The AFC South is going exactly as planned: The Indianapolis Colts are dominating and the rest are playing catch up it what is becoming a lost cause. More evidence of this trend came in Week 9, when the Colts dominated the New York Giants and the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars both lost.
The Tennessee Titans were idle, but they lost a half-game because of it. That’s the situation in the AFC South as we head into Week 10. Here’s what you should be looking for out of each team, which is only two since the Colts and Texans are on their bye.
Dallas Cowboys @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 11/9, 1 p.m.
London will get a show on Sunday, as the Cowboys are coming off two consecutive losses and a healthier Tony Romo to throw at the Jaguars pass defense. One of the worst teams in the league will have to deal with the strong Cowboys offense after a defeat.
To this into perspective, the Cowboys rank fifth in the NFL in total offense and the Jaguars rank 31st in total defense. Romo and leading-rusher DeMarco Murray should have their day against a young Jaguars team across the Atlantic.
However, if Romo struggles with his back injury, the Jaguars could pressure more often and make his job that much more difficult. However, when you have the league’s leading rusher, it doesn’t matter if your quarterback 100 percent.
The Jaguars will rely heavily on their new weapon, running back Denard Robinson, who is averaging 109.2 yards per game in the last three contests. Robinson could be the key to keeping the ball in the Jaguars’ hands and not in Romo’s.
Robinson’s work load will be key to keeping the Jaguars offense on the field and preventing any type of blowout. Blake Bortles will do all he can, but he can’t keep up with the Cowboys offense for four quarters.
Tennessee Titans @ Baltimore Ravens, 11/9, 1 p.m.
The Titans, like the Jaguars, are headed into a hostile position against a team that needs a win and is coming off a brutal loss. Zach Mettenberger wasn’t as bad as many though against a Texans defense last week, throwing for 299 yards and two touchdowns, and he’ll be up against a decimated Ravens secondary.
The Ravens are without cornerbacks Jimmy Smith and Asa Jackson and just cut two more in what has been a revolving door. The Titans, though, rank 29th in the league and aren’t close to the Pittsburgh Steelers offense that put up six touchdowns against the Ravens defense.
Expect a more focused effort from the Ravens, putting Mettenberger under pressure all day. Can he emerge as a strong starting quarterback? This matchup will definitely test him.
It won’t help that his backfield, led by Bishop Sankey and Shonn Greene, has ranked 22nd in the league in rushing yards. Going against a Ravens defense that allows opposing runners 86.4 yards per game won’t be a good thing for Sankey or Greene, or the Titans offense for that matter.
The Titans will need to defend the run Baltimore run game, which has been surprisingly good most of the season. Justin Forsett and Lorenzo Taliaferro will look to keep the ball out of Mettenberger’s hands, and it could work if the Titans defensive line doesn’t step up.