Post by Cincinnati Bengals (Chris) on Sept 3, 2017 5:23:14 GMT -5
AFC SOUTH
Continuing with our Divisional Preview series, this time we take a look at the AFC South, a division that experienced quite a down year compared to 2015, when it produced three playoff teams and the league champion (Jacksonville). This year, the division will be breaking in two new GMs, Laura (TEN) and (HOU) whenever we find an owner for them. However, this year the division promises to be more competitive, with J.R. on the rise for the first time in several years. Can he or one of the other two teams pose a legitimate threat to Jordan at the top of the division? Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Houston Texans (League Owned)
Last year’s finish: 21st (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: After at least 7 years in the MFL/NFFL/CDFL, Erik, the financier of the league (A better financier, may I say, than Michael Vick was of Bad Newz Kennelz), decided to leave us. He left on somewhat of a discordant note, going 5-7 after a division-winning 9-3 in 2015. But the uneven roster he left behind suggests it might have been the right time. Quarterback is a weak spot (Whether Trevor Siemian or Tom Savage is the starter, as there is a trade afoot at the writing of this preview), but there is still considerable theoretical talent among the offensive skill position players (If Ameer Abdullah, Laquon Treadwell, Zay Jones and Coby Fleener ever live up to their potential). Depth, however, is also an issue. Defensively, Houston sports one of the deepest units in the league, starting with the stout combination of Mario Edwards Jr. and rookie Jonathan Allen. The Texans have traded away from the league’s deepest linebacking corps, but still sports at least three quality options in Telvin Smith, De’Vondre Campbell and Eric Kendricks. The defensive backfield is perfectly cromulent (Simpsons for the win).
X-factor: Depth. Houston isn’t winning it all this year, so whoever takes over should focus on building around a workable core that Erik left behind and Trey has fostered thus far.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Indianapolis Colts (J.R.)
Last year’s finish: 28th (Division: 4th)
Outlook: J.R. enters this year with his best chance for contention since he entered the league back in 2012. Famous Jameis looks to continue his upward ascent through the QB ranks, and has looked promising so far. Joe Mixon was an incredibly high-upside pick and should have great long-term returns if he can stay out of trouble off the field. He also retains his second RB in Frank Gore, which is a better role for the one-million-year-old back. WR, a position that once looked primed to significantly improve, now faces a more mixed projection. Josh Doctson, the supposed leader of the group, can’t stay healthy to save his life, and has apparently lost the Redskins’ #3 WR job to Ryan Grant for now. Chris Moore, despite the hype last pre-season, has not done anything in the year since, and was just on the right side of roster cuts, locking him into the 5th-string WR spot for now. While Ted Ginn Jr.’s elevation to the first team was welcome news, it seems he’s a temporary placeholder in that spot until Snead returns from his DUI suspension. Tight end is now a mystery with Jesse James being relegated to a committee with the Steelers’ trade for Vance McDonald. Defensively, Indy is decidedly average, but with considerable depth. The defense is highlighted by three average-or-better DL, headed by Fletcher Cox and DeForest Buckner, four average or better LBs (B.J. Goodson, Brian Orakpo, Clay Matthews and Bud Dupree), and several potential high-scoring DBs (Marcus Peters and Trae Waynes) round out what will likely be a top-half unit.
X-factor: WR/TE. If J.R. can make some minimal improvements to these positions, perhaps trading from excess bodies at running back, it would help to solidify two currently suspect units.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Jacksonville Jaguars (Jordan)
Last year’s finish: 5th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: The highest-scoring offense in league-history (By nearly 10-points at 92.32 PPG) returns mostly intact. Aaron Rodgers, David Johnson, Antonio Brown, Tyler Boyd, Latavius Murray and Devontae Booker (Though the last two of those three in reduced roles). C.J. Fiedorowicz was a nice surprise last year, and could help to alleviate some of the point loss expected by young talent that is not yet ready to contribute. The acquisition of Doug Baldwin should help again. The defensive line is underwhelming, but the linebacking corps (If you could call it that), fronted by Kwon Alexander, Jamie Collins is fantastic. The problem is: beyond those two guys is a special teams player and a guy not on a roster. DB is once again well covered by Morgan Burnett, Jaquiski Tartt (Provided he wins back his full-time job this year) and upstart Keith Tandy.
X-factor: Defense. It’s clear that Jordan’s Jags are far and away the class of the division, but the defense, both depth-wise and on the DL, is problematic for a team looking to do serious damage in the playoffs. Without improvement on that side of the ball, especially with statistical regression almost certain, that damage might be self-inflicted with this roster should he meet up with the other conference heavyweights.
Projected division finish: 1st
Tennessee Titans (Laura)
Last year’s finish: 25th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Laura begins her first campaign in the CDFL with a roster that Kirk, the former Titans GM, unfortunately neglected on his way out. The result: There is a lot of work to do. No one stands out on the offensive side, but it’s an average unit (Led by Mike Wallace, C.J. Anderson, Jeremy Maclin, Robert Woods, Gio Bernard and Alex Smith at QB) that could outperform its individual limitations as a group. Beyond those names, there’s not a lot of likely 2017 production on the unit. The defense is a slight improvement, though also average to just above. Von Miller and Lorenzo Alexander (Should he be able to repeat his anomaly 34-year old season career-year) headline the unit. Denzel Perryman also flashes upside, but will unfortunately miss a huge chunk of the season as the Chargers put him on IR (Though he is likely to be one of their designated players to return). Melvin Ingram and a cadre of other players make up an average but deep defensive line. In the defensive backfield, Laura has three options to call upon, but all are average at best. Chances are this team needs some reinforcements to compete at the highest level.
X-factor: Impact players. The Titans are probably topping out as a middle of the pack team this year as currently constituted. Either this season or as part of a long-term plan, the team from the Music City must get some better high-end pieces to make beautiful music (Okay, that one didn’t land. It’s 6 AM and I’m going to bed).
Projected division finish: 4th
Remember to watch out for the third of our divisional previews, as we venture to the NFC to cover the NFC North, which should be up sometime tomorrow or Monday, and then one a day until the start of the year.
Continuing with our Divisional Preview series, this time we take a look at the AFC South, a division that experienced quite a down year compared to 2015, when it produced three playoff teams and the league champion (Jacksonville). This year, the division will be breaking in two new GMs, Laura (TEN) and (HOU) whenever we find an owner for them. However, this year the division promises to be more competitive, with J.R. on the rise for the first time in several years. Can he or one of the other two teams pose a legitimate threat to Jordan at the top of the division? Let me know what you think about my projections and post you own comments. Also, DON’T FORGET to vote in the poll, as that’s the whole point.
Houston Texans (League Owned)
Last year’s finish: 21st (Division: 2nd)
Outlook: After at least 7 years in the MFL/NFFL/CDFL, Erik, the financier of the league (A better financier, may I say, than Michael Vick was of Bad Newz Kennelz), decided to leave us. He left on somewhat of a discordant note, going 5-7 after a division-winning 9-3 in 2015. But the uneven roster he left behind suggests it might have been the right time. Quarterback is a weak spot (Whether Trevor Siemian or Tom Savage is the starter, as there is a trade afoot at the writing of this preview), but there is still considerable theoretical talent among the offensive skill position players (If Ameer Abdullah, Laquon Treadwell, Zay Jones and Coby Fleener ever live up to their potential). Depth, however, is also an issue. Defensively, Houston sports one of the deepest units in the league, starting with the stout combination of Mario Edwards Jr. and rookie Jonathan Allen. The Texans have traded away from the league’s deepest linebacking corps, but still sports at least three quality options in Telvin Smith, De’Vondre Campbell and Eric Kendricks. The defensive backfield is perfectly cromulent (Simpsons for the win).
X-factor: Depth. Houston isn’t winning it all this year, so whoever takes over should focus on building around a workable core that Erik left behind and Trey has fostered thus far.
Projected division finish: 3rd
Indianapolis Colts (J.R.)
Last year’s finish: 28th (Division: 4th)
Outlook: J.R. enters this year with his best chance for contention since he entered the league back in 2012. Famous Jameis looks to continue his upward ascent through the QB ranks, and has looked promising so far. Joe Mixon was an incredibly high-upside pick and should have great long-term returns if he can stay out of trouble off the field. He also retains his second RB in Frank Gore, which is a better role for the one-million-year-old back. WR, a position that once looked primed to significantly improve, now faces a more mixed projection. Josh Doctson, the supposed leader of the group, can’t stay healthy to save his life, and has apparently lost the Redskins’ #3 WR job to Ryan Grant for now. Chris Moore, despite the hype last pre-season, has not done anything in the year since, and was just on the right side of roster cuts, locking him into the 5th-string WR spot for now. While Ted Ginn Jr.’s elevation to the first team was welcome news, it seems he’s a temporary placeholder in that spot until Snead returns from his DUI suspension. Tight end is now a mystery with Jesse James being relegated to a committee with the Steelers’ trade for Vance McDonald. Defensively, Indy is decidedly average, but with considerable depth. The defense is highlighted by three average-or-better DL, headed by Fletcher Cox and DeForest Buckner, four average or better LBs (B.J. Goodson, Brian Orakpo, Clay Matthews and Bud Dupree), and several potential high-scoring DBs (Marcus Peters and Trae Waynes) round out what will likely be a top-half unit.
X-factor: WR/TE. If J.R. can make some minimal improvements to these positions, perhaps trading from excess bodies at running back, it would help to solidify two currently suspect units.
Projected division finish: 2nd
Jacksonville Jaguars (Jordan)
Last year’s finish: 5th (Division: 1st)
Outlook: The highest-scoring offense in league-history (By nearly 10-points at 92.32 PPG) returns mostly intact. Aaron Rodgers, David Johnson, Antonio Brown, Tyler Boyd, Latavius Murray and Devontae Booker (Though the last two of those three in reduced roles). C.J. Fiedorowicz was a nice surprise last year, and could help to alleviate some of the point loss expected by young talent that is not yet ready to contribute. The acquisition of Doug Baldwin should help again. The defensive line is underwhelming, but the linebacking corps (If you could call it that), fronted by Kwon Alexander, Jamie Collins is fantastic. The problem is: beyond those two guys is a special teams player and a guy not on a roster. DB is once again well covered by Morgan Burnett, Jaquiski Tartt (Provided he wins back his full-time job this year) and upstart Keith Tandy.
X-factor: Defense. It’s clear that Jordan’s Jags are far and away the class of the division, but the defense, both depth-wise and on the DL, is problematic for a team looking to do serious damage in the playoffs. Without improvement on that side of the ball, especially with statistical regression almost certain, that damage might be self-inflicted with this roster should he meet up with the other conference heavyweights.
Projected division finish: 1st
Tennessee Titans (Laura)
Last year’s finish: 25th (Division: 3rd)
Outlook: Laura begins her first campaign in the CDFL with a roster that Kirk, the former Titans GM, unfortunately neglected on his way out. The result: There is a lot of work to do. No one stands out on the offensive side, but it’s an average unit (Led by Mike Wallace, C.J. Anderson, Jeremy Maclin, Robert Woods, Gio Bernard and Alex Smith at QB) that could outperform its individual limitations as a group. Beyond those names, there’s not a lot of likely 2017 production on the unit. The defense is a slight improvement, though also average to just above. Von Miller and Lorenzo Alexander (Should he be able to repeat his anomaly 34-year old season career-year) headline the unit. Denzel Perryman also flashes upside, but will unfortunately miss a huge chunk of the season as the Chargers put him on IR (Though he is likely to be one of their designated players to return). Melvin Ingram and a cadre of other players make up an average but deep defensive line. In the defensive backfield, Laura has three options to call upon, but all are average at best. Chances are this team needs some reinforcements to compete at the highest level.
X-factor: Impact players. The Titans are probably topping out as a middle of the pack team this year as currently constituted. Either this season or as part of a long-term plan, the team from the Music City must get some better high-end pieces to make beautiful music (Okay, that one didn’t land. It’s 6 AM and I’m going to bed).
Projected division finish: 4th
Remember to watch out for the third of our divisional previews, as we venture to the NFC to cover the NFC North, which should be up sometime tomorrow or Monday, and then one a day until the start of the year.