Houston Texans

AFC South: One Quarter Left

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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The Houston Texans recent skid has gotten them tied with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans in the AFC South. Who will emerge victorious in the division race? I break down the last month for each team:

Houston Texans

Remaining schedule: @Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Cincinnati, @Tennessee

Division record: 3-0

Dec 4, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Houston Texans tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (87) can

This team has been hard to figure out all season. They started the season 6-3 despite the ineptitude at quarterback, that has affected the receiver play in turn. Lamar Miller has been worth every penny that he was worth in free agency, as he has carried the offense this season. The only other bright spot on offense is the fact that the tight ends (C.J. Fiedorowicz and Ryan Griffin) have become a real threat in the passing game.

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Defensively, without J.J. Watt and many other important players, the defense has been okay but not up the standard of last year. The run defense has been inconsistent and the pass rush is almost non existent without Watt for most of the season and John Simon for stretches. The secondary has been under fire recently with the depth back there being decimated.

Fortunately, they are still on top in the division and they have three divisional games left. So they still control their own destiny. Unfortunately, two of those games are on the road, and both the Colts and Titans played well in Houston. Meanwhile, the Bengals come to Houston and while they are out of the playoff race, they are still a talented team playing for pride late in the season–they haven’t thrown in the towel.

The Texans have just one road win and on the flip side just one home loss. So my prediction on what happens in the future should be no surprise (particularly considering they have their two easiest opponents at home).

Predicted final record: 8-8; win at home and lose on the road

Predicted final place: Second

Indianapolis Colts

Remaining schedule: Houston, @Minnesota, @Oakland, Jacksonville

Division record: 2-2

Dec 5, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) throws a pass against the New York Jets during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Colts defeated the Jets 41-10. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

They have won three of their last four and seem to be building momentum. Andrew Luck is looking really good again and Frank Gore is still capable of carrying the load as he is now 8th on the all time rushing list. Meanwhile, T.Y. Hilton has had a bounce back year as he is second in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,088.

Tight ends Dwayne Allen and Jack Doyle have really become weapons in the passing game. Allen had a three touchdown performance against the Jets on Monday night and right now Doyle is second on the team in receiving yards. Donte Moncrief is actually leading the team in touchdowns with six.

Defensively it has been more of the same for the last decade. They rank 28th against the pass and 20th against the run. Unfortunatley for them leading tackler D’qwell Jackson is now gone for the regular season under a drug suspension. But Erik Walden has eight sacks, which is over a third of their total of 23.

Their schedule down the stretch is not very tough as they get the Texans at home, the Jaguars at home (trying to avenge their London loss) and going to a struggling Minnesota team that plays in a dome. Their game in the black hole is going to difficult.

Predicted final record: 9-7; only falling in Oakland

Predicted final place: First

Tennessee Titans

Remaining schedule: Denver, @Kansas City, @Jacksonville, Houston

Division record: 1-3

Nov 6, 2016; San Diego, CA, USA; Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) carries the ball to score a touchdown as San Diego Chargers cornerback Adrian Phillips (31) defends during the second half at Qualcomm Stadium. San Diego won 43-35. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

This team is largely behind the eight ball to get into the playoffs. Even if optimistically they go 3-1 over their last four, both of the other teams need to go 2-2 or worse. They are guaranteed to have a worse division record than the Texans and have been swept by the Colts.

Still, the biggest thing is they have not been there before. Marcus Mariota has not felt the pressure of a playoff run and neither have many of their players or head coach.

They have leaned on the running game all year as DeMarco Murray has revived the running game which was nonexistent last season. With 1,043 rushing yards, he is second in the league behind only Ezekiel Elliott. They are a big and tough offensive line that grinds down opponents and imposes their will on them.

Defensively, they have been solid against the run all year but have had their issues in the secondary. That is no fault of Brian Orakpo, who has had a good year rushing the passer. Fortunately, none of their last four opponents have stellar passing attacks.

Predicted final record: 7-9 or 8-8. If Trevor Siemian plays for the Broncos on Sunday then I think the Broncos win, if not I’ll say the Titans win. I have them losing in Kansas City and then in a rare display of pride the Jaguars upset them in week 16 before the they return the favor and upset the Texans in week 17.

Predicted final place: Third

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