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Conference Preview: AFC

By Aric Manthey

Feb 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of NFL Wilson football and NFL shield logo helmet at the peristyle end of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Coliseum will serve as the home of the Los Angeles Rams for the 2016 season after NFL owners voted 30-2 to allow Rams owner Stan Kroenke (not pictured) to relocate the franchise from St. Louis. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 25, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of NFL Wilson football and NFL shield logo helmet at the peristyle end of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Coliseum will serve as the home of the Los Angeles Rams for the 2016 season after NFL owners voted 30-2 to allow Rams owner Stan Kroenke (not pictured) to relocate the franchise from St. Louis. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /
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2nd Place: Indianapolis Colts

2016 Record: 9-7

Explanation:  This team was tough to give a prediction to. On one hand, this team is led by the

Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Colts at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 6, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on the field before the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Colts at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 45-10. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

highest paid player in the NFL and he has the ability to carry the team on his back but on the other hand, we have no idea how healthy that player will be heading into the season.

Another important thing to keep in mind with this team is, have they done enough to help Luck lead this team back into Super Bowl contention? Based on the record I gave them, my answer would be no.

While they do have blue chip talent sprinkled throughout their roster, there is enough questions about their depth on both sides of the football to wonder how well this team will hold up through the whole season.

So what are some of the things that they have going for them? Well, aside from QB, they should feel good about their

-WR core

-Oline

-Secondary

-Specialists

And that’s about it.  While I admire Frank Gore and what he’s accomplished in his career, there’s no way the Colts can expect him to hold up for the length of the entire season.  Behind him, there’s a few  journeymen and an undrafted rookie that they gave a big signing bonus to.

In other words, that cupboard is bare. On the other side of the ball, how well will this front 7 hold up?  Aside from D’Qwell Jackson and Robert Mathis, does anybody in that defensive front seven pose a serious threat to their opponents?

Does this team have talent? Absolutely. Do they have one of the best players in the NFL? No doubt about it. The problem for the Colts is, football is a team game. At some point, they need to address the depth problem that has been plaguing their roster for years and expect more from their non-starters than just a roster spot.

Until they do that, I have a hard time seeing them as World champs. 9-7 may be enough to get them in the postseason and make some noise(if they get there), but  make no mistake, the success of this team will hinge on Andrew Luck and his health.

Division Champs: Jacksonville Jaguars

2016 Record: 10-6

Explanation: I know, this is a big leap for a 5-11 team.  It may seem like a stretch to give a team

Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A view of a Jacksonville Jaguars helmet before the game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 13, 2015; Jacksonville, FL, USA; A view of a Jacksonville Jaguars helmet before the game against the Carolina Panthers at EverBank Field. The Panthers defeat the Jaguars 20-9. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

with so many recent woes such a favorable record in 2016, but we have to remember that this a team no longer devoid of talent. On offense, everything goes in pairs.

Aside from the Hurns/Robinson combination on the outside, the Jags also sport a dangerous pair of TE’s in Julius Thomas and Mercedes Lewis along with a thunderous backfield led by Pro Bowler Chris Ivory and TJ Yeldon.

On defense, former Bronco Malik Jackson will front a unit that is suddenly replenished with young playmakers (Jalen Ramsey, Myles Jack, Tevlin Smith, Teshaun Gipson). Add in vets like Prince Amukamara and Paul Posluszny and suddenly, this defense looks formidable.  Strength of the roster is just one area where I believe the Jaguars have the advantage. They also have the coaching staff and front office in place to make the jump.

To be specific, I think the guys on the sidelines are poised to make a jump because quite frankly, they have to. With the last three seasons finishing with 5 or less wins, Jacksonville’s coaching staff is in a “do or die” situation. They could afford to have losing records when they first came to Jacksonville, but this is a team that has undergone a metamorphosis. Aside from acquiring talent, this team has birthed a new culture that is positive and upbeat about their chances in the AFC.

In a lot of ways, this team reminds me a lot of the Steelers. While Bortles is not in Roethlisberger’s class in terms of career achievements, he proved that he can play at a high level in the NFL and he has the necessary talent around him to become elite.

With everybody else in their division faced with questions ranging from ownership strife to depth concerns on their roster,  I believe that the Jags have the amount of talent and optimism necessary to make the jump in the AFC South.  The biggest enemy to their success in 2016 is themselves. If they can make the most of their opportunities, then I believe the Jaguars will win the AFC South.

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