Will They Get In: AFC/NFC South Edition

Will they get In?

The 2012 NFL season is winding down and the playoff picture is becoming clearer every week. Last week I discussed the AFC/NFC North picture. This week we will discuss the disappointing AFC/NFC South conference playoff picture. We will go into remaining schedules and predictions.

AFC South

Indianapolis Colts: The Packers are not the only team striving for perfection. The Colts are trying to achieve a feat that only the 08 Lions were able to do….go 0-16. Currently the Colts are 0-12 and they even brought in the man who was the QB for the Lions during that stretch, Dan Orlovsky. Games versus the Ravens, Titans, and Texans are for sure losses. It will all come down to the last game at Jacksonville for the Colts to win a game this season. Colts are devoid of talent at all levels and Andrew Luck alone will not be able to turn this team around.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Jaguars have been out of the playoff race for some time. At 3-9 they are in the running for a top 5 selection. I cannot see the Jaguars win more than 1 more game this season. Their focus right now should be finding a coach and a new home. On top of that this offseason should also focus on evaluating if Blaine Gabbert is the answer at QB.

Tennessee Titans: Titans have come on strong and are in the Wild Card hunt. At 7-5 the Titans are battling the Jets and the Broncos/Raider loser for the last WC spot. Steelers or Ravens are going to get the other one. Titans offense is rekindled with CJ2K revival and Hasselbeck’s solid veteran presence. Titans have home games verse the Saints and Jaguars which I predict they will split. They play at Indianapolis Colts which they will win. At 9-6 they will go intoHouston for a game that could determine the playoffs. 10-6 will be the number the Titans and Jets are shooting for. A tie-breaker will determine which will get in.

Houston Texans: I think everyone is rooting for this team. Injuries to Andre Johnson, Mario Williams, Arian Foster, Matt Schuab, and Matt Leinheirt should have ended their season. Yet, they are 9-3 and winning with their third string, rookie quarterback, TJ Yates. The Texans are winning with a strong run game and a dominate defense. Their last four games the Texans play 2 at home and 2 on the road. At home the Texans play the Panthers and Titans which I think they will split. Texans play at Cincinnati and at Indianapolis which I think they will split. Finishing 11-5 with a home playoff game will show that the Texans are becoming one of the elite teams in the NFL. If the Texans still had Schuab I would say the Super Bowl is a real possibility.

NFC South

Tampa Bay Buccs: I got ridiculed in the offseason for saying this was the most over rated team in the NFL. Last year was a fluke and their roster is filled with youth and some serious flaws. Buccs are 4-8 and at most will win 1-2 more games. The offseason should be spent improving the interior OL, obtaining speed at offensive skill positions, and fixing the back seven of the defense. This offseason is very important to the Buccs and Raheem Morris’ job security.

Carolina Panthers: Panthers are improving daily. At 4-8 the Panthers show real promise going forward. The Panthers might win one more but they have a tough remaining schedule. At 5-11 the Panthers need to improve the receiving core and secondary. I would not want to play this team next season with an improved Cam Newton and company.

Atlanta Falcons: Falcons should make it to the playoffs for back to back seasons. The Atlanta Falcons have never accomplished this feat before. They are 7-5 and have a tie breaker versus the Lions and are much healthier than the Bears. They have home games versus the Jaguars and Buccs which they will win. On the road at Carolina and New Orleans they will split. At 10-6 they will make it into the playoffs where anything can happen. To win a game in the playoffs Matt Ryan will need to play much more consistent and the run game will need to improve.

New Orleans Saints: Meet the only team capable of defeating the Packers. Problem is they will have to go to Green Bay and the Saints do not travel well…nor play outside well. Drew Brees is a machine right now and has as many weapons around him as anyone in the NFL. The defense plays well enough and special teams are not a problem. Saints could finish the season at 13-3 and might pass the 49ers for the 2^nd seed and a 1^st Round Bye. At worse they will be 12-4 and host a playoff game and than travel to San Francisco. No matter what happens I would be shocked if the Packer and Saints do not meet up for the NFC championship game.

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