2012 NFL Predictions: AFC South Division Vegas Odds, Free Picks and Projections: Thanks to a neck injury to Peyton Manning, there was a changing of the guard in the AFC South last season. After the Indianapolis Colts had won seven of the last eight division titles, including two straight, the Houston Texans took advantage of Manning’s absence to claim their first division crown. Manning’s subsequent departure to Denver has opened the door for Houston and the rest of the division for the foreseeable future, and suddenly, the most-predictable division in the NFL has become a lot more interesting. With that in mind, here is a look at how the teams stack up in the AFC South for the 2012 NFL season.
2012 NFL Predictions: AFC South Division Vegas Odds, Picks and Projections
1. Houston Texans (Prediction: 12-4)
Despite being forced to start a third-string rookie QB for most of the season, the Texans made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history and won a playoff game. While offensive stars like Arian Foster, Andre Johnson and Matt Schaub get the headlines, the defense Houston is building deserves a lot of the credit for the team’s success. Young stars like Brian Cushing, J.J. Watt and Johnathan Joseph give the Texans playmakers at every level for a unit that ranked fourth in scoring and second in yards allowed last year. If Schaub and Johnson stay healthy, the offense will be explosive. Throw in the blossoming defense, and the Texans are the class of the division.
2. Tennessee Titans (Prediction: 9-7)
It remains unclear whether veteran Matt Hasselbeck or former first-round pick Jake Locker will start at quarterback this year, but the real key to the Titans’ success will be the play of Chris Johnson. After making a push for the single-season rushing record two years ago, Johnson looked average at best last season following a lengthy holdout. There are serious questions about whether Johnson has the focus and desire to match his speed and explosiveness, and there are also questions about the surgically-repaired knee of top receiver Kenny Britt. With a bend but don’t break defensive mentality and an offense that is likely to be up and down, the Titans will be around the .500 mark once again. Don’t sleep on the incredibly accurate Rob Bironas in the kicking game either. He will be a valuable asset for a team that figures to be in a lot of close games.
3. Indianapolis Colts (Prediction: 6-10)
Losing Peyton Manning to an injury last season has dramatically reshaped this franchise. From perennial division winner to having the first pick in the draft, the silver lining for Indianapolis was landing highly-touted quarterback prospect Andrew Luck. The Colts’ overall lack of talent was exposed without Manning under center, but on the plus side, Luck does have receivers Reggie Wayne and Austin Collie to throw to, along with former Stanford teammate and fellow rookie Coby Fleener at tight end. Still, every rookie QB takes their share of lumps. Luck basically turned Stanford into a national power by himself, and while he has the talent to do the same in Indianapolis, it isn’t going to happen in his rookie season.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars (Prediction: 4-12)
Miraculously, Maurice Jones-Drew led the NFL in rushing last year despite playing for a Jacksonville team that had an embarrassing passing attack. Quarterback Blaine Gabbert was awful as a rookie, and while he insists he wasn’t scared, there is no question that he had happy feet in the pocket at showed no poise under pressure. Adding receive Justin Blackmon in the draft was a step in the right direction, but it is also isn’t a good thing when a rookie is by far your best receiver. Throw in a possible holdout situation with Jones-Drew and an unspectacular defense, and the Jaguars are headed for a rough season.
2012 AFC South Division Odds
9021 HOU Texans -550
9022 JAX Jaguars +2500
9023 IND Colts +2000
9024 TEN Titans +450
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