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| DE J.J. Watt will continue to lead an aggressive Texans defense in 2013. |
Houston Texans
(2012 record: 12-4)
Q: Can the Texans beat the Patriots?
In 2012, the only AFC teams Houston lost to were Indianapolis and New England. In one regular season game and one post-season game, the Patriots decimated the Texans a total of 42-83. That must change if the Texans want to be taken seriously by other top playoff teams. Both sides of the ball have been given some modifications, with future Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed added to the secondary from Baltimore and shifty rookie wideout DeAndre Hopkins drafted out of Clemson. They'll have a chance to prove that they have advanced on December 1st in Week 13 this season.
A: Yes, but they can't make mistakes. Matt Schaub needs to show he can guide a championship team, and with the many weapons surrounding him in Andre Johnson, Owen Daniels, Arian Foster, and Hopkins, he needs to show it now.
Indianapolis Colts
(2012 record: 11-5)
Q: Can the defense match the offense's production?
By drafting Andrew Luck in the 2012 NFL Draft, the Colts wanted to rebuild the offense around him. They more than succeeded, moving from the 3rd worst offense in 2011 to the 10th best in 2012. Then the defense was next in line for an evolution. Free agent pickups LaRon Landry, Erik Walden, and Ricky Jean-Francois will aid in creating an intimidating barricade from the end zone for most offenses in 2013.
A: Not likely, but only because the offense is so productive. Luck brought his team to the wild card round only to fall to the eventual world champions. This season, they could give the Ravens and the rest of the AFC a run for their money.
| Rookie OL Chance Warmack will rejuvenate the Titans O-line. |
Tennessee Titans
(2012 record: 6-10)
Q: Is Jake Locker the answer at quarterback?
Tennessee has had nine different starting quarterbacks since 2003. When they drafted Jake Locker out of Washington with the eighth overall pick in 2011, it was clear they wanted him to bring stability to the position. 2013 is primed to be Locker's first full season under center, and he is eager to show critics what he can do.
A: Many experts feel Jake Locker can't be a valuable pro quarterback. I believe he can- with the right tools around him. He has those tools now.
Jacksonville Jaguars
(2012 record: 2-14)
Q: Will the 2013 draft picks be able to help a poor football team?
Just about everything the Jaguars have done, from hiring new head coach Gus Bradley to drafting a number of multi-talented rookies, could pay off this season. It could also have no effect and find Jacksonville near the top of the 2014 draft. The position battle between Chad Henne or Blaine Gabbert, who together only had 20 passing touchdowns last season, could be interrupted by rookie quarterback Matt Scott.
A: While they'll certainly help, once again it will take time before they become a competitor in a rapidly improving AFC South.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
(2012 record: 13-3)
Q: Does the Broncos roster have enough talent to win a championship?
Peyton Manning took the Broncos to the 2012 AFC divisional playoff round and had a league 2nd-best 105.8 passer rating in his first year with a new team. Now he has a full season and off-season in Denver under his belt. Signing Wes Welker means they want to win it all now. They have had a few setbacks, such as "faxgate"(the Elvis Dumervil contract fiasco), the recent front office DUI arrests, and Von Miller's suspension. Age is also a factor in that their top stars on both sides of the ball are over 35 years old.
A: With Percy Harvin sidelined until at least November, the Broncos are the only remaining early contender with Atlanta for the Super Bowl. If the players can fully unite behind head coach John Fox and Manning, not even the Falcons should be able to stop them.
San Diego Chargers
(2012 record: 7-9)
Q: Can Philip Rivers regain his form and return San Diego to the playoffs?
Last season, Rivers put out his lowest QB rating, lowest passing yards and lowest passing touchdowns since 2007. To give him some help, the Chargers drafted California receiver Keenan Allen and picked up running back Danny Woodhead out of free agency. Veterans Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd, and Danario Alexander, along with progressing receiver Vincent Brown, should give Rivers all the ammunition he would need to get this team back in the playoffs.
A: With new head coach Mike McCoy devising a new passing attack, Rivers should thrive and put the Chargers back in contention with the rest of the AFC.
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| 3rd year receiver Vincent Brown is expected to have a breakout season in San Diego after missing all of 2012 with a broken ankle. |
Oakland Raiders
(2012 record: 4-12)
Q: Who will start at quarterback?
Matt Flynn was officially on every QB-deprived team's radar in the 2011 season when, after subbing in for a resting Aaron Rodgers, he completed 31 of 44 passes for 480 yards, a club record 6 TDs and 1 interception against the Lions. After failing to find a starting job in Seattle, he has found himself in Oakland, where he is competing with dual-threat quarterback Terrelle Pryor and rookie Tyler Wilson.
A: While Flynn is the favorite to win the position, I feel Pryor is more talented and could wind up starting a few games or more in 2013.
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| Alex Smith runs an option play out of the pistol formation at Chiefs training camp. |
(2012 record: 2-14)
Q: Can Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles succeed in Andy Reid's new semi-option offense?
The Kansas City Chiefs were the worst team in the NFL last season. They drafted offensive tackle Eric Fisher out of Central Michigan with the number one pick to protect newly acquired quarterback Alex Smith and to create running lanes for star halfback Jamaal Charles. New head coach Andy Reid has publicly stated he plans to add option plays to the playbook, with Smith and Charles as the centerpieces.
A: Smith had the third highest QB rating(104.1) and highest completion percentage(70.2%) of quarterbacks with more than 200 attempts in 2012. Charles had the 4th most rushing yards(1,509). No matter what offense they're put in, these two talented athletes will flourish.
Tomorrow night is the first preseason game of the new 2013 season. Get ready.
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