The AFC South has completely turned into a two-team division, but that was to be expected. The Indianapolis Colts lead the Houston Texans by two games with only five remaining, but the two teams meet once more before the season ends.
Meanwhile, the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans can play spoiler to either of the leaders’ chances in the division. With that said, the Colts still have a great chance to run away with this division.
Going into Week 13, this is what you should look for in each AFC South matchup.
Washington Redskins @ Indianapolis Colts, 11/30, 1 p.m.
This is the matchup we all thought, just three years ago, would dominate the headlines. Now, the idea of Andrew Luck facing Robert Griffin III isn’t that spectacular, especially given Griffin won’t even start Sunday.
Luck will face off against the eighth-ranked pass defense which is much worse than the statistic represents. The Redskins will be in dire need for safeties and Luck will counter with T.Y. Hilton and Reggie Wayne. Advantage Colts.
The question is whether Colt McCoy can move the ball against the Colts defense, which ranks 20th in defending the pass. Tom Brady, Ben Roethlisberger and Peyton Manning have gotten to the Colts defense, but this seems like a lesser foe.
However, don’t count out the guy who beat the Dallas Cowboys, completing 25 of 30 passes along the way. McCoy could definitely be an upgrade from Griffin in terms of the passing game,
Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans, 11/30, 1 p.m.
The Texans needed to beat the Bengals last week, but couldn’t hold Jeremy Hill late and lost their starting quarterback as a result. With Ryan Mallett out for the season, the Texans will have to depend on Tom Savage or Ryan Fitzpatrick to lead them against the Titans on Sunday.
The good thing is that they are facing the Titans, who have lost five straight and are transitioning a new quarterback as well. The Titans defense, as well, struggles to defend the run.
That makes Arian Foster’s possible return all more important, as he could run all over the weak Titans defense. Without him, this wouldn’t be such a mismatch.
The Titans won’t be able to stop Foster, but only contain him. That said, any production out of the run game could open up the pass game for Fitzpatrick or Savage.
New York Giants @ Jacksonville Jaguars, 11/30, 1 p.m.
If there was ever a matchup that you’d want to avoid, it’s this one. The Giants and Jaguars have combined lost their last 10 games and together post a 4-18 record so far this season.
The Jaguars rank last in the league in scoring offense and the Giants are 21st in the same category. The Jaguars are first in interceptions, while the Giants are sixth in the league.
The only positive going into this matchup for either team is the fact that Odell Beckham is peaking as a rookie wide receiver. If he can continue this stretch of 100-yard games, he can establish himself as a real weapon in this league, if he hasn’t already.