AFC South Breakdown: Week 9
(Jeanne Alexis writes for Black & Teal, which is FSB’s Jacksonville Jaguars blog. Representing the rest of the AFC South are Naptown’s Finest, Titan Sized and Toro Times.)
As this season goes on, it becomes harder and harder for me write these things. Having a team that is bad at everything except disappointment disheartens me. Writing about how awesome the Titans are is the reason I grind my teeth at night. I just have to take a deep breath and go with it.
The Titans are dominating a weak class of AFC teams. They continued to showed what they were made of as they took on the NFC with the Green Bay Packers. The game went into overtime but the Titans squeaked out a win to stay the only undefeated team in the league. The Colts took on the Patriots as one of the most promising games of the season. Well, one of the most promising games until the Colts started to stutter and the Patriots lost Tom Brady. It was still an exciting game but not the match up that we as shallow football fans crave. Despite not having a story line, the Colts had Bob Sanders back and they pulled out the win. The Texans and Jaguars were not so lucky. Each suffered another painful defeat as they struggled to see who can be more disappointing. I know you’re trying hard, Houston, but the Jaguars have further to fall so I don’t think you can win even this battle.
Looking back: Two important stats: the Texans had more total yards and had a greater time of possession in their game against the Vikings. Looking at that, you would think that the Texans won the game. Isn’t it wonderful how you can pick and choose stats to tell your story? However, there is another key stat. The Texans turned over the ball three times. I think it is somewhat odd that Sage Rosenfels was quoted as saying, “If we can just eliminate those mistakes, we’re as good as any offense, any team in this league.” Hmm, I wonder who is the one making those costly mistakes, Mister Rosenfels?
Looking forward: The Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens at home in their next game. Matt Schaub is out for at least two weeks because of an injury sustained during the Vikings game. Baltimore is a better team than the Vikings so it would be no surprise if the Texans suffered another loss, especially with the loss of Schaub. Sorry, guys.
Looking back: When the Colts played the Patriots in years past, it was hyped up as the trial for the Super Bowl. Maybe even better than the Super Bowl. That definitely wasn’t the case this time around. Both teams are struggling to restore themselves to last year’s glory. However, that doesn’t mean the game wasn’t good. It just wasn’t as good. The led line on NFL.com story is, “Adam Vinatieri still has it.” You know it is a good game when it involves the Colts, the Patriots and Adam Vinatieri.
Looking forward: Bob Sanders looks like her has returned to old form and hopefully for Colts fans this means that the Colts’ defense will no longer be the laughing stock at the run defense reunions. The Colts take on the Steelers next week for another exciting match up. The Steelers are fighting to stay on top as the Colts are aiming for a wild card spot. The game is at Pittsburgh which is always hard for the away team but I think the Colts are going to feel revitalized with Bob Sanders back and a W next to the Patriots game.
Looking back: Rumors have it that the Jacksonville Jaguars started a professional football team against the Cincinnati Bengals. Upon further investigation, these rumors have proved to be misleading. While it is true that the Jaguars did start a team against the Bengals, the professional team only showed up in the second half.
Looking forward: The Jaguars gave the city of Cincinnati a collective sigh of relief as they fell to the Bengals. Will they do it for the Lions? I would like to say that they won’t, that they can’t, but my faith in this team is completely shattered. I doubt that Del Rio will allow this performance to continue but with the way the Jaguars are returning to old form, they will lose to the Lions only to go on and beat the Titans. They lose against teams they have every right of beating and win against teams that no one expects them to. Let me tell you, as a fan, it sucks.
Looking back: The Titans squeaked out another win against the Green Bay Packers to remain undefeated. It sounded like an awesome game to watch but of course the Jacksonville area didn’t get it. We instead got to watch the NFC East lovefest. Play a rival team’s game in the area? Never, says Jacksonville TV stations! The Titans won it in overtime through a field goal. They were helped in part by the fact that their quarterback had no turn overs for the sixth time this season. Gosh, I bet that is a weird thing for them to realize.
Looking forward: The Titans lucked out. Sexy Rexy will be starting in the place of a battered Kyle Orton. With the way the Titans play, I fully expect gunslinger turnovers. There is no way they lose this game after the way they played against the Packers. Also, part of me wants them to go undefeated for the chance that the Jaguars break their winning streak. Yeah, this girl still has hope. It is sort of sad, isn’t it?