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AFC
SOUTH |
| Jim's
Outlook |
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Cyd's
Outlook |
TENNESSEE
TITANS
Outlook: The Titans used to play in
Adelphia Stadium until that company joined the corporate perp
walk. Now it's Kissin' Cousins Field or something like that.
Whatever, it's a good home advantage for Tennessee, which looks
poised to come back from a bummer in 2001. Steve McNair and Eddie
George are healthy, which means the offense is fine. The defense
is unproven, especially in the secondary, but will get better as
the season goes on.
Forecast: The Titans crash the playoff party after a year
absence and lose to the Steelers in the AFC title game. |
1 |
INDIANAPOLIS
COLTS
Outlook: New head coach Tony Dungy seems to
have done a great job transitioning this team: keeping the
same offensive coordinator (and, seemingly, the same philosophy)
while focusing on defense. While losing some players from
last year's defense (not such a bad thing), he got a couple hot
free agents and some instant-impact rookies for the defensive
line. He also added more speed to the offense in acquiring
WR Qadry Ismail and RB Ben Gay, and some sure hands in TE
Jermaine Wiggins. Why will this team not win the
division? You'd have to tell me.
Forecast: 12-4. Dungy finally gets an
offense to work with and takes the Colts right to the top. |
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Outlook: I enjoy the NFL Sunday Ticket commercial where
Peyton Manning would rather read his playbook than play on a
tropical beach. In Manning's case, it's probably not an act. This
is the same player who took notes during a team session on dealing
with the media during his rookie year. Manning is the key to the
Colts season, and if he is on and running back Edgerrin James can
come back from surgery, Indy will be fine. The defense will be
better under new coach Tony Dungy; it's impossible for it to be
much worse.
Forecast: The Colts thrive in their new division and make
it back to the playoffs. |
2 |
TENNESSEE
TITANS
Outlook: This team had an injury-riddled 7-9 season
last year. This year, lots of players are on the "hot
seat": RB Eddie George, QB Steve McNair, and DE Kevin
Carter come to mind. If these guys can get back to the
levels that lead their respective teams to the 1999 Super Bowl,
the Titans
Forecast: 11-5. Potentially the
second-best record in the AFC is only good enough for second in
this division. |
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
Outlook: The Jaguars have changed
their lineup more than an ABC programming exec. Six of their top
seven defensive players are gone, as are several key offensive
starters. QB Mark Brunell, WR Jimmy Smith and RB Fred Taylor are
still dangerous.
Forecast: The Jags start the "Wait 'Til Next Year"
cry in Week 1. |
3 |
JACKSONVILLE
JAGUARS
Outlook: Three years ago the Jags were atop the
AFC. Now, with the loss of even more players to free
agency (OT Tony Boselli and WR Keenan McCardell), coach Tom
Coughlin is saying he has less talent on this team than their
first year in the League. If Fred Taylor can stay healthy,
and they can get Jimmy Smith to play, they could knock off some
teams; otherwise, 4-12 is not out of the question.
Forecast: 6-10. Jacksonville finally
bids Coughlin adieu. |
HOUSTON
TEXANS
Outlook: Religion and football are a
bad combo, one reason I'm not looking forward to the Texans
inaugural season. Owner Robert McNair is a holy roller and top
draft pick, QB David Carr, thanks God way too much for my taste.
"I've been used to being around stability and having role models
and dealing with a man of God. I'm really comfortable around Mr.
McNair and the whole organization," Carr told the Houston
Chronicle. But Carr does look good in sunglasses and a tight
shirt, so some things can be overlooked. This team has some
quality, but little depth. It'll be a long first season.
Forecast: God will be busy with other things and the
Texans go 3-13. |
4 |
HOUSTON
TEXANS
Outlook: David Carr has supplanted
Trent Green as my "hottest man in the NFL." The
former Fresno State quarterback got me watching a lot more
Mountain West games last year; and he'll have me watching more
Texans games this year . . . er - well, I guess that's
unavoidable, since I've never seen one. Neither have the
Texans themselves, and that's simply why they will be bad this
year: not enough talent and not enough time playing
together. And it will start with a blow-out loss to the
Cowboys in week one.
Forecast: 4-12. No breakout season for
the Texans, but they'll show progress. |
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