennessee TitansIndianapolis Colts

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

The Tennessee Titans are one game behind the AFC South leading Houston Texans, while the Indianapolis Colts are two games behind.  With the Texans facing-off against the Oakland Raiders on Monday, this divisional game can bring both teams one step closer to the post season…or a step back.

The Colts are currently on a 10-game win streak against the Tennessee Titans.  In week 7, the Colts and Titans met for the first time this season at Nissan Stadium.  At that point, the Colts offense was suffering from significant injuries, including being without tight end, Dwayne Allen, and wide receivers Donte Moncrief and Philip Dorsett.  Even with a battered offense, the Colts won 34-26.  Currently, the Colts offense is healthy and coming off a bye after defeating the Green Bay Packers at Lambo Field in Week 9.  And this Sunday, the Colts will have home field advantage, hosting the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium.

How can the Tennessee Titans win?

  • Run.  Murray.  Run.  Titans running back, DeMarco Murray, has the second most rushing yards this season (930), only behind Dallas Cowboys running back, Ezekiel Elliot (1005).  That, and his 8 total rushing touchdowns, have helped carry the Titans into contention, but he’ll have to keep up the pace to keep the Titans relevant.
  • Contain Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck.  In their first meeting, Luck threw for 353 passing yards and 3 touchdowns, while being sacked only twice with no interceptions.  The Titans, with the 5th most sacks in the league (28) paced by linebacker Brian Orakpo (9), must do a better job pressuring Luck this Sunday if they want to win.  Luck is the most sacked quarterback in the league this season (33), after all, which the Kansas City Chiefs took advantage of in week 8 to the tune of 6 sacks.
  • The Tennessee Secondary.  With a healthy Colts’ offensive line, Luck will have a lot more time and options through the air, meaning the Tennessee defense will need to step up.  Titans cornerback Perrish Cox has 3-interceptions and cornerback, Jason McCourty, has 2-interceptions.  They’ll need a few more of those this weekend to get a W.
  • Find a way to win.  In the Titans 10-game losing streak to the Colts, the Titans have lost 1 game in overtime, lost 7 games by single digits, and lost 3 by 4-points or less.  Titans quarterback, Marcus Mariota, has been running hot, throwing for 17 touchdowns and 3 interceptions in the last 6 games.  Plus, the Titans offensive line has allowed only 1 sack in the last 3 games, and only 13 sacks total in the season.  Mariota will need keep locked in to win what is likely to be another close game, with the Colts currently favored by only 2.5.

What can we expect in week 11?

  • Rishard Matthews get a touchdown.
  • Donte Moncrief gets a touchdown.

The Tennessee Titans win.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-7)

Jacksonville JaguarsDetroit Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Detroit Lions

Sitting at the bottom of the AFC South, the Jaguars are no longer looking towards the postseason, but are looking to grow in the weeks ahead.  The Jaguars are entering week 11 on a 4-game losing streak.  But, can they win?

How can the Jaguars win?

  • Everyone needs to play better!  It’s a basic key to winning.
  • Quarterback, Blake Bortles, needs to connect with his receivers.  It’s part of playing better.  Sure, the Jaguars receivers have been dropping too many balls, but Bortles hasn’t been doing them any favors consistently missing opportunities to make plays.
  • Contain Detroit Lions quarterback, Matthew Stafford.  The Jaguars defense have only 4 sacks in the last 5 games, and only 3 interceptions for the entire season.  Stafford has been solid this year with 2373 passing yards, 18 touchdowns and just 5 interceptions, leading the Lions to 4 wins out of their last 5 games.  The Jaguars will need to pressure Stafford into making mistakes for them to have any chance at winning this game.
  • Reduce offensive turnovers, and force some defensive turnovers.  The Jaguars have had 10 turnovers in the last four games, but haven’t forced a turnover in 5 games.  Need I say more?

  • Take the lead and Win.  Taking the lead isn’t always possible.  Bortles has a knack for rallying late in games, but never enough to win.  And for all you fantasy football people out there who’s in need of a quarterback, Bortles is always good for at least two passing touchdowns.  The answer is simple, but the follow through is difficult.  Bortles needs to find a way to take the lead and keep it as opposed to continuously playing catchup late in games.

The Lions are tied with the Minnesota Vikings for first place in the NFC North, and they’ll certainly be motivated to keep that rolling against the struggling Jaguars.

The Lions have been good at protecting the football and rallying from behind. The good news for the Jaguars, if you can call it that, is that both teams have mediocre run games, having only 3 rushing touchdowns this season.

The Lions are coming off a bye-week and the team will be well rested and prepared to host the Jaguars on Sunday.

What can we expect in Week 11?

  • Marquise Lee gets a touchdown.
  • Marvin Jones Jr. gets a touchdown.

The Detroit Lions win. 

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