Argus NFL Expert Brian Valerio previews the NFL Season in a four-part series. In the second of four articles, Valerio takes a look at the top teams in the AFC South and AFC West.
AFC SOUTH:
1. Indianapolis Colts: The Indianapolis Colts have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Peyton Manning’s ability to read defenses and get the ball in the hands of the playmakers around him is unmatched. Marvin Harrison, Reggie Wayne, and Brandon Stokley form the most talented receiver trio in the NFL. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes should be able to combine for similar numbers to the departed Edgerrin James. The defense carried the Colts early last season, but as the season wore on their play diminished. Defensive ends Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis combined for 22.5 sacks last season, and they will need to duplicate their production for this defense to play its best. Look for the Colts to have another impressive regular season this year and lose in the divisional round of the playoffs.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars will face a much more difficult schedule this year. The Jaguars offense will be led once again by inconsistent quarterback Byron Leftwich. Last season Leftwich completed only 57.9 percent of his passes. Fred Taylor returns as the starting running back, but one can only wonder how long it will be before he starts missing series and games due to injuries. The Jags are going to try to replace the retired Jimmy Smith with former first round picks Reggie Williams, Matt Jones, and Ernest Wilford who led the team with seven touchdown receptions and finished second with 41 receptions last season. The defense, lead by mammoth defensive tackle John Henderson and linebacker Mike Peterson should carry the Jaguars to an 8-8 year.
3. Tennessee Titans: The Titans are in for a difficult year. The quarterback situation is a major concern, but Kerry Collins should step in and provide some stability at the position.
4. Houston Texans: Passing on Reggie Bush in the draft will prove to be a Sam Bowie-esque mistake. Look for the Texans to have another 4-12 year and Carr to get sacked 70 times.
AFC WEST:
1. San Diego Chargers: The San Diego Chargers suffered a difficult 9-7 season last year. The big question with the Chargers is whether Phillip Rivers can produce as a starting quarterback in the NFL. Rivers was drafted 4th overall in the 2004 NFL draft, but has had limited playing time since being drafted. Rivers’s transition to starting should be aided by the tremendous talent that surrounds him. LaDainian Tomlinson and Antonio Gates are arguably the best players at their positions in the NFL. Tomlinson is a threat to score every time he touches the ball whether on a run or catching the ball out of the backfield. Antonio Gates has caught 81 and 89 passes the previous two seasons and seems to be getting better every year. Second year linebacker Shawne Merriman leads the Chargers defense. Look for Merriman to improve his performance from last season and emerge as one of the top linebackers in football. If Phillip Rivers is able to manage the offense and make some big throws, look for the Chargers in January.
2. Denver Broncos: The Denver Broncos had a very good season last year that ended with a frustrating loss to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. The Broncos have high expectations for this season and anything less than a playoff run will be a disappointment. Jake Plummer had a career year last season, with a 90.2 QB rating and 18 touchdown passes against on seven interceptions. The Broncos are planning on using a rotation at running back that includes burner Tatum Bell and undrafted rookie Mike Bell. Javon Walker should be the consistent deep threat that Ashley Lelie never was. Al Wilson, D.J. Williams, and Ian Gold are all fast athletic linebackers. Champ Bailey is a shutdown corner who can take a team’s number one receiver out of the game.
3. Kansas City Chiefs: The Chiefs will contend for a playoff spot and could finish atop the division in front of both San Diego and Denver. Larry Johnson leads the offense and should finish with close to 2,000 rushing yards this season.
4. Oakland Raiders: Look for the Raiders to draft Brady Quinn in next April’s draft.
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