AFC South Week 14 Preview and Predictions

By Joanne Kong

Twitter: @kongfu4u  AFC South Week 14

HOUSTON TEXANS (6-6) & INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-6)

Houston TexansIndianapolis Colts

Houston Texans @ Indianapolis Colts

While the Houston Texans have been on a downward slide after a strong start to the season, the Indianapolis Colts had one of their best games of the season against the New York Jets in week 13.  Of course, it could have been just because they were playing the Jets, because let’s face it, they can make any team look good except for themselves.

Colts quarterback, Andrew Luck, sat out week 12 due to concussion, but took the field on Monday Night at Metlife Stadium to devastate the Jets.

In week 13, the Texans loss to the Green Bay Packers increased their losing streak to 3, and put them in a three-way tie for first in the AFC South with the Colts and Titans.  If the Texans don’t start winning, not only will they lose their share of first, they’ll lose any hope for the postseason.

After Week 14, one, or two, of these three AFC South teams will be in 2nd place.  And the Texans will be relying on quarterback, Brock Osweiler, to lead them to victory and avoid being one of those teams.  Fortunately, Osweiler has shown some bouts of brilliance as of late.  Unfortunately, Osweiler’s abilities as a quarterback have been inconsistent at best.

  • The Colts defense is 28th against the pass, allowing 273.3 yards per game, and 20th against the run, allowing 109.6 yards per game.

The Colts defense is just bad enough to make Osweiler look good.  In week 6, the Texans beat the Colts, 26-23, at home.  And, the Colts defense allowed Osweiler to throw 2 touchdowns in the final 2-minutes and 40-seconds of the game.

Unfortunately, Osweiler might have peaked with his best game of the season in week 6, having 269 passing yards and 2 touchdowns.  Entering week 14, Osweiler has a passer rating of 74.2 for the season, ranking 31st in the league.

  • The Texans defense is 5th against the pass, allowing 208.4 yards per game, and 19th against the run, allowing 107.7 yards per game.

The Texans defense against the pass might be good enough to make Andrew Luck look bad.  They did it once, can the Texans do it again?

What can we expect in Week 14?

  • Lamar Miller has a touchdown.
  • Donte Moncrief has a touchdown.

The Indianapolis Colts win.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (2-10)

Minnesota VikingsJacksonville Jaguars

Minnesota Vikings @ Jacksonville Jaguars

In week 13, the Jacksonville Jaguars lost to the Denver Broncos, 10-20.  As was expected.  In week 14, the Jaguars host the Minnesota Vikings.

Sure, I could tell you the Jaguars could win and that the Jaguars are a better team than their 2-10 record.  Or I could point out that the Jaguars play with passion each and every week.  But, I won’t.  Sure, most athletes want to give it their best regardless of score and record, and I don’t see the Jaguars quitting until they finish playing their final game of the season.  After all, after you realize your team isn’t making the postseason, the next best thing is ruining the seasons of other teams.  But it’s going to take more than pride for the Jaguars to turn this ship around.

Jaguars Mascot on the Field

While the Jaguars have no chance to make it to the postseason, the Minnesota Vikings are still in the hunt.

The Vikings are 2 games behind the Detroit Lions, who are currently first in the NFC North.  With four games remaining, anything is possible, including the Vikings winning out the season and taking over the NFC North, assuming the Lions and Packers (6-6) lose some games.

But, it all begins with week 14.

  • The Vikings have lost 6 of their last 7 games.

In week 13, the Minnesota Vikings loss to the Dallas Cowboys, 15-17.  If nothing else, it was a close game.

  • The Vikings defense has 31 sacks (4th most in the league), 14 interceptions, 14 forced fumbles and 5 defensive touchdowns.  They are the 4th defense against the pass, allowing 199.9 yards per game and the 17th defense against the run, allowing 103.5 yards per game.

Defensive end, Danielle Hunter, leads the Vikings defense with 9.5 sacks, as well as having a forced fumble returned for a touchdown.  Defensive end, Brian Robinson and Everson Griffen have 6 sacks each.  Cornerback, Xavier Rhodes, has 4 interception, one of which was returned for a touchdown.  At this point, it’s clear that the Vikings defense has to be firing on all cylinders to give the offense a chance at not losing games.

  • Sam Bradford has 2,662 passing yards, 13-touchdowns, 3-interceptions and has been sacked 28 times.

Speaking of the Vikings offense, the line needs to step up and give Bradford time.  Bradford can be a decent game manager when he’s not running for his life, particularly with Kyle Rudolph and Adam Thielen becoming a consistent safety blankets and solid redzone targets, and Stefon Diggs getting back in gear.

  • As for the Jaguars, I’m not going to repeat myself for the four remaining games of the regular season.  Yes, the Jaguars need to hold on to the ball.  They need to protect Blake Bortles.  They need to just play better.  As it stands now, the Jaguars would have the 3rd pick in the draft behind the 0-12 Cleveland Browns and the 1-11 San Francisco 49ers.  At this point in the season, it might be better to take the 3rd draft pick and look into building a more cohesive team in 2017.

What can we expect in Week 14?

  • Blake Bortles has at least 2 passing touchdowns.
  • Kyle Rudolph has a touchdown.

The Minnesota Vikings win.

TENNESSEE TITANS (6-6)

Denver Broncos @ Tennessee Titans

Denver Broncos LogoTennessee Titans

See AFC WEST Week 14 Preview and Predictions.

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