NFL groups can normally establish their strengths and weaknesses after 5 weeks of the season. No crew is ideal, however some have a lot greater points than others.
Right here is one probably deadly flaw for each AFC South crew:
Houston Texans: Offensive inconsistency
The Texans rank sixth within the NFL in yards however solely nineteenth in factors scored, ensuing primarily from early down struggles. Houston has recorded solely 5.54 yards on first down, under the league common (5.70), and solely the New York Giants (72) have confronted extra third downs (71).
QB C.J. Stroud and firm have transformed at a excessive charge on third-down (42.25 %), ranked tenth within the league. Nonetheless, it may be laborious to take care of that success all through the season, particularly with a 3rd of the manufacturing coming from WR Nico Collins (170 yards, 11 receptions, eight first downs, one landing), who the Texans lately positioned on IR with a hamstring harm.
The excellent news for the Texans is that they’ve proven explosive means, and there is nonetheless time to seek out extra cohesiveness on the offensive finish. If not, it may very well be their Achilles heel when the video games begin to matter.
Indianapolis Colts (2-3): Late-game protection
The Colts protection has failed to point out up this season, ranked thirty second within the NFL. Maybe essentially the most vital problem for the unit has been its lack of ability to cease opposing offenses late in video games.
Total, Indianapolis has allowed 122 factors over 5 weeks. However half of these factors (61) have come within the fourth quarter alone, the place groups are averaging practically two touchdowns (12.2 factors) a sport in opposition to them.
Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley is saying all the fitting issues, telling reporters forward of Week 6 that he and the crew “believe in our players” and their means to enhance. Although, it is laborious to think about a protection that is unable to cease the run (thirty first) or go (twenty ninth) could make the extent of change essential to maintain the Colts a playoff contender down the stretch.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Passing protection
The Jaguars are 1-4 heading into Week 6, and it is no shock, contemplating their protection has supplied little resistance in opposition to the go. By way of 5 video games, no crew within the NFL has allowed extra yards by way of the air than Jacksonville (1,439).
Taking away Deshaun Watson’s outing (22-of-34, 186 yards) in Week 2, opposing quarterbacks have feasted on the Jaguars. Tua Tagovailoa, Josh Allen, Stroud and Joe Flacco have mixed to throw for 1,305 yards with a 70.1 completion share (106-of-151), 10 touchdowns and nil interceptions.
Jacksonville will face rookie QBs Caleb Williams and Drake Maye over the following two weeks, providing the unit an opportunity to show issues round. Nonetheless, if they do not, the highway will get tougher, with matchups in opposition to Jordan Love, Jalen Hurts, Sam Darnold and Jared Goff upcoming.
Tennessee Titans: Quarterback
Titans naturally anticipated a major second-year bounce from Will Levis. Nonetheless, he hasn’t seemed very like a franchise QB in 4 video games this season.
Levis’ completion share (68.4) has risen considerably from his first season (58.4), however he is but to stretch the sector, tied for the third-fewest makes an attempt past 20 yards amongst quarterbacks who’ve performed no less than 4 video games. That, paired with the truth that the previous Kentucky standout nonetheless leads the league in interceptions (6), having performed one fewer sport than most starters, exhibits recklessness and a scarcity of development.
The 25-year-old is way from a completed product, but when he is to be the face of the franchise, he has to take higher care of the soccer and play higher general. By way of 4 begins, Levis has extra interceptions than touchdowns (4) and ranks twenty ninth in passing yards per sport (151.0), which is barely holding the Titans again.
