Two weeks isn't a big enough sample size to make definitive evaluations, but some tentative conclusions appear to be emerging. Although they started 2-0 last year and proceeded to lose 14 straight, this appears to be a bounce back season of sorts by the Texans, and even without Clowney playing for them the next 4-6 weeks, their defense looks like it'll get them to at least one more win. The consensus preseason favorites to win the division Indy are 0-2, which gives them something like a 11.6% chance to make the playoffs according to statistics, but I don't think anyone thinks they are out of it yet. Statistically, the tacks are the most balanced team in the division, and they sit at 1-1, and the Jaguars have started slowly as many predicted, but except for the first half, against the Eagles, they look a long way from a team some observers think will make a late playoff run.
Let's get to this week's action:
Houston
(2-0) at
N.Y. Giants
(0-2)-Even though by all accounts, J.J. Watt has been dominant thus far, Houston hasn't seemed to generate many sacks overall (3). Nevertheless, they have been the stingiest defense in the league in terms of scoring. They go to a Giants team that is once again starting 2-0, but it doesn't seem like they have the talent to bounce back like they did a few years back. Two time Super Bowl winner Eli Manning has looked bad, being one of a small handful of QBs with a negative TD-INT ratio thus far.
Houston
23, NYG 13.
Tennessee
(1-1) at
Cincinnati
(2-0)-There was at least one poster (IIRC 2) who, in a predictions thread, picked the Bengals to be the AFC representative in the Super Bowl. Thus far, that is looking like a solid pick, as the Bengals are playing very good defense despite losing an excellent defensive coordinator in Mike Zimmer, and good offense with new offensive coordinator Hue Jackson. They may have to play Tennessee without A.J. Green, who is battling a toe injury. Both teams have good pass rushes thus far, and it will likely come down to which team runs the ball better. I still am not sold on Jake Locker, either.
Cincinnati
at home 24-17.
Indianapolis
(0-2) at
Jacksonville
(0-2). Record wise, this looks like a classic battle between the resistible force (Indy pass rush) vs the movable object (Jaguars OL), but examining the games, Indy has been outscored in close games by two high powered offenses in Denver and Philly, while Jacksonville has been outscored 75-10 in the last 6 quarters. The Jaguars get back SS Jonathan Cyprien, but can that end the litany of mental errors on both sides of the ball? I say no. The one rookie receiver with extensive experience in the offense (Hurns) will likely miss the game against Indy, while two more rookies (C Luke Bowanko and TE Marcel Jensen) will receive more playing time in the offense this week. Jacksonville's one hope to keep it close is to pressure Andrew Luck with an improved pass rush (currently tied for 2nd in sacks with 8). Jacksonville improves their performance from last week in their home opener, but it won't be enough to beat Indy, and the fans clamoring for Bortles grows.
Colts
28
Jaguars
14.
Last week: 2-2
Overall 5-3
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
