NFL Division Previews: AFC South Preview

1.       Indianapolis Colts, -400

Since Andrew Luck was drafted with the first overall pick in 2012, the Colts have progressively improved each season, with it cumulating in an AFC title appearance in 2014. The Colts made some serious moves in the offseason to help Luck and the offense take it to the next level, signing veteran running back Frank Gore (San Francisco’s all-time leader in rush yards) and wide receiver Andre Johnson (Houston’s all-time leader in receiving yards and touchdowns). If the two veterans can find some of their old mojo, the Colts will have one of the NFL’s most prolific offenses in 2015.

The defense for the Colts has been their largest hindrance over the past, but the signing of Trent Cole and the return of Robert Mathias will give the unit the boost they need. The two sack specialists join cornerback Vontae Davis to give the defense enough all-pros to matchup against the other elite teams in the NFL come postseason time.

2.       Houston Texans, + 425

The team of HBO’s “Hard Knocks” is trying hard to make it back to the playoffs in 2015, but the loss of star running back Arian Foster and the lack of an established quarterback will likely keep the Texans out of meaningful football for the third straight season. The offense is ladled with questions marks and the preseason may not be able to sort them all out.

The strength of the Texans is on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on the defensive line. The Texans are led by the amazingly talented J.J Watt. Watt is coming off his two Defensive Player of the Year award in three years and will be joined on the d-line by former Patriot Vince Wilfork and a hopefully healthy Jadeveon Clowney. If the offense can find some consistency, this unit may be good enough to carry the Texans to a Wild Card spot in 2015.

3.       Tennessee Titans, +1600

The Titans were, for lack of a better word, boring and blend in 2014. Ken Whisenhunt, known best for his work with the Cardinals, enters his second season and now has the quarterback he needs to begin turning around the franchise. Second overall pick Marcus Mariota has been a star so far at training camp will be a front-runner for the offensive Rookie of the Year award. The lack of talent surrounding him will keep the rookie from having the kind of season that propels the team to a winning season and playoff appearance.

4.       Jacksonville Jaguars, +1600  

The AFC South’s longest playoff drought is located in Jacksonville, Florida. The Jags have missed the playoffs for seven straight seasons now and continue to wallow at or near the bottom of the entire AFC.  The Jags made a couple of reasonable moves in the offseason, particularly the signing of tight end Julius Thomas and defensive end Red Bryant, but the team remains one of the youngest in the league and will once again struggle for it in 2015. 

Category : Betting Picks

Tag : AFC south , houston texans , indianapolis colts , jacksonville jaguars , nfl , nfl odds , nfl season previews 2015 , tennessee titans

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