Lets take a trip to the south for our first stop, the AFC Southern division. This division for the past couple of years has been run by the Indianapolis Colts and their star quarterback, Andrew Luck. But with the way things have been going this far into the new season, it looks like things might be different. Lets look at what each team has done so far.
Houston Texans: 3-1, 1st in the division
Grade: A
Lets not get it misconstrued, the only reason I'm giving the Houston Texans an A, is not because of the fact they are 3-1. In fact, I'm giving them an A+ because at the beginning of the season, if you would have told me that they would be 3-1 while Indianapolis is 2-2, I would have laughed at you uncontrollably. This team was believed to be dead in the water, hell look at them. No running game, the QB is a joke, Andre Johnson either needs to retire or ask to be traded, and what makes matters worse is that they had a chance at Johnny Manziel and instead took Jadeveon Clowney, and he hasn't played a snap in the NFL regular season yet. And still, they are 3-1. This team, who everyone had in the dumps this year, is becoming more and more of a threat because of one reason and one reason alone: J.J. Watt and that monster of a defense. They are ranked 24th in rushing defense, which is bad, but to then turn around and be ranked 14th in passing defense is incredible. It also means they are getting to the QB at will and no team short of the New York Giants were able to tear them apart. The only thing that seems like a kink in their proverbial Blue and Texas red armor is the fact that neither there run or pass game can get off the ground. And while they have a stout defense, they haven't played any legit adversary yet, and even non-threats have put up an average of 237 passing yards and 130 rushing yards. Lets hope for there sake that J.J. Watt can keep playing like he wants a MVP and that Clowney comes back, or this team will be in trouble going towards the half-way point of the season.
Next 4 games: at Dallas, vs Indianapolis, at Pittsburgh, at Tennessee
Difficulty: 6.5/10
Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-4, 4th in division
Grade: F
Okay, I really don't want go into how bad this team is so I've decided to just give you 4 sentences for the situation in Jacksonville.
1.) Your team is horrible and both sides have some good talent but not complimentary pieces.
2.) Blake Bortles and Marqise Lee are going to be your future, build around them.
3.) When you get the first or second round pick next year, draft Amari Cooper. Trust me
4.) Despite what loyal Jacksonville fans want, if your team doesn't play well, it will be moved to L.A., but at least you'll still be in a warm state.
Next 4 games: vs Pittsburgh, at Tennessee, vs Cleveland, vs Miami
Difficulty: 9/10
Tennessee Titans: 1-3, 3rd in division
Grade: D
Okay, this team is a bit of quandary, not because of how good or obviously bad this team has played. It because I thought with the pieces they collected via the draft and the fact that Ken Whisenhunt chose this team over the Detroit Lions( which looks insane now), they would be where Houston is right now, or at least in second place of the division. They main issue is that this team can't stop ANYONE from passing it, but has a defensive line that stop the run. So hopefully they can catch their stride and look at it this way: Atleast you won a game, which is more than can be said for the team below you.
Next 4 games: vs Cleveland, vs Jacksonville, at Washington, vs Houston
Difficulty: 8.5/10
Indianapolis Colts: 2-2, 2nd in division
Grade: B
Now this grade of a B isn't because of who they beat, actually its because who they lost to. Ill give you that Philadelphia soundly came back and whooped the Colts, but that isn't my beef with this team. My beef is with that first game. You are down against the Denver Broncos, make a comeback, and your defense can't hold steady and stop a overrated( ill get to that later in the week) Denver Broncos. And for Broncos fans reading this, calm down because you didnt win by 20, you won by 7, meaning victory wasn't fully in your grasp. Now to the Colts, you should be 3-1 alongside Houston, but as of now I'm giving you the B for the first four game because what I stated above and because you beat who you were supposed to be, Jacksonville and Tennessee, soundly. This season for should be the season where Andrew Luck proves the hype around him is real, because for people like Donovan McNabb and Jaws of ESPN to crown him the 5th best QB in the league (which is a farther stretch than saying the name Stretch Armstrong) he needs to prove it against tough opponents. Luckily ( get it) he will have that opportunity.
Next 4 games: vs Baltimore, at Houston, vs Cincinnati, at Pittsburgh
Difficulty: 8/10
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