(09-04-2017, 11:44 AM)Bullseye Wrote: The 2017 season starts with solemn excitement.   On the one hand, the whole country’s focus is on Houston as it recovers from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Harvey.  Citizens of Houston and all of the areas adversely impacted from the storm, know that the thoughts of the nation are with you.  On the other hand, football fans will finally be sated, because regular season football is here.  To butcher the axiom, everyone’s a contender before the first regular season game.  So let’s take a look at the first week of the regular season in the AFC South.

Jaguars (0-0) at Texans (0-0)-Expect a weary but emotional crowd in Houston as th Harvey battered Texans host the Jaguars.  J.J. Watt returns from his back injury, joining a defensive unit that was staunch without him.  If he is playing like pre-injury J.J. Watt, I can only shudder at the thought of how dominant that defense could be.  However, that defense can be exploited.  Jonathan Joseph is now 32, and decline is bound to set in sooner or later.  They also lost CB A.J Bouye to the Jaguars.  If the front seven does not get home, the Jaguars might have some opportunites against nickel and dime defenses.  Jacksonville also has some matchup advantages they should be able to exploit.  Jacksonville has one of the most talented secondaries in the league, with Ramsey (who has matched up very well against Hopkins) and the aforementioned Bouye at CB and Colvin at nickel back against a depleted Texans WR corps minus their 2nd and 3rd WRs.  The Jaguars’ defensive front also seems improved with Ngakoue and fowler having more experience along with free agent addition Calais Campbell, against a Texans’ OL likely  without their starting tackles from last year, including LT Duane Brown-who is holding out.  Though Jaguars fans have little confidence in Bortles, they should have the edge at QB, as inexperienced Tom Savage-he of five starts) is warming the spot until Watson is ready to take over.  Ultimately, I think the key matchup will be the Jaguars’ OL against the Texans’ front seven.  If the Jaguars can get #4 overall pick Leonard Fournette going well enough to keep the Jaguars out of long yardage situations, the Jaguars have a chance.  But that seems a doubtful proposition.  Houston 20 Jaguars 14.   

Oakland (0-0) at Tennessee (0-0)-  In a battle of two up and coming teams with up and coming QBs who were seriously injured on week 16 of last year, the Raiders travel east to Tennessee to face the tacks.  The Tacks have a strong running game and OL.  But I think they will have a hard time stopping Khalil Mack.  Furthermore, I don’t think the Tacks have improved enough in the secondary to have much success in covering Amari Cooper.  Oakland 27 Tacks 23. 

Colts (0-0) at Los Angeles Rams (0-0)-The banged up Colts travel west to face the Los Angeles Rams.  The Colts will be without QB Andrew Luck, C Ryan Kelly, and CB Vontae Davis.  The loss of Davis should not hurt the Colts too much against the typically anemic Rams offense, though if newly acquired Sammy Watkins is healthy, he might be able to do some damage.  However, Kelly missing from an already mediocre offensive line, coupled with the loss of Luck, to be replaced by Scott Tolzien, going up against a Rams defense coached by Wade Phillips, could be problematic for the Colts, even if the Rams are without Donald.  Rams win 17-13.
Last week:  N/A
Overall:  0-0