NFL Divisional Finals Preview and Predictions: By Kyle Balfour

The Go For It On Fourth 32 for 32 Season Preview:
The 2017 AFC South:

Our third part of our series asking a fan of each team questions on their hopes, dreams and expectations for the season. This time round, it's the AFC South.

Houston Texans: Adam Kelly @gearsofsport (via Cecily Doyle @CoutureWriter)

How was last season for you?

Last season was bittersweet. The success and dominance of the defence was impressive, especially missing JJ. The Brock fiasco was the very bitter part.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

This offseason, dumping Brock was a MUST. It is unfortunate a first round pick had to packed with him, but totally worth it to end the nightmare. Personally, I do not think that Watson is worth what was given up for him. I hope I am wrong. I like the rest of the draft. Foreman is a hard running back to compliment Lamar Miller. Cunningham is a freak athlete with enough “up-side” to justify the third-round pick.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

I’m extremely happy with Tom Savage getting the nod. O’Brien’s system needs familiarity and even Nuk gave Savage his recommendation, which seems to signal a good connection between the two. Watson is a project of a few years, the Texans will get a much better return on the investment if they develop him as such.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

This may be the first time the main man is not the quarterback. JJ Watt owns Houston. He is a freak on the field and a great role model for the fans. Besides him, Brian Cushing is a veteran who is not slowing down. Just take a look at his coverage stats from last year and combine that with his emotion and you have a leader. I think the team’s identity is in its defence so a lot of the leaders are there.

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

The team member with the most pressure is Tom Savage. They gave up a lot for Watson, and sometimes ownership wants to push development. The next person is JJ Watt. Coming back from some serious injuries can be difficult but if anyone can, its him. Big things are expected from Mr. Watt. Coaching wise, the pressure is on O’Brien as he is touted as a QB developer and now has to make Watson an NFL ready Quarterback, and after the Brock situation, failure is not an option.

How did you come to support your team?

I became a Texans fan because I’m a big fan of JJ Watt, Vince Wilfork (come out of retirement please!) and Brian Cushing since his days with Clay at USC. Then a friend, who is a Texans fan, fit all the pieces together for me, and since I like these players and I’m a fan of strong defence it just made sense.

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

For new fans, this is an exciting team. If you’re a football purist, you will appreciate Romeo and Mike’s defence, and the grinding hard-nosed players on it. New age fans that love offence, well the Quarterback is a question but there are weapons like Nuk, Lamar Miller, Fuller, Strong and Ellington that can definitely put on a show.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

Tom Savage is experienced in the system and has weapons around him. Biggest optimism is the defence. This defence is Super Bowl calibre.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

The Quarterback position, despite finding positives, is the biggest point of concern. Tennessee is starting to play good football, the Colts are building in the right direction too, but not division title yet, but the division is getting better.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

Can I say Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers?

Is DeShaun Watson the quarterback the Texans have needed for years?

He could be, definitely not yet. They must develop him the right way and not rush it.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

They will win the division. The defence will be top in the NFL again. The record will be 10-6, it’s becoming a tougher division but they will win it again. In the playoffs they will make it to the AFC Championship if they can stay healthy.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

The Patriots, unless they magically vanish. Or give the Texans Brady.

Indianapolis Colts: Stuart Tomlin @stvstheworld

How was last season for you?

In a word, mediocre. Started off with our standard 0-2 start, honestly getting a point where I’m getting used to that! Then despite Andrew Luck playing probably statistically the best year of his career, and TY Hilton having the most yards of any wide receiver in the league, our defence was one of the worst, if not the worst, in the league, and it pretty much cost us any chance of the postseason. Losing to the Texans pretty much killed our hopes, and despite absolutely leathering the Vikings and Jets, we lost to the Raiders on Christmas Eve, and that was that. And then the cherry on the top of the cake, one of our players injured Derek Carr and pretty much ruined the Raiders’ chances of stopping the Patriots in the AFC. Great times. 8-8 once again then.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

It was quite promising really. First off, firing Ryan Grigson into the footballing wasteland (also known as Cleveland) was the best thing we could have done this offseason. Love the hire of Chris Ballard, think he is the GM we need for Andrew Luck’s prime. We jettisoned most of the absolute dross that Grigson signed over the last few seasons as well. I absolutely love what we did defensively building up. Think Jonathan Hankins was a superb signing, he’s experienced and young and can give us the nose tackle we’ve been missing for years. John Simon is already beginning to look like a player. Still think we’re missing that premium pass rusher, but Jabaal Sheard and Barkevous Mingo just won a Super Bowl with the Pats, so you never know. Malik Hooker looks like he’ll be a superb first round pick for us, the man from all things seems to be an absolute ballhawk. Quincy Wilson may develop into the cornerback alongside Vontae Davis that we’ve been missing. Marlon Mack can learn from Frank Gore, and from the looks of preseason, he could well overtake him by the end of the year as our starting running back. Look out for him this season. All in all, it’s been a pleasing offseason.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

Well, Andrew Luck is absolutely boss. We all know this. When he’s healthy. The biggest question for us is how long is he going to be out at the start of the season? For all the acquisitions on defence, this team very much goes where Andrew Luck goes. If Luck is healthy and at his best, he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league (and honestly believe he has the best footwork in the game). There’s a reason I always say “Andrew Luck cares not for your sack attempts”. However, if we’re without Luck for an extended period…we’re screwed. Scott Tolzien is not a replacement quarterback for Luck. He’s nowhere near as good. Tolzien looks like he’s got the week 1 start. Trading for Brissett seems like a good move for the long-term as a backup to Andrew, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s in at some point against the Rams or starting against the Cardinals week 2.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

Without a doubt that’s T.Y. Hilton. Andrew’s number one target led the league in receiving yards last season, and was absolutely outstanding. Beyond that, I’m a big fan of Jack Doyle, was made up that we resigned him and think he has the receiving ability that Coby Fleener had (minus the drops) plus the blocking ability that Dwayne Allen had (minus the whiffs). Basically, he’s the best of both Fleener and Allen without the problems, and think he has the potential to be one of the best non-Gronkowski tight ends in the league.

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

Head Coach Chuck Pagano, no question. Having survived, barely, the absolute mess that was the front office the last couple of years, and having successfully untied himself from the Grigson-Pagano shenanigans that pretty much ruined the last two years for us, he’s now on his own. Ballard isn’t gonna stand for any more disappointment, neither are the Colts fans. Pagano really has to deliver this season, and has to deliver at least the postseason to keep his job I would believe.

How did you come to support your team?

There’s a story here, actually. I used to watch the Super Bowl with my Dad every year, and every year we’d have a bet on the game. And every single year, without fail, my Dad would win that bet. He won the bet when the Patriots beat the Eagles, and the Steelers beat the Seahawks. The first time I won that bet was Super Bowl XLI, when the Colts beat the Bears. As it turned it, it was the last time, as my Dad sadly passed away that year. About two years later, I got into NFL for real in the 2009 when my friend Kris (MacBain, Cowboys), who I worked with at the time, introduced me to the game properly, and I decided to adopt a team – I figured it’d be a nice way to honour my Dad and the bet by selecting the Colts, and I have just fallen in love with the club ever since – even going out to Indianapolis to see them beat the Washington Redskins 49-27 at Lucas Oil Stadium in 2014.

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

If you enjoy blue and white kits and crushing disappointment, this is the team for you! On a serious note, we have had one of the best quarterbacks that has ever played the game in Peyton Manning and introduced him into the game by drafting him in 1998. We have one of the best young quarterbacks in Andrew Luck coming into his prime, an absolutely fantastic fanbase – and speaking from personal experience, a very welcoming fanbase at that, a magnificent stadium and a young and improving team that is only going to get better as the years go on.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

We’ve made defensive improvements going into the new season. John Simon looks absolutely boss in preseason so far. Malik Hooker could be a real ball-hawk, and Marlon Mack looks a steal in round four of the Draft. T.Y. Hilton led the league in receiving yards last year, and Donte Moncrief has a point to prove this year. There’s some good young pieces in this team, and with a fit Luck throwing to them, we could be absolutely electric this year, all things being right.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

Once again, we live and die on the arm (or shoulder as it were) of Andrew Luck. If Luck is fit, and playing to his best, then we can beat anyone…maybe not the Patriots, but that’s another story…but we can beat anyone else. However, we are a week as of writing from the season and we still don’t have a timetable for when he will return. If he is out for an extended period…we’re screwed. The positive news is he is off the PUP list so I guess that gives us some idea of him being back before the first six weeks. The offensive line is still not nearly as good as it needs to be, and the defence, while improving, is still questionable. Vontae Davis and Ryan Kelly are doubts for the start of the season too, which is worrying.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

I’ve been trying to decide my selection here, as there’s a lot of players I absolutely love. Julio Jones for my money is the best wide receiver in the league, and I’d love to have Andrew Luck throwing to him. David Johnson from the Cardinals is an amazing running back. Patrick Peterson or even Richard Sherman at corner would be outstanding. However, I think the thing we’re missing most is a pass rusher, and I don’t think there’s one better than Khalil Mack of the Raiders. Luke Kuechly is probably my favourite defensive player in the league, but I’d go Mack. The man can get to the quarterback from absolutely anywhere.

Can Indianapolis finally give Andrew Luck the defence and protection that he needs?

For the first time in about six years, I actually believe in the General Manager of this team to do that. Chris Ballard is a million times better an upgrade on Ryan Grigson, and I think he’s got a long-term plan to give Luck everything he needs to eventually deliver this team a Super Bowl. But, it’s gonna take time, and a bit of growing pains might be in order this season.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

If Luck is out for an extended period of time, we’re gonna struggle to make it to .500. However, as I suspect, Luck is back early in the season and back at his best, I reckon we can go 10-6 and win our division. However, we’ve not got enough yet to really impose ourselves on the AFC. I’ll be optimistic, say Luck returns early in the season, we win the AFC South at 10-6. I could honestly see, if we do get to the postseason, another heartbreaking, soul-destroying loss in Foxborough. Would be absolutely peak Colts, that.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

Genuinely cannot see past the Patriots repeating. They’re the best team in the league by a mile right now. My brother will be delighted with me saying this. Can see them beating the Packers in Super Bowl LII.

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

Recently I did a 24-hour Gaming Marathon for Macmillan, and I would like to promote the link here for donations www.justgiving.com/fundraising/diamondfrogs. Other than that, I hope everybody will read the Go For It On Fourth season previews, and continue to tune into our content over the course of the season.

Go Colts!

Jacksonville Jaguars: Rich Miz @Rich_Miz

How was last season for you?

Utterly miserable! After five or six awful years, we finally looked like we had the talent to contend for the division, and we were the trendy pick to make the playoffs. I still had doubts about Gus’ game management, but couldn’t have envisaged how badly we’d capitulate. I preferred it when I expected us to be terrible.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

*Desperately trying not to come across as too depressing** It’s a tough one to evaluate. We added some great pieces in Free Agency (Church, Campbell, Bouye could all be outstanding), however we’ve once again neglected the offensive line which is still a mess (what’s the point in talking about focusing on the run game when our O-Line is like Teflon?!) The Branden Albert situation is an embarrassment on both sides, and leaves a sour taste. First two rounds of the Draft I’d have given an A and drafting Dede Westbrook could be a great move, however we didn’t address glaring positions of need.

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA...HAHAHAHAHA….Sorry. Less said, the better. I love Blake, but he’s done in Jax and we’ll be resetting AGAIN in 2018. I don’t think we’ll risk him getting injured (as we’ll have to pick up his fifth year option), so a year of misery watching Checkdown Chad awaits. Blake has lost the job rather than Henne doing anything to win it, and that sums up the mess we’re in at QB.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

Jalen Ramsey, without a doubt, and the addition of AJ Bouye opposite can only help him. He’s only going to get better and better. Just ask Steve Smith!

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

I would have said Blake, however it looks like the team have given up on him already, so for that reason, I’ll go elsewhere and say Dante Fowler. He’s not lived up to anywhere near expectation, and has had a lot of off-field problems. Tom Coughlin won’t keep him around for long if things don’t change fast. Speaking of TC, Doug Marrone is under the most pressure. Tom Coughlin is practically breathing down his neck and if things don’t start well the murmurs will begin almost instantly. I’ll put my neck on the line and say Tom will be in his second stint as head coach this time next year.

How did you come to support your team?

Madden 2000! I love and hate that game…love it as randomly buying it got me into the NFL to start with, but HATE it as it condemned me to a life of misery with the Jags. I was around eleven at the time, and picked the Jags randomly in franchise mode and that’s how it began (it also helped that we were one of the best teams in the league at the time so I jumped on the bandwagon…that backfired spectacularly!)

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

Great fans, great owner and great stadium. Also, after so many years of struggle, it will be a great feeling when it finally comes together (IF IT DOES). One of my favourite parts of supporting the Jags for a long time was being different from everyone else as barely anyone else in the UK did. This has changed now as our profile has been raised from playing in London.

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

We play the Jets, so probably won’t go 0-16.

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

More frustration than doubts. A lot of our roster looks playoff calibre, however neglect at quarterback (why on earth we didn’t draft a QB amazes me), and on the O-Line (only the two most important positions on the field), means that a great roster will more than likely be wasted again.

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

I absolutely love line play and considering our struggles there, I’d say Tyron Smith from Dallas. Brick wall and the job he did in protecting a rookie Quarterback was brilliant. Leads the best O-Line in the league!

We’ve had the Jaguars rebuilding comments for years – can this finally be the year where the rebuild finally bears fruit?

Nope. We really do have some outstanding pieces meaning even a just competent Quarterback and O-Line could push us to the postseason and we don’t have either.

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

The Defence hasn’t looked as good as expected in pre-season, but if they can be a top ten unit and Blake, by some miracle, finds his late 2015 form we could push towards 8-8 or 9-7, but sadly the latter is unlikely. If Blake starts, 5-11, if Checkdown Chad starts 3-13 with average yards per attempt about 2.0.

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

Unfortunately, the AFC playoffs will go through New England again and I can’t see past them winning the Super Bowl. Frighteningly they look even better than last year.

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

Follow me on Twitter @Rich_Miz to watch me descend into rage at the Jags and my even more poorly performing fantasy teams!

Tennessee Titans: Ryan Slaughter @Ryan_Slaughter

How was last season for you?

We made a massive leap in terms of being a genuine winning team, Mariota progressed and the signing of DeMarco Murray proved to be a master stroke coupled with the emergence of a young and solid offensive line. Despite this we should have made the play-offs had Mariota stayed healthy, disappointing results in big games against Jaguars and Colts killed our chances especially in an average AFC South division. Key to improving on 9-7 will be our results against divisional rivals in 2017.

With the offseason in the rear-view mirror, how do you believe your team fared in the draft and free agency?

Titans GM John Robinson was the most important signing the Titans have made in recent years and he continued to prove his elite GM status in the off-season. The receiving core has been hugely boosted with the additions of Corey Davis (#5 Western Michigan), Taywan Taylor (#72 Western Kentucky) and the signing of former Jets and Broncos Eric Decker. One of our biggest problems of the last couple seasons has been our lack of talent in our defensive backs (still cant get over the Jags blowing the top off our defence in week 17 last season). The addition of Adoree’ Jackson (#18 USC) and some veteran experience in Johnathan Cyprian (Jaguars) and  Logan Ryan (Patriots) should be a massive step up in quality. 

The man under centre: what’s your opinions on your starting quarterback for this season?

Marcus Mariota has steadily progressed into a genuine franchise quarterback, in 2016 he had the sixth best third down passer rating of 105.9 in the NFL including 11 third down passing touchdowns and just 3 interceptions. The redone is proving to be the place where Mariota truly comes into his own with 33 touchdowns and 0 (yes zero!) interceptions in his first two season. The addition red zone targets Davis and Decker along with 12-year veteran TE Delanie Walker should help Mariota’s number improve this again this season. The only downside is injuries, he had two MCL injuries in 2015 and has just recovered from a broken fibula sustained against the Jaguars last year.

Who would you say is the main man for your team beyond the quarterback?

I would say there is a group of important players behind Mariota. It is great to see the Titans return to a two-punch running attack. Not since the days of CJ2K and LenDale White have we had such a good running pair in DeMarco Murray and former Heisman winner Derrick Henry. All three players are supported by our highly rated Offensive Line of Lewan, Spain, Jones, Kline and Conklin. 

Which member of your team or coaching staff is under the most pressure in this coming season?

Mike Mularkey. I can’t say too many Titans fans were excited when we hired the former Jaguars Head Coach. Despite going 9-7 last season Mularkey has overall .370 win % as a head coach. With such a talented roster, and also the salary cap room to both secure current stars and strengthen again next off-season, anything less than winning the AFC South and I can see Coach Mularkey heading for the Nashville exit door come 1st January 2018.

How did you come to support your team?

I had been an American sports fan since the mid-nineties, but in 2004 I did a summer legal internship in Knoxville. TN. I used to walk past the amazing University of Tennessee Nayland Stadium every day to the courthouse and I instantly fell in love with the people, food and of course football culture in Tennessee. It was an unpaid internship but as a gift after a couple weeks my boss gave me $50 to go to the mall and get a Titans jersey and thus started my Titans fan journey. I got an Eddie George #27 and was so pleased, then a week later he was traded to the Cowboys…. As a final gift at the end of my internship I was taken on a party weekend to Nashville and went to my first NFL game: Titans v Browns, despite it being pre-season I am still feel massively privileged to have seen the late, great Steve McNair play. 

For any new fans coming into the league this year, why would you endorse your team to support?

If you love country music, Jack Daniels and BBQ ribs, then you should bleed two tone blue. 

Give us reasons for optimism for your team this season?

First the AFC South is not the most elite division in the NFL, The Colts just can’t seem to give Luck the weapons or protection he needs. The Jaguars (with gritted teeth) drafted well, have a heap of defensive talent but they also have Blake Bortles…the Texans will be our biggest divisional rivals this year and in former Clemson Deshaun Watson I think they have a quality future franchise quarterback but I think we are ready to take the AFC South crown with our new explosive offence.  

And what are your doubts for your team this upcoming season?

Injuries to Mariota, injuries in our offensive line, injuries to our defensive backs. In short whilst we have some great starting talent as shown last year the backups are average. Unfortunately, this is the down side to the great salary cap management of Jon Robinson, it relies on 2nd and 3rd year players to step up and in the past, many haven’t. 

Name us one player within another team that you’d love to have at your club?

JJ Watt, as a Titans fan it pains me to say it but the guy is a beast. 

Can Marcus Mariota take the next step in becoming elite?

I don't believe he needs to be “elite” to make us successful, Eli Manning anyone? The word “elite” is banded about way too much, there are only four “elite” quarterbacks in the NFL in my opinion, Brady, Rogers, Brees and Ryan. If Mariota’s red zone numbers keep going up and he learns to use his movement out of the pocket sensibly then I can't see any reason why he can’t be the best quarterback we have had since Steve McNair. Of course, to be the best he has to go one better than #9 and win a Lombardi. 

What are your predictions for the upcoming season for your team? What do you think your record will be, and how far do you think you will go in the postseason, if at all?

12-4 and go as far as the Divisional Round of the playoffs. 

Who do you think will be lifting the Lombardi Trophy at the end of the season?

Giants - They have a great balance on both sides of the ball and a receiver core that most teams would drool over. Eli has the experience to somehow turn it on in the play offs. 

Anything else you’d like to say about the upcoming season, or anything you’d like to plug or mention?

One of the great things about football is all the different communities and fans you can interact with to discuss the great game. If you love NFL memorabilia and trading cards come and join us at NFL Cards UK Collectors on Facebook.