AFC South Division Winner… Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Allen Hurns leads the Jaguars in receiving yards and touchdowns.
My thinking… Hurns did it last season as an undrafted rookie; Blake Bortles trusts him; he’s an un-questioned starter now that Cecil Shorts is in Houston; Julius Thomas is hurt; Hurns should see an uptick in targets; the Jaguars will trail often; Hurns won’t face double teams; and he is the Jaguars’ vertical threat.
Telvin Smith becomes the next great and unheralded weak side linebacker in the NFL.
My thinking… 102 tackles in only 9 starts in his rookie season; the Jaguars will be on the field a lot; Smith can play on all three downs (4.5 speed, competent in coverage, excellent against the run, sideline-to-sideline motor); the leader of a Championship defense in college; and the Jaguars won’t get much National exposure, think Thomas Davis of the Carolina Panthers when it’s all said and done.
Blake Bortles averages more than one interception a game.
My thinking… Bortles threw 17 interceptions in 14 games (13 starts); still question marks along the offensive line; Jaguars putting a lot of faith in T.J. Yeldon (not a fan); the Jaguars will be playing from behind a lot; Julius Thomas is hurt and Bortles didn’t demonstrate any improvement last season. I do think the Jaguars will be more competitive in 2014 but due to the sum of the parts, not because Bortles takes a substantial step forward.
Tennessee Titans
Kendall Wright leads the AFC South in receptions.
My thinking… so many mouths to feed in Indianapolis; Brian Hoyer is the starting QB in Houston (sorry “Nuk“); the Jaguars’ passing offense will be among the worst in the NFL; Wright is healthy; Wright has developed an obvious rapport with Marcus Mariota; if something were to happen to Mariota, Zach Mettenberger can spin it; Wright had 94 receptions as recently as 2013.
Houston Texans
Brian Hoyer and Ryan Mallet start eight games each.
My thinking… Hoyer is better suited as a backup and Mallet can’t get out of his own way; Arian Foster is hurt; Arian Foster could aggravate a past injury at any time and re-injure himself when healthy; the Texans have to score points to beat the Colts; and neither quarterback demonstrates any consistency.
Jadeveon Clowney has double digit sacks.
My thinking… Clowney is a phenomenal athlete and talent; he’s the healthiest he’s been in a calendar year; he won’t be double teamed; he’s smart enough to understand that he has to put the work in; Clowney appears to be taking to coaching; and J.J. Watt is a monster.
Indianapolis Colts
Andrew Luck throws 57 touchdowns breaking Peyton Manning’s single season record of 55.
My thinking… Luck threw 40 TDs in 2014; Luck threw 17 more TDs in 2014 than he did in 2012 (23) and 2013 (23); 40+17 = 57; Luck has the best compliment of weapons he’s had in his four-year career; Luck plays in the AFC South (in 6 games versus the AFC South in 2014 16 TDs/3 INTs); Luck is setting himself up for the richest contract in NFL History; and Luck is on the CPGM Fantasy team in the www.couchpotatogm.com Fantasy Football league (6 pts. per TD).
