King's Declaration AFC South
by KingJohnIX | 4 years ago | 0 Comments
AFC South
Closing in on the ¾ mark of the season the south is looking like a one team race. But with 5 games still to go there could be some shakeup but I just don’t see it happening at this point.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Drafted Players:
#33 Johnny Aldridge OLB
#94 Jamal Copeland C
Offensive Ranks:
Points: 29 ppg (10th)
Total Yards: 373 ypg (5th)
Passing Yards: 258 ypg (7th)
Rushing Yards: 115 rpg (6th)
The Jaguars headed into the offseason with few needs on the offensive side of the ball and it showed as they only drafted a center in the 3rd round. The best part is that Copeland gets to sit behind Linder and learn from one of the best Centers in the league. The line is doing a good job keeping Archer upright and giving him time to make throws. With the weapons at his disposal that is all Archer needs is a bit a time. The Jags have put together one of the scariest offenses in the league and they continue to prove it week in and week out.
Defensive Ranks:
Points: 25 ppg (16th)
Total Yards: 324 ypg (12th)
Passing Yards: 220 ypg (10th)
Rushing Yards: 104 rpg (24th)
The Jags used their lone 2nd round pick on OLB Aldridge. He wasn’t drafted to be an immediate impact more so to spell guys when they were tired and learn the defense to be an eventual starter. He has totaled 4 tackles in 3 appearances on the season. But that defense has been solid without the presence of new blood. They are a top half defense in most categories and if they get the run stopping down, they will once again be a team no one wants to face come playoff time.
Season Prediction: 12-4
Indianapolis Colts
Drafted Players:
#14 Pat Woods DE
#24 George McElroy DE
#53 Joey Jenkins MLB
Offensive Ranks:
Points: 31 ppg (3rd)
Total Yards: 423 ypg (1st)
Passing Yards: 305 ypg (1st)
Rushing Yards: 117 rpg (5th)
The Colts decided to not address the offense in the draft and it looks like they didn't need to. As they are one of the best offenses in the league this season. Top 5 in every single category scoring at will throwing the ball all over the field and crushing souls with the run game. Killings is closing in on 3,000 passing yards and Taylor is over 1,000 rushing yards. One thing is keeping this team from competing and we will discuss that very soon.
Defensive Ranks:
Points: 32 ppg (31st)
Total Yards: 405 ypg (32nd)
Passing Yards: 300 ypg (32nd)
Rushing Yards: 104 rpg (23rd)
As good as the offense has been is how bad the defense is. They are bottom of the league in pretty much every category. Now they did draft 3 defensive players to help sure up the defense. It doesn’t seem to be helping as a whole but how are they doing as individuals.Pat woods is having a decent rookie campaign as through 12 games he has 16 tackles and 4 sacks. This are solid number for a rookie trying to find his way in the league. His running mate on the other side McElroy isn’t doing quite as well but is serviceable at 10 tackles and 2 sacks. I think the colts are hoping this 2 develop into their next Mathis/Freeney combo. Rookie LB Jenkis has only posted 3 tackles on the season but with the solid LBing core that is there not surprised by this. But if they want to try to make the playoffs this defense has to be better.
Season Prediction: 8-8
Tennessee Titans
Drafted Players:
#22 Scott Hitchens OLB
#25 Joel Cotton DE
#43 Dustin Rich QB
#44 James Baxter DT
#54 Michael Fowler HB
#86 Dave Hargrove WR
#90 Jon Pearson CB
Offensive Ranks:
Points: 26 ppg (13th)
Total Yards: 365 ypg (8th)
Passing Yards: 247 ypg (10th)
Rushing Yards: 118 rpg (5th)
With a Titan load of draft picks many would consider this a rebuilding season in Tennessee. With 7 picks in the first 3 rounds the Titans used 3 of them on very key positions including QB, RB and WR. This has translated into a very solid offense this season with them being in the top 15 of every statistical category. Dustin Rich the rookie QB out of Virginia Tech is having a great rookie campaign. He has been overlooked by many as he was the long 2nd round pick of the Redzone 6. But with 2,400 yards, 26-22 td-int ratio and only taking 12 sacks, he is going to make a run at the rookie of the year however, the only thing holding him back is he isn’t winning like Gabe Peek is. Fowler joined a backfield by committee when he came to the Titans but is doing well enough with 68 carries for 281 and 2 tds. He is averaging over 4 yards a carry which is good enough to warrant him so more playing time in the future. However, not so much can be side for rookie WR Hargrove he is rarely getting on the field in the loaded receiving core and just isn’t making much of an impact.
Defensive Ranks:
Points: 26 ppg (15th)
Total Yards: 335 ypg (16th)
Passing Yards: 254 ypg (26th)
Rushing Yards: 80 rpg (5th)
With the other 4 selections in the early rounds the Titans loaded up on defensive players. Hitchens was drafted as an OLB but was abruptly moved to DE. He is contributing a decent amount for being a rookie has he has totaled 18 tackles, 3 sacks and a forced fumble on the season. His running mate in Joel Cotton was reportedly unhappy about this move as it has greatly affected his playing time this season. DT Baxter was drafted to be an eventual starter we believe has he has not seen th field yet this season. But with the Titans out of the playoff race expect to see him on the field soon so the coaching staff can see what they have in him DB Pearson was drafted to be a backup with hopes of eventually taking over a more prominent role on the team. He has only tallied one tackle on the season so far:
Season Prediction:5-11
Houston Texans
Drafted Players:
N/A
Offensive Ranks:
Points: 24 ppg ( 18th)
Total Yards: 332 ypg(21st)
Passing Yards: 245 ypg (20th)
Rushing Yards: 86 rpg (26th)
So with no players drafted in the first 3 rounds of this past draft there isn;t much speculation we can do about the impact of rookies. But this offense needs some help and it needs it soon. Watson is getting sacked nearly 3 times a game, the run game is nearly non-existent. The pass game is atrocious outside of JuJu. They need to stop turning over the ball and extend some drives.
Defensive Ranks:
Points: 27 ppg (21st)
Total Yards: 315 ypg (6th)
Passing Yards: 212 ypg (3rd)
Rushing Yards: 102 rpg (13th)
It is rare for a team to be so good at defense but keep allowing points. It would seem that the turnovers are putting the offense in a bad position and they can stop anyone from getting in the endzone. Like i previously stated if they cut down those turnovers they may be able to turn it around.