2008 AFC South Predictions

The South has emerged as the toughest division in the AFC. Find out if the Titans or the Jaguars can dethrone the Colts in Jeff Alexander’s 2008 AFC South predictions.

1^st – Indianapolis Colts: 15-2 odds to win the Super Bowl

By avoiding any major losses in free agency, the Colts should once again reign atop the South. They kept their offense in tact by signing stud tight end Dallas Clark and then devoted seven of 10 draft picks on offensive players. A case of the injury bug appears to be the only thing which could keep Indy from winning its sixth straight division title. As long as Peyton Manning continues to suit up and strong safety Bobby Sanders is healthy to lead the defense, you can chalk Indy up for at least 12 wins. The betting line on Indianapolis is 8-13 odds to win the AFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

2^nd – Jacksonville Jaguars: 12-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

The Jags know they’re going to have to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts if they want to win this division and that’s been much easier said than done. The Colts have taken down the Jags in nine of 12 meetings since 2002, including twice last season. Jack Del Rio traded four draft picks to get two of the drafts best pass rushers in Derrick Harvey and Quentin Groves. These guys are no doubt talented but they won’t be the terrors they were in college instantly. The Colts will continue to rule the South until these guys are ready to get constant pressure on Manning. The Jags will beat most everyone else and will be making another trip to the postseason. The betting line on Jacksonville is 2-1 odds to win the AFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

3^rd – Tennessee Titans: 45-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

The Titans drafted Vince Young two seasons ago but are yet to put any playmakers around him. This was very evident a season ago when he struggled. The defense was able to pick up the slack and that will have to be the case again. The only quality receiver Tennessee added was tight end Alge Crumpler. This team still needs a relevant deep threat to stretch the defense so that Young can do what he does best – run. This doesn’t look like a team capable of getting back to the playoffs, but they didn’t look like a playoff team last season either. The betting line on Tennessee is 6-1 odds to win the AFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

4^th – Houston Texans: 60-1 odds to win the Super Bowl

This could be the year that this 2002 expansion franchise finally gets over the hump. A win over Jacksonville in the 16^th game last year to finish .500 certainly has things looking more and more optimistic. The Texans addressed their suspect running back situation by adding Chris Brown via free agency and Steve Slaton in the draft. Questions remain on the offensive line and on defense, but there is evidence of improvement in both areas. That Texans just had that one win in division play last season and that may be all they get again, but the team should be better with a healthy Matt Schaub under center for an entire season. The betting line on Houston is 12-1 odds to win the AFC South Division at BodogLife.com.

2008 AFC South Predictions

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