2010 NFL Predictions: AFC South

Jaguars, Titans, Texans, Colts. One of these four teams left Baltimore in the middle of the night 25+ years ago for Indianapolis. (That's like trading a Chris Hoiles Donruss card for a forth-year Benito Santiago Upper Deck.) The other three teams didn't exist until after Justin Beiber was born. Ergo, the AFC South doesn't possess the historic rivalries of say the NFC East or North. (No fan ever got in a fight at a Texans-Jags game for wearing a Mark Brunell jersey in Houston.)

1. Indianapolis Colts (13-3)
Although most people outside of Indiana couldn't name a Colts wide receiver (no, no DBSF what about that black French guy), Peyton Manning should have little trouble carving up the 17th (Texans), 26th (Jags), and 31st (Titans) pass defenses. As for the Colts weakness, Defense (actually would be strong for most teams, but in comparison to their offense), they used their first three draft picks on the non-Peyton Manning side of the ball.

2. Houston Texans (10-6)
Matt Schaub putts up Madden on rookie numbers while looking like he's an Assistant Branch Manager at an exurbian Wachovia. DBSF likes that--Texans win their first playoff game.

3. Tennessee Titans (6-10)
The Titans finished strong in winning 8 of their last 10 and have a spectacular running back, whose name most football fans only know because of his fantasy value. But, with Vince Young at the helm the Titans possibilities are limited. Young, like phenom RB Chris Johnson, is a threat when he runs. Johnson, like Young, is not a threat to pass. Teams will likely pick up on this. Don't be surprised to see opposing defenses line up in goal line defense on 3rd and 15+.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14)
LA Clippers analogy joke, check. Brady Quinn-deprecating humor, check. Not much left for the bottom of the barrel teams. David Garrard legitimately seems like he might be the nicest guy in the NFL, so it's difficult to Brady Quinn him. But, giving him that $60 million extension two seasons ago makes the contract the Phoenix Suns gave Penny Hardaway seem reasonable. Verdict: the Jags are entering a rebuilding half-decade.