AFC stock reports: Chiefs climb, Colts and Patriots fall
The AFC South remains a major question mark
It’s hard to predict what will happen over the second half of the season when it comes to the AFC South. Easily the closest division from top to bottom through nine weeks, it seems clear that anyone could win the division. The Houston Texans and Indianapolis Colts remain the front runners for most likely to come out on top, but the season is far from over.
The South saw another lead change following the Colts loss and Texans win. Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson continues his MVP candidate season putting together consistent performances of clutch plays throughout 2019. Although, nothing beats his play from Week 8 where he spun out of a sack while being kicked in the eye by a defensive lineman’s cleat, only to throw a touchdown while wondering if his eye was still in its socket.
Deshaun Watson's kicked-in-the-eye touchdown pass with overlaid commentary from (breath): Watson, Carlos Hyde, DeAndre Hopkins, Jon Gruden, and Bill O'Brien.
— Rivers McCown (@riversmccown) October 28, 2019
"I kind of threw it blind."
"You see Michael Jordan ... you see some of the great athletic plays in any sport." pic.twitter.com/JgvEaMCYSV
Without starting left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the offensive line allowed a single sack on Watson. While the line wasn’t atrocious, most of the reasoning was due to Watson’s ability to shake off defenders and extend plays. Probably the most upgraded part of Watson’s game over 2018 is his ability to get the ball out quicker this season. Watson moving from the bottom of the league at 3.01 seconds in 2018 to 2.79 seconds in 2019 putting him around the middle.
The Tennessee Titans sit at the bottom of the division (4-5). The loss to the Carolina Panthers just a week after the Panthers were embarrassed in a blowout against the San Francisco 49ers shows how the team is hard to take seriously. After going scoreless in the first half, the Titans bounced back on their first drive with a touchdown. All was looking well for Tennessee as they held the Panthers to what looked to be a three and out the following drive, only to give up a first down on a fake punt by the Panthers.
On 4th and 4 in their own territory, the Panthers successfully convert a fake punt pic.twitter.com/nyvqNj8ByR
— Main Team (@MainTeamSports) November 3, 2019
Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey continued his MVP campaign with another electrifying performance by averaging 6.1 yards per carry running for 146 yards and two touchdowns. He put up another 20 yards and a touchdown through the air against the Titans. It looks to be another middle of the road season for Mike Vrabel and the Tennessee Titans. Following the benching of Marcus Mariota in favor of Ryan Tannehill, could we see the team elect to draft a new franchise quarterback in 2020?
Indianapolis will have to make up ground over the Texans after suffering a loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Head coach Frank Reich told The Indianapolis Star following the loss that he believes the injury to Brissett to be a sprain, but possibly an MCL injury. Brian Hoyer came in following the injury to Brissett in the second quarter, but if Hoyer is expected to play considerable time, it could be hard for the Colts to climb back up to the second seed spot in the AFC. The one good thing is that the team will face the Miami Dolphins next week.