Online NFL Football Wagering – AFC South Preview
Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts will look to make back-to-back appearances in the Super Bowl while the Houston Texans are looking for their first playoff berth. Meanwhile, Jacksonville is hoping that David Garrard can have bounce-back season and with the help of Maurice Jones-Drew, lead them into the postseason. Lastly, the Titans will look to improve on their 8-8 season and carryover momentum of their sizzling finish with Vince Young handling the quarterback duties full time.
Here is how the AFC South breaks down for 2010:
Houston Texans
The Texans posted the franchise’s first winning season in 2009. With the best passing offense in the league last season, Matt Schaub has finally come to be a franchise quarterback. He will look to add to his 2009 performance that saw him throw for 4700 yards and 29 touchdowns. Helping him along the way will be Andre Johnson, now the highest paid receiver in the league, who is almost impossible to cover. Look for the defense to get much better this season as the young defensive core of Mario Williams, Demeco Ryans, and Brian Cushing (once he’s back from suspension) gel with one another. If the team stays healthy, finds a way to run the ball better and Schaub plays well, the Texans may earn their first playoff berth and win the South.
NFL Betting Prediction: 2nd in AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars are coming off a sub .500 season in 2009, which resulted in finishing last in the AFC South. Led by quarterback David Garrard and running back Maurice-Jones Drew, the Jags are looking to make a run at a playoff spot this season. Jones-Drew will have to continue to carry his team if they are to have any chance at earning a wild card spot and Garrard will need to play better than his 15-touchdown performance last season. The Jags were 27th in the league in opponent passing yards in 2009 and in the South, they won’t survive if that doesn’t improve. They are going to need a better pass rush and make it difficult for opposing quarterbacks to throw the ball. Garrard will have to play better and find ways to take the pressure of Jones-Drew if they have any shot at making the playoffs.
NFL Betting Prediction: 4th in AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
After losing to the Saints in last year’s Super Bowl Peyton Manning, the best quarterback in the NFL. will look to lead his team again to the promise land. The Colts will rely on Manning’s ability to make plays and throw the ball everywhere on the field, regardless of the coverage. The one weakness that hinders the Colts offense is their running game. Their ground game ranked dead last in the NFL and Joseph Addai will need to pull his weight to make the opposing defenses honest. Defensive end Dwight Freeney is still a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks and if safety Bob Sanders can stay healthy, quarterbacks will not want to throw the ball anywhere in his direction. We all know the Colts will make the playoffs and most likely win the division. How far they go in the playoffs depends on whether the defense can stay healthy and if Addai and/or Donald Brown can be impact players this season.
NFL Betting Prediction: 1st in AFC South
Tennessee Titans
This is the season for the young duo of Vince Young and Chris Johnson to help lead their Titans team into the playoffs. Johnson, who is the best running back in the NFL is coming off one of the greatest rushing seasons in history and Young has regained his starting spot full-time. The key for the Titans offense will be finding ways to give Johnson the ball and giving him space to run. From Young, they will need to see him protect the ball and improve on his 10 passing touchdowns from last season. If the Titans are going to make the playoffs and make a bid for the playoffs they must work on their pass defense, which was second-worst in the league. Johnson will be stellar all season; the question is whether or not both Young and the Titans pass defense can keep up.
