AFC South Predictions

Welcome back to the 4th and final AFC prediction post for 2012. Today we are going to exploring the AFC South, join me on a journey like no other.

Houston Texans (11-5) With the Texans coming off a great 2011 I feel they can only go up from here, with Matt Schaub coming off IR (injured reserve) and Arian Foster locked up the offense is going to fill in where the defense will lack from the depature of Mario Williams. Lets take a gander at their signings and their important games

Arian Foster (RB) re-signed (five-year extension (through 2016)).

Jon Weeks (C) re-signed (four-year extension (through 2015))

Chris Myers (C) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Ben Jones (C) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Keshawn Martin (WR) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Jared Crick (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Randy Bullock (K) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Nick Mondek (T) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Whitney Mercilus (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (fifth-year option)).

Moran Norris (RB) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Quintin Demps (S) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Bradie James (LB) signed/unrestricted free agent.

Tim Dobbins (LB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

The Texans signed some decent players, that should help them win their division that was once ruled by the Colts. Here are the important games that the Texans will play week 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17

Week 3 is against the Broncos (Away)

Week 4 is against the Titans (Home) 

Week 5 is against the Jets (Away)

Week 6 is against the Packers (Home)

Week 7 is against the Ravens (Home)

Week 9 is against the Bills (Home) This is sure to be a great game because Mario Williams is coming home with his new team

Week 10 is against the Bears (Away)

Week 12 is against the Lions (Away)

Week 13 is against the Titans (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 14 is against the Patriots (Away)

Week 15 is against the Colts (Home)

Week 17 is against the Colts (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

The Texans have a pretty tough schedule this year but that's not going to push them from their ultimate goal.

The Houston Texans will win this division (my opinion) 

Indianapolis Colts (9-7) The Colts and their fans believe they have the next Joe Montana in Andrew Luck but I beg to differ, he is a good QB but not a great one (once again my opinion). Andrew Luck has a while to go before he shines. Let's take a look at the Colts signings and their important games. 

Reggie Wayne (WR) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Winston Justice (T) traded (for 6th-round pick in 2012).

Cory Redding (DE) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Tom Zbikowski (S) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Brandon McKinney (NT) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Tim Fugger (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

LaVon Brazill (WR) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Vick Ballard (RB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Chandler Harnish (QB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Justin Anderson (T) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)

Josh Chapman (NT) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

The Colts from what I can tell didn't really do much, except cut a lot of their core. Now let's take a look at their important games, week 1, 5, 6, 8, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17

Week 1 is against the Bears (Away)

Week 5 is against the Packers (Home)

Week 6 is against the Jets (Away)

Week 8 is against the Titans (Away)

Week 11 is against the Patriots (Away)

Week 12 is against the Bills (Home)

Week 13 is against the Lions (Away)

Week 14 is against the Titans (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams

Week 15 is against the Texans (Away)

Week 16 is against the Chiefs (Away)

Week 17 is against the Texans (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams

When you look at it the Colts are kind of in a rebuilding phase, like I said earlier they cut a lot of their core that has brought them a Superbowl victory. One of the major cuts is Peyton Manning, I never thought I would see the day that Peyton wouldn't put on a Colts helmet. 

Tennessee Titans (10-6) The Titans are also in a rebuilding phase, 

here are the signings that the Titans have made.

Malcolm Sheppard (DT) re-signed/exclusive rights free agent.

Fernando Velasco (C) re-signed/exclusive rights free agent.

Jordan Babineaux (S) re-signed (two-year extension (through 2013)).

Patrick Bailey (LB) re-signed (multi-year contract)

Steve Hutchinson (G) signed (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Kamerion Wimbley (DE) signed (five-year contract (through 2016)).

Tim Shaw (LB) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (multi-year contract).

Leger Douzable (DT) signed/unrestricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Dave Ball (DE) re-signed/unrestricted free agent.

Coty Sensabaugh (CB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Mike Martin (DT) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Markelle Martin (S) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015))

Zach Brown (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Taylor Thompson (TE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Scott Solomon (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Michael Griffin (S) re-signed (five-year extension (through 2016)).

The Titans did a so/so job in the FA and draft signings, now let's look at the important games.

Week 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16

Week 1 is against the Patriots (Home)

Week 2 is against the Chargers (Away)

Week 3 is against the Lions (Home)

Week 4 is against the Texans (Away)

Week 6 is against the  Steelers (Home)

Week 7 is against the Bills (Away)

Week 8 is against the Colts (Home)

Week 9 is against the Bears (Home)

Week 13 is against the Texans (Home) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 14 is against the Colts (Away) this is the second meeting between these two teams 

Week 15 is against the Jets (Home)

Week 16 is against the Packers (Away)

The Titans have a grueling schedule, especially right in the beginning. I see the Titans going 10-6 but with their schedule and witht the Texans in the same division, not more will happen.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-9) The Jaguars are a train wreck right now and I don't see them getting back on track this year. Maurice Jones Drew, won't be enough to carry this team, and Chad Henne certainly isn't the QB answer. Let's take a look at the Jaguars off season signings.

Russell Allen (LB) re-signed/restricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Dwight Lowery (S) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Jeremy Mincey (DE) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (four-year contract (though 2015)).

C.J. Mosley (DT) re-signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Laurent Robinson (WR) signed/unrestricted free agent (five-year contract (through 2016)).

Chad Henne (QB) signed/unrestricted free agent (two-year contract (through 2013)).

Aaron Ross (CB) signed/unrestricted free agent (three-year contract (through 2014)).

Brock Bolen (RB) re-signed/exclusive rights free agent.

Zach Potter (TE) re-signed/exclusive rights free agent.

Courtney Greene (S) re-signed/restricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

William Middleton (CB) re-signed/restricted free agent (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Lee Evans (WR) signed (one-year contract (through 2012)).

Andre Branch (DE) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

Mike Harris (CB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015))

Jeris Pendleton (DT) signed/draft choice (four-year contract).

Brandon Marshall (LB) signed/draft choice (four-year contract (through 2015)).

The Jaguars did a pretty job sealing up some holes, but at the end of the day there is way more to be done.

Let's take a look their important games, nah forget about it, after their 2011 season they need any win they can get. I think the Jaguars will end up 7-9 and in last place.

What are your thoughts on the AFC South?

Why your at it why not follow me on twitter @johnnyboy1286 or @sportsblaggah

And also like us on Facebook Sports Blaggah

Ranting

So the time is upon us, the start of a new NFL year. 16 regular season games and 2 playoff games all in rout of the big game. What teams will be there in the end? What teams will have surprised us this year? and of course what teams will leave us shaking our heads. With all  the craziness that happend when the lockout ended we came out from behind the smoke and found this out. Nothing is guarenteed and NOTHING is untouchable, I'm going to try and tell you who I think is a winner and who is a loser this year. I will start with the.....

AFC East.

New England Patriots~ Ok so maybe I'm bias to this team as the are my home team, and the team I love but I don't care what you think this is my blog ;).
The patriots added alot of talent and grit this year, but can that talent and grit get them over the playoff hump that they so despereatly need to get over. Yes I think this is the year that they get back on track and dominate the NFL once again. Critics and sports analyst all say that defense wins chamionships and Belicheck is right were he belongs, Nuff said

New York Jets~ I truly feel that the Jets are a contender and will make alot of noise this year (no surprise when they have the loudest coach ever). They have all the pieces in place on defense to dominate pretty much any team. Will that get them to the superbowl? I don't think so, as much as the -players like to play for Rex Ryan there is something still lacking.*Heart* they just don't seem to wanna give the last amount of effort and instead they would rather talk and bitch.

Buffalo Bills~ Not a whole lat I can say on this team as my friend Chris already talked about them but with Fitzpatrick throwing the ball, and the defense that they put together then why the heck not.

Miami Dolphins~ I don't see much coming from these guys this year, with the "resigning" of Jason Taylor and not getting a QB (yet to be determined because Garrad is out there now). I just can't see them being a contender

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens~ Joe Flaco is a stud and will win a super bowl one day, I'm almost 99% sure. Will he win it this year? I think they have a pretty good chance to pull of a great season but with a defense thats getting up there in age I just can't see it hapening. They do have a great wide reciever in Boldin, but once again I think it will fizzle out at the end

Cincinnati Bengals~ Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco made the right decision in getting out of their. This team is one wick away from a bomb, not to much more to say

Cleveland Browns~ A brand new head coach and second year QB under a new coach sounds to me like a cinderella story. However this cinderella story will not happen this year, Peyton Hillis and Joshua Cribbs are just not enough to run the show. Next year Cleveland, next year

Pittsburgh Steelers~ Defending AFC champions are back and ready to defend, will they? absolutley they will great defense and their offense is just as good look for them to control the AFC North for most of the year

AFC South

Houston Texans~ Adrian Foster might be out for awhile but they still have Andre Johnson and a good QB. Houston is going to be a contender this year and with the troubles that the Colts are having then this could be the year for the Texans to finally come out of the shadows.

Indianapolis Colts~ Peyton Manning is hurt (for how long noybody knows) and your starting QB is Kerry Collins. I will not put Collins down but this is Peyton's team, they are going to have a giant hole to climb out of when Peyton finally returns if he does this year.

Jacksonville Jaguars~ Eh what can I say about this team,they cut their pro bowl QB yesterday. Hmmm rebuilding year??

Tennessee Titians~ Well Kerry Collins is gone, Vince young is gone, so know you have .....Matt Hasselbeck, and a new coach. I'm iffy on this team they could be good and they could be bad, I just don't know. The one true spotlight is Chris Johnson, who will def put up alot of numbers

AFC West

Denver Broncos~ Josh Mcdaniels is gone and so are pretty much all his draft picks, what you got in return is John Elway running the show and John Fox managing the team, sounds like a winning combination to me. I look for them to be in the running along with San Diego

Kanas City Chiefs~ Great team last year, and possibly this year too. They have a good QB in Matt Cassel and a great running game, oh and their defense is not bad either ;). I look for them to be close to the top in the AFC West but have trouble with the Chargers and the Broncos

Oaklan Raiders~ They lost the only piece that made their defense good so I don't see them being a factor this year. Maybe next year Oakland

San Diego Chargers~ Great QB in Rivers and a decent defense, I look to them to be great but not until the end of the year when they hit their stride.

NFC North

Chicago Bears~ Fantastic defense so so QB in Cutler, bad offensive line. I don't expect to much ouot of them but then again that defense. Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher, whoah buck

Detroit Lions~ Good QB, great mix of old and young defense (oh did I mention fast) this is going to be a team to watch this year. I know it has the Green Bay Packers in the same division but Detriot will make some heads spin this year

Green Bay Packers~ The Super Bowl champs are back to defend their title and with Matthews and Rodgers they will defentley be a team to beat. Not a whole lot more I can say about them

Minnesota Vikings ~ Childress is gone, Farve is retired (HA!), and know Mcnabb is there. they lost alot of key pieces and I'm not sure Peterson can be the running back he once was. They are defentley a wait and see

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons~ Great team all around from Ryan to their defense I expect them to be right in the thick of things maybe this year I will get my dream super bowl match up Falcons and Patriots

Carolina Panthers~ New coach and new QB once again it's a combination that might be a cinderella story, Cam Newton in my eyes is not the savior but he has shown some poise and some attributes of a winning QB

New Orleans Saints~ Drew Brees and Sean Payton are at it again, and with Mark Ingram running the ball you can bet that Who Dat nation is excited for this year, as am I

Tampa Bay Buccaneers~ Josh Freeman is a great QB and the rest of them team is young and fast. I fully expect them to come out firing on all cylinders

NFC East~

Dallas Cowboys~ Offensive weapons, great defense, but not so great QB. It will defentley be tough for first time head coach Jason Garrett but with Buddy Ryan coaching the defense I feel that they can be contender.

New York Giants~ Tom Coughlin is going to be on the hot seat this year and with all the injuries that has happened to his secondary it won't end good either. Am I bitter towards this team? Hell yes I am I dispise the Giants (bitter New England fan what can I say)

Philadelphia Eagles~ The self proclaimed "Dream Team" is nothing more then that a Dream, they have alot of talent don't get me wrong,but a huge amount of ego. This will not be the year for them and Andy Reed is going to get some flack. Look for them to beat the good teams but fault on the bad ones

Washington Redskins~ Whoomp Whoomp that is all

NFC West

Arizona Cardinals~With the addition of Kevin Kolb and of course having Larry Fitzgerald, this team will be right up there in the division. I fully expect them to be a decent team

San Francisco 49er's~ I  don't think the 49er's will have the same success as they did last year. They did loose some good players and kept on a so so QB, all and all maybe 8-8

Seattle Seahawks~ Tavaris Jackson is not the answer for Pete Caroll but they did make it to the playoff's last year so this could be a team to watch. Look for them to have a decent run.

St Louis Rams~ Awesome QB and good defense,look for the Rams to be a sleeper this year and give the Cardinals some trouble.