Sports Betting News

2010 AFC South Preview

Is the AFC South football’s most predictable division? We see the same movie every year. The Colts almost always reign supreme; they’ve had double-digit wins in 10 of the last 11 years. Sooner or later, something has to change. Is this the year it finally happens? Here’s a look at the BetUS.com odds for each AFC South team.

Indianapolis Colts

BetUS.com odds: -150

Is there a safer bet in sports, let alone the NFL, every season than the Indianapolis Colts? Year in and year out, Peyton Manning leads an amazing passing attack and Indy scores a ton. Even though the Colts sometimes struggle to run the ball, Manning has his best-ever crop of receivers now that Pierre Garcon and Austin Collie have joined big guns like Reggie Wayne and Dallas Clark.

The Colts’ “D” isn't perfect – it seems they’ll never defend the run well in this era – but they do all they need to with a powerhouse offense backing them every year.

Houston Texans

BetUS.com odds: +350

Each season, bettors expect the Houston Texans to finally break through and make the playoffs...but it never happens. Something is always missing. Last season, the Texans had the NFL’s No. 1 passing attack featuring the Matt Schaub-to-Andre Johnson connection. They also improved defensively with Rookie of the Year Brian Cushing joining Mario Williams as the team’s pillars. But Houston couldn’t run the ball last year.

The Texans hope Arian Foster will be their saviour in the backfield for 2010. However, they’ll still have to overcome a tendency to choke in clutch situations and Cushing’s four-game steroid ban.

Tennessee Titans

BetUS.com odds: +350

Tennessee showed plenty down the stretch last year, winning eight of its last 10 after starting the year 0-6. Chris Johnson was a 2,500-yard all-purpose back, and Vince Young blossomed when given another chance as a starter.

But did the Titans only succeed because the pressure was off? We’ll see if VY can stay mentally strong now that expectations are high again. The Titans were a big flop defensively last year, too. They’ll need guys like Jason Jones and rookie Derrick Morgan to come up big.

Jacksonville Jaguars

BetUS.com odds: +1000

The Jags are a pretty safe bet to finish last in this division. Maurice Jones-Drew is a phenomenal talent at tailback, but David Garrard is a so-so quarterbacking option and he lacks good downfield targets aside from the possible one-year wonder Mike Sims-Walker.

But Jacksonville’s offense isn’t really the problem. The Jags’ pass rush was unbelievably pitiful last year, tallying just 14 sacks all season. They’re hoping first-round pick Tyson Alualu and newly-acquired Aaron Kampmann will rectify the problem, but the preseason buzz is that Jacksonville still can’t get to the quarterback.