Rumored by many to be the toughest division inside the NFL, the AFC South did not field a losing team in 2007.  To solidify that contention, it will need to continue defeating teams outside its own division like it did last season (31-13 SU and 25-19 ATS outside the AFC South; 12-12 SU and ATS inside).

Will Peyton Manning lead his team back to the Super Bowl and win back the ring his brother won in SBXLII?  Not if the Jaguars, Texans and Titans have anything to say about it.

Here is the take of teams in the AFC SOUTH DIVISION for 2008 from Marc Lawrence of Playbook. Coming up next: the AFC WEST DIVISION. Enjoy…

AFC SOUTH

HOUSTON
Team Theme – WHO’S THERE?
While it’s been six years with nary a winning season for the Houston Texans as a franchise in the NFL, they are knocking on the door.  Behind QB Matt Schaub, 4-7 as a first-year starter last season and Sage Rosenfels, who was 4-1 in the five games he started, the Texans ended the season a .500 team despite a lousy 1-5 mark in division play.  Head coach Gary Kubiak realizes that in order for his team to cross over to the other side it will need to improve on it’s 4-14 mark the last three years inside the AFC South. Houston beefed up it’s running game (99 RYPG last season) with the acquisition of free agent Chris Brown and the 3rd round selection of Steve Slaton in the NFL draft. Knock, knock…
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Minnesota (11/2)

INDIANAPOLIS
Team Theme – PEYTON’S PACE
It would be easy to point a finger at the Colts’ offense as being the culprit in last year’s disappointing finish.  After starting 7-0 and averaging 399 YPG, Indianapolis closed out the campaign 6-4 while generating just 339 YPG.  That slippage proved costly when the defending Super Bowl champs went one-and-out in the playoffs, losing as double-digit home favorites to the Chargers.  Rest assured, after taking the lump in the playoffs and watching his kid brother Eli win SB XLII, Peyton Manning will be hungrier than ever trying to re-establish himself as the premier quarterback in the league. Still, despite taking on the league’s 2nd toughest schedule with half of their games against teams that were in the playoffs last season, there is no sense of panic or urgency.  Destination: Super Bowl - one statement-making game at a time.
PLAY ON: vs. San Diego (11/23) - *KEY

JACKSONVILLE
Team Theme – JACK KNIFE
It’s our best guess the Jaguars will be a popular ”wise guy” pick by many of the pundits when it comes to selecting a sleeper squad in 2008 and we can’t argue with the choice.  Granted, they will take on the league’s 3rd toughest schedule in 2008 against opponents with a combined .559 win percentage last season.  However, if you’re a Jack Del Rio fan like we are, you have to admire the fact his teams have consistently carved up opponents while winning 22 of 32 regular season games “in the stats” the last two years.  We also like his decision to drop-kick the Pillsbury Doughboy (Byron Leftwich) in favor of David Garrard as his quarterback.  That move paid off handsomely when the offense improved it’s numbers across the board last season. If the defense gets back to Jack’s standards, the Jags will be playoff bound once again in 2008. 
PLAY ON: vs. Indianapolis (12/18) - *KEY as dog with revenge

TENNESSEE
Team Theme – MIGHTY YOUNG
Like him or not, QB Vince Young is a winner.  He left Texas with a national championship ring and in two years has taken the Titans from a 4-12 loser to a 10-win playoff team.  The improvement in last year’s effort as opposed to the 8-8 record two years ago was dramatic.  That was confirmed by the fact that Tennessee won the stats against 12 of 17 opponents last year after having been outgained in 11 of 16 games in 2006.  Head coach Jeff Fisher didn’t stand still after that improvement. He signed TE Algie Crumpler and OL Jake Scott during the off-season to help better protect Young.  In addition, Fisher re-enforced a defense that improved 75 YPG last season when he inked impact DE Jevon Kearse.  Playing in arguably the league’s toughest division, Tennessee will once again rely on the mighty one to reach the winner’s circle.
PLAY AGAINST: vs. Minnesota (9/28)