With half of the season gone, AFC South gets to be the most interesting division in the league, as each team is trailing by one win, and spots are opened for a place in the playoffs.





Reigning champions, Indianapolis Colts (7-1), had suffered their first defeat of the season, when they played at home against the New England Patriots (8-0), ending a 13 games winning streak at RCA Dome. Although winning so far all divisional games, the Colts suffer in offense, as WR Marvin Harrison, a favourite target for Payton Maninng’s passes, had suffered an injury at the beginning of the season, and still hasn’t recovered, his absence being felt by the Colts during thier duel with the Patriots. Colts came close on winning the batlle of the undefeated teams of the league, but Manning wasn’t able to convert twice on 3rd down situation, as he fumbled the ball, turning it over to the Patriots. Now, the Colts has to rally strong , as they play against the Chargers in week 10, a team that needs to win, to keep their hopes alive for playoffs. And, as no one doubts that the Colts will win the division, everyone seems to wait for a rematch with the Patriots, in the playoffs, maybe a replay of the 2006 AFC Championship game.



Tennessee Titans (6-2), had had a great start, with 2nd year experince QB Vince Young to begin the season. But as games continued, and Young got hurt, being replaced by backup veteran Kerry Collins, the Titans had suffered in offense. In week 8, against a struggling Raiders, Vince Young was kept at a low 42 passing yards. Luckly for the Titans, their impressive defence played at its best, and in week 9, against carolina Panthers, they sacked QB David Carr seven times. For Titans, their next game, at home against division rivals Jacksonville Jaguars could be very important. If they win, Titans will keep closely behind champions Colts, and farther from their followers, and it would be one more step toward qualifying in the playoffs.



Jaguars (5-3), will play in week 10 in Tennessee, a rematch of week 1, when in Jacksonville, they lost 10-13. Coach Jack Del Rio hopes for the return of their starting QB, David Garrard, the only quarterback in the league among starting QBs with no interception. His injury in week 6, in a Monday Night Football game against Colts had changed things in offense as backup QB Quinn Gray, had the chance to play his first games as starter. Ever since he took the job, Gray threw for 3 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Fortunately, Jaguars can count on RB Fred Taylor, who approaches 10,000 yards rushing in his impressive 10 year career, and RB Maurice Jones Drew, also a specialist kick returner, who just broke a team record by returning 100 yards for touchdown in week 9, in New Orleans. In defence, Jaguars will have to do without defensive tackle Marcus Stroud, who broke the NFL steroids and related substances policy, and received a four weeks suspensions. A win in Tennessee will tie the Jaguars to their rivals.



The Houston Texans (4-5), had started well the season, with two wins, but got lost in the meanwhile as several players in offense suffered injuries that had made a huge impact on the team’s performance: RB Ahman Green, WR Andre Johnson, QB Matt Schaub. In week 9, Texans won their fourth game, in Oakland, with a spectacular performance by RB Ron Dayne (122 rushing yards, a touchdown), and backup QB Sage Rosenfels, who saved the day in the fourth quarter, on a connection with WR Andre Davis on a 42 yard TD pass. Week 10 is a bye week for the Texans, and comes at a good moment, as the team will deal with injuries and will have more time for practice and rest for the other half of the season.