AFC South Predictions: Week 2

Season Prediction Record: 4-0

Pittsburgh Steelers (1-0) @ Tennessee Titans (1-0)

After a narrow victory against a talented Atlanta Falcons team, the Steelers will head south to take on the Tennessee Titans. The Steelers were able to slow down a potent Falcons’ offense, only surrendering 9 points and no touchdowns. On the other hand, the Titans were able to obtain their first victory of the season in a much easier test against the Oakland Raiders. Vince Young and Chris Johnson put on a show and showed just why they are considered two of the most exciting players in football. This weekend the Titans will look to give the Steelers a heavy dose of Chris Johnson, and against a stout Steelers defense, that task could be easier said than done. If the Steelers are able to slow down Johnson, and force Young to throw the football, then they have a chance of upsetting the Titans without their franchise quarterback. However, the inability of the Steelers to put up points does not bode well for a team looking to keep pace with a dynamic offense, such as the Titans.

Titans 17     Steelers 13

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0) @ San Diego Chargers (0-1)

The Jaguars are coming off an impressive victory over the Denver Broncos, and will look to continue their success against the AFC West as they take on the Chargers this week. The Chargers will look to bounce back from a tough loss on Monday Night Football to the Kansas City Chiefs, but will once again be tasked with stopping a tough rushing attack. Maurice Jones-Drew will look to have similar success to that of Jamaal Charles this week against a less than stout Chargers rushing attack. However, the lack of a potent passing attack could put the Jaguars in a whole early against a potent Chargers offense led by Philip Rivers. The Chargers’ loss to the Chiefs can be attributed to the weather just as much as it can be credited to the Chiefs game-plan. As long as the Chargers are able to implement their plan of attack against the Jaguars they should be able to prevail over a far less talented team.

Chargers 24     Jaguars 17

Houston Texans (1-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-0)

Both of these teams were able to put together big wins in their opening game, and both will now look to build off that success. The Texans looked like a well-oiled offensive machine capable of putting up points in bunches, while the Redskins looked like one of the better defenses in the league, shutting down a talented Cowboys’ offense. This week the Redskins will not be caught off guard by Arian Foster as the Colts were in week 1, but they will still have a difficult time stopping both the passing and rushing attack of this talented Texans team. If the Texans are able to stop Donovan McNabb and limit his performance, then they should be able to outscore the Redskins in a tough test in Washington.

Texans 27     Redskins 16

New York Giants (1-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-1)

The Manning Bowl will be front and center on the national stage Sunday night, and it should be one of the more competitive games of week 2. The Colts looked anything but stellar in their week one loss to the Texans, and they will look to turn things around at Lucas Oil Stadium. Conversely the Giants are coming off of an impressive victory over the Carolina Panthers, and will look to carry that success into this week. Eli Manning could be facing a depleted Colts defense, which will only help an offense that is clicking on all cylinders. The Colts were able to put together a solid offensive outing against the Texans, but they will need to step-up their defense, especially against the run. Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs will look to take advantage of a Colts defense that surrendered over 250 yards on the ground to the Texans. Although they did not look smooth in week one, expect the Colts to bounce back this week at home.

Colts 27     Giants 21