For years, thanks to Manning, the Colts have had a virtual monopoly on the AFC South divisional title.  Manning was so good and stayed so healthy, fans of other teams could only hope he would suddenly retire to have a shot to beat them out for tops in the division.  One year-ONE-Manning has a neck injury that keeps him out the entire year.  The stranglehold is over, right?  Not so fast.  As fate would have it, the year Manning missed was Andrew Luck's last year in college.  The Colts wound up with the first overall pick, and took a once in a generation prospect in Andrew Luck, and Colts dominance continued.  However this year, the Colts AND Andrew Luck have struggled.  They lost their first two games, and Luck missed the last two games with an injury.  The rest of the division finally had the chance to wrest control of the division from the Colts.  Not so fast.  Led by 40 year old Matt Hasselbeck, the Colts managed to beat Jacksonville in Indy thanks to three missed FGs by the new rookie kicker, and then in a short week, went on the road and beat Houston.  They now lead the division by 2 games.     However, there is a ray of hope-false though it may be.  The Colts have a daunting task ahead of them.  If they lose to New England (who is on another level), they will only be a game ahead in the division.

 

On to this week's games...

 

Texans (1-4) at Jacksonville (1-4)-a game featuring two teams that can't get out of their own way, both losing what they had to consider to be winnable games to Indy, and in Jacksonville's case, Tampa.  I know both of Jacksonville's last two losses were on the road, and maybe home cooking will do them some good, but despite having an edge at QB, I can't bring myself to pick Jacksonville again until they win a winnable game.  I am not sure this week is that week.  Houston 20-Jacksonville, 17.

 

Miami (1-3) at Tennessee (1-3)-In a battle of two teams having early byes, Miami is playing their first game since firing former head coach Joe Philbin, up against the tacks, who are fresh off a tough loss to Buffalo.  Here's hoping that Philbin's firing lights a fire under the Miami squad.  Dolphins 23, Tennessee 20.

 

New England (5-0) at Indy (3-2)-In the league's featured matchup this week, the traditional rivals renew acquaintances.  I think Luck returns, but I don't see them stopping New England.  Pats 34 Colts 24.

 

Last week:  2-1

Overall:  8-8

 

 

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