AFC South 2017 Week 8 Preview & Predictions

October 29, 2017

Twitter: @kongfu4u AFC South Week 8

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (2-5)

Indianapolis Colts @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-4)

The Cincinnati Bengals and the Indianapolis Colts both have won only two games this season. With Andrew Luck still out, the Bengals have potential for a 3^rd win this season against the Colts. Current Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett has had his moments, but seems unable to consistently win games. In week 8, one of these two teams will have their third win of the season, who will it be?

What can we expect in week 8?

Indianapolis Colts…just BAD.

According to Football Outsiders, the Colts have one of the worst defenses in the league, ranked 30^th overall. A bad defense wouldn’t matter so much on its own, just look at the New England Patriots who have the 31^st ranked defense in the league. Unfortunately, the Colts also have one of the worst offenses in the league, ranked 31^st overall, 31^st passing the ball and 26^th running the ball.

The Colts defense has allowed an average of 300.7 passing yards per game, 124.7 rushing yards per game and 31.7 points per game.

Brissett has had 1409 passing yards, 3 passing touchdowns, 3 interceptions, 3 rushing touchdowns and has been sacked 25 times, which is the most in the league.

In week 7, the Colts were shut out by the Jacksonville Jaguars. Need I say more?

The Cincinnati Bengals are just slightly better.

According to Football Outsiders, the Bengals have the 25^th overall ranked offense in the league, 26^th with the pass and 28^th on the ground.

On defense, the Bengals have allowed an average of 177.7 passing yards per game (3^rd least in the league) and an average of 111.3 rushing yards per game.

Andy Dalton has 1360 passing yards, 9 touchdowns, 8 interceptions and has been sacked 19 times this season, so he hasn’t exactly been lighting it up.

Defeating the Buffalo Bills, 20-16 in week 5, the Bengals have proven they do have the ability to win against strong teams.

Who Wins?

The Cincinnati Bengals win at home.

HOUSTON TEXANS (3-3)

Houston Texans @ Seattle Seahawks

Coming off a bye-week, the Houston Texans should be well rested to face the Seattle Seahawks in Seattle.

What can we expect in week 8?

The Seattle Seahawks have won their last three games, but they played the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Rams and the New York Giants. Besides the Rams, the Colts and the Giants have below average offenses and defenses.

In week 8, the Seahawks will host the Houston Texans. According to Football Outsiders, the Texans have the 6^th overall ranked defense, ranked 7^th against the pass and 9^th against the run.

On offense, Deshaun Watson has thrown for 1297 passing yards, 15 touchdowns, 2 rushing touchdowns and 5 interceptions. In the last three games, Watson threw for 12 of those touchdowns. Looking to be the answer to the Texans quarterback woes, Watson will go against Seattle’s 9^th overall ranked defense, ranked 5^th against the pass and 23^rd against the run.

Both teams have yet to face a really tough defense until now.

The greatest threat for the Texans will be Watson, who’s shown ability to run the ball as well as throw.