We have reached the halfway point in the season, and this is some of what we've learned thus far:
- We've learned that the Colts aren't going away easily, despite Andrew Luck's sudden retirement right before the season. That is a testament to the good drafting by their FO, and good coaching by Reich. They are a rugged, physical team on offense and a pretty fast unit on defense, a combination unlike previous, more glamorous iterations of that team.
- We've learned the Texans are determined not to repeat the mistakes made in their early days by trying to give sufficient blocking for Watson. Adding Tytus Howard and Max Scharping early in the draft and trading for LT Laremy Tunsil shows a concerted effort to provide quality and quantity to the Texans' OL. Considering they have added WR Kenny Stills (in the same trade that netted them Tunsil) and just now CB Gareon Conley, there is no mistaking the Texans are in win now mod.
- We've learned the Jaguars have better depth at QB than was initially thought to start the season. When the Jaguars ended the preseason with a rookie at backup QB, most Jaguars fans, especially me, questioned the move. I advocated the Jaguars sign a vet, concerned over the lack of experience behind Foles and with physical limits for Minshew. But even though he has cooled off some, Minshew has been a find for the Jaguars, keeping the Jaguars within shouting distance of contention midway through. Because of the experience and ability Minshew has shown, the Jaguars will be in better position than most of the divisional rivals down the stretch once Foles returns in 3 weeks.
- We've learned the coaches no longer think Mariota is the answer in Tennessee. Fans around the division have long suspected it, but as long as Mariota remained the healthy starter in Trashville, it was moot. However, with the signing of former Dolphins' QB Ryan Tannehill this offseason, and the benching of Mariota for Tannehill last week, it's a foregone conclusion the tacks will be in the market for another QB this offseason.
Other thoughts:
AFCS Offensive rookies of the year: Gardner Minshew II, Jaguars; A.J. Brown, Tacks. Minshew has definitely exceeded expectations as a 6th round pick at the most important position. Brown is 2nd on his team in receptions and leading the tacks in receiving yards.
AFCS Defensive rookies of the year: Josh Allen, Jaguars, Rock Ya Sin, Colts. Allen has had a sack in five straight games, and had a sack and a forced fumble negated by penalty in week one. Is only scratching the surface, as most of his sacks are coming on power moves. Ya Sin has been a starter at CB for Indy.
Coach of the year-Frank Reich, Indy
AFCS MVP-Right now I have to give it to Jacoby Brissett. Took over the Colts a week before the season and has them in first place.
AFCS Offensive player of the year-DeAndre Hopkins-Houston- Biggest game changer in the division
AFCS Defensive player of the year-??
As for my weekly picks, after a short, fleeting move towards respectability, I lost whatever hround I gained with another sub par week. I hope I can turn it back around, starting now.
Denver (2-5) at
Indy (4-2)-Colts are a strong and balanced team playing well on both sides of the ball/ Denver? Not so much.
Colts 24 Broncos 20
Bucs (2-4) at
Tacks (3-4)-The Bucs have wild swings in quality within one QB. Winston can have 5 TDs in a game one week, and five turnovers in a game the next. The tacks have varying degrees of suck between two QBs, and they are now on QB 2. Tacks are a better team overall than the Bucs though. Derrick Henry gets going.
tacks 23 Bucs 17
Jets (1-5) at
Jaguars (3-4)-This is a big game for the Jaguars, as a win here will get them to .500 at the midway point, which would be an absolute win considering we've been without Foles except for the opening quarter of the opening game. Last Monday's loss to the Patriots was a morale sucker for the Jets. The Jets have their share of offensive challenges, and the Jaguars can pose more problems for the Jets. However, the Jets' O has a few things going for them coming into this game. The Jaguars' secondary is a lot less experienced and talented than the Patriots, the Jaguars are really banged up, signing two LBs this week after a slew of injuries, and they don't have Belichick formulating the defensive game plan. I look for the Jets to try to run the ball at Jacksonville.
Nevertheless, the Jaguars pull out this one 24-17
Oakland (3-3) at
Houston (4-3)-Not sure why the Raiders would trade their starting CB to their next opponent when they are still very much in the AFC West race. Houston is too strong and talented.
Texans win 31-20.
Last week: 1-2
Overall: 7-16
Worst to 1st. Curse Reversed!
