NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Houston Texans
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: First in AFC South
Record: 9-7, lost wild-card playoff
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 5-1
Total offense: 347.8 (19th)
Rushing: 108.2 (15th)
Passing: 239.6 (18th)
Total defense: 310.2 (3rd)
Rushing: 99.8 (10th)
Passing: 210.4 (3rd)
COACH: Bill O’Brien
3rd season as Texans/NFL head coach
18-15 overall; 0-1 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–The Texans are regarded as a tough, resilient team that endured a lot of injuries in recent seasons. They head into this season with the heart of their defense — hell, the best defensive player in the league — bothered by injuries that seem to come more often. Had to imagine the Texans without J. J. Watt, but he is only human, right? After making it to the playoffs with no real starting quarterback, the Texans bought one in Brock Osweiler. The mood in the locker room is upbeat while realizing they are already competitive in their division and now look beyond. By the way, the next Super Bowl is in Houston, regardless.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Brock Osweiler, Backups — Tom Savage, Brandon Weeden.
RUNNING BACKS: Starters — Lamar Miller, FB Jay Prosch. Backups — Alfred Blue, Jonathan Grimes, Tyler Ervin
TIGHT ENDS: Starter — C.J. Fiedorowicz. Backups: Ryan Griffin, Stephen Anderson.
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — DeAndre Hopkins, Will Fuller. Backups — Jaelen Strong, Braxton Miller, Keith Mumphery.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Duane Brown, LG Xavier Su’a-Filo, C Greg Mancz, RG Jeff Allen, RT Derek Newton. Backups — T Chris Clark, T Kendall Lamm, G Oday Aboushi, C-G Tony Bergstrom.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DLE J.J. Watt, NT Vince Wilfork, DRE Christian Covington. Backups — DE Devon Still, DE Joel Heath.
LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Jadeveon Clowney, MLB Brian Cushing, ILB Benardrick McKinney, OLB Whitney Mercilus. Backups — OLB John Simon, ILB Akeem Dent, ILB Max Bullough.
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Johnathan Joseph, RCB Kareem Jackson, FS Andre Hal, SS Quintin Demps. Backups — CB Kevin Johnson, CB A.J. Bouye, CB Charles James, S K.J. Dillon, S Corey Moore, S Eddie Pleasant.
SPECIALISTS: K Nick Novak, P Shane Lechler, LS Jon Weeks, KR Tyler Ervin.
PRACTICE SQUAD: WR Quenton Bundrage, T Joseph Cheek, DE Brandon Dunn, RB Akeem Hunt, DE Ufomba Kamalu, OLB Eric Lee, CB Robert Nelson, LB Shakeel Rashad, G Chad Slade, TE Eric Tomlinson.
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, CHICAGO, 12:00
Sept. 18, KANSAS CITY, 12:00
Sept. 22, at New England (Thu.), 7:25
Oct. 2, TENNESSEE, 12:00
Oct. 9, at Minnesota, 12:00
Oct. 16, INDIANAPOLIS, 7:30
Oct. 24, at Denver (Mon.), 7:30
Oct. 30, DETROIT, 12:00
OPEN DATE
Nov. 13, at Jacksonville, 12:00
Nov. 21, at Oakland (Mexico City, 7:30
Nov. 27, SAN DIEGO, 12:00
Dec. 4, at Green Bay, 12:00
Dec. 11, at Indianapolis, 12:00
Dec. 18, JACKSONVILLE, 12:00
Dec. 24, CINCINNATI (Sat.), 7:25
Jan. 1, at Tennessee, 12:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Indianapolis Colts
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Second in AFC South
Record: 8-8
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 4-2
Total offense: 321.4 (28th)
Rushing: 89.9 (29th)
Passing: 231.5 (22nd)
Total defense: 379.1 (26th)
Rushing: 122.0: (25th)
Passing: 257.1 (24th)
COACH: Chuck Pagano
5th season as Colts/NFL head coach
44-26 overall; 3-3 postseason
XTRA FACTOR
–Can the Colts get through a full season without losing key starters to serious injuries? Will Andrew Luck be able to return to form and be a productive quarterback for Indianapolis? If the answer is yes to both of those questions, the Colts have a real chance at returning to the playoffs after a one-year hiatus and could even make a lengthy post-season run. Another big key for Indianapolis, though, will be how quickly new defensive coordinator Ted Monachino can work his magic. The Colts must find a way to rush the passer with most of the same pieces in places from the 2015 season.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Andrew Luck. Backups — Stephen Morris, Scott Tolzien
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — Frank Gore. Backups — Josh Ferguson, Jordan Todman, Robert Turbin
TIGHT ENDS: Starter –Dwayne Allen. Backups — Jack Doyle, Erik Swoope
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — T.Y. Hilton, Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett. Backups — Quan Bray, Chester Rogers
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Anthony Castonzo, LG Jack Mewhort, C Ryan Kelly, RG Denzelle Good, RT Joe Reitz. Backups — C/G Austin Blythe, T Le’Raven Clark, G/T Joe Haeg, C/G Jonotthan Harrison.
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Kendall Langford, NT David Parry. DT Zach Kerr. Backups — T Henry Anderson, T T.Y. McGill, T Hassan Ridgeway, DT Art Jones (suspended four games).
LINEBACKERS: Starters — OLB Robert Mathis, ILB D’Qwell Jackson, ILB Sio Moore, OLB Erik Walden. Backups — OLB Trent Cole, ILB Edwin Jackson, OLB Curt Magitt, ILB Josh McNary, ILB Antonio Morrison
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Antonio Cromartie, S Mike Adams, S T.J. Green, CB Patrick Robinson. Backups — CB Darius Butler, S Matthias Farley, S Winston Guy, CB Darryl Morris, CB Neiko Thorpe, CB Vontae Davis, S Clayton Geathers.
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Adam Vinatieri, P Pat McAfee, LS Matt Overton, PR/KR Quan Bray
PRACTICE SQUAD: DE Sterling Bailey, ILB Trevor Bates, S Lee Hightower, TE Mike Miller, CB Christopher Milton, DT Kelcy Quarles, OG Adam Redmond, WR Tevaun Smith and OT Jeremy Vujnovich
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, DETROIT, 4:25
Sept. 18, at Denver, 4:25
Sept. 25, SAN DIEGO, 4:25
Oct. 2, at Jacksonville (London), 9:30
Oct. 9, CHICAGO, 1:00
Oct. 16, at Houston, 8:30
Oct. 23, at Tennessee, 1:00
Oct. 30, KANSAS CITY, 1:00
Nov. 6, at Green Bay, 4:25
OPEN DATE
Nov. 20, TENNESSEE, 1:00
Nov. 24, PITTSBURGH (Thu.), 8:30
Dec. 5, at N.Y. Jets (Mon.), 8:30
Dec. 11, HOUSTON, 1:00
Dec. 18, at Minnesota, 1:00
Dec. 24, at Oakland (Sat.), 4:05
Jan. 1, JACKSONVILLE, 1:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Jacksonville Jaguars
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Third in AFC South
Record: 5-11
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5
Total offense: 348.8 (18th)
Rushing: 92.1 (27th)
Passing: 256.8 (10th)
Total defense: 375.0 (24th)
Rushing: 106.8 (15th)
Passing: 268.2 (29th)
COACH: Gus Bradley
4th season as Jaguars/NFL head coach
12-36 overall
XTRA FACTOR
–The NFL did the Jaguars no favors with this year’s schedule. The Jags start the season facing four veteran quarterbacks — Aaron Rodgers, Philip Rivers, Joe Flacco and Andrew Luck. The new defense will have to be ready from Day 1 to face this gauntlet.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Blake Bortles. Backups — Chad Henne, Brandon Allen
RUNNING BACKS: Chris Ivory/TJ Yeldon. Backups — Denard Robinson, Corey Grant
TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Julius Thomas, Marcedes Lewis. Backups — Ben Koyack, Neal Sterling
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Allen Robinson, Allen Hurns, Marqise Lee. Backups — Rashad Greene, Arrelious Benn, Bryan Walters.
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Kelvin Beachum, LG Luke Joeckel, C Brandon Linder, RG A.J. Cann, RT Jeremy Parnell. Backups — T Patrick Omameh, G Curtis Reed, G Tyler Shatley
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Dante Fowler Jr., DT Malik Jackson, DT Roy Miller, DE Jared Odrick. Backups — DT Sen’Derrick Marks, DE Yannick Ngakoue, DT Sheldon Day, DT/DE Tyson Alualu, DT Arby Jones, DE Chris Smith
LINEBACKERS: Starters — WLB Dan Skuta, MLB Paul Posluszny, SLB Telvin Smith. Backups — WLB Myles Jack, SLB Hayes Pullard, LB Arthur Brown
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — CB Jalen Ramsey, CB Davon House, FS Tashaun Gipson, SS Johnathan Cyprien. Backups — CB Prince Amukamara, CB Dwayne Gratz, CB Josh Johnson, FS Peyton Thompson, SS Jarrod Wilson, CB Aaron Colvin (suspended four games), S Marqueston Huff suspended one game).
SPECIAL TEAMS: P Brad Nortman, K Jason Myers, LS Carson Tinker
PRACTICE SQUAD: T Rashod Hill, DT Richard Ash, CB Nick Marshall, LB Sean Porter, OL Jeremiah Poutasi, TE Alex Ellis, RB Bronson Hill, WR Shane Wynn, WR Rashad
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, GREEN BAY, 1:00
Sept. 18, at San Diego, 4:25
Sept. 25, BALTIMORE, 1:00
Oct. 2, INDIANAPOLIS (London), 9:30
OPEN DATE
Oct. 16, at Chicago, 1:00
Oct. 23, OAKLAND, 1:00
Oct. 27, at Tennessee (Thu.), 8:25
Nov. 6, at Kansas City, 1:00
Nov. 13, HOUSTON, 1:00
Nov. 20, at Detroit, 1:00
Nov. 27, at Buffalo, 1:00
Dec. 4, DENVER, 1:00
Dec. 11, MINNESOTA, 1:00
Dec. 18, at Houston, 1:00
Dec. 24, TENNESSEE (Sat.), 1:00
Jan. 1, at Indianapolis, 1:00
NFL 2016 Season Analysis: Tennessee Titans
FACTS AND STATS
2015 Finish: Fourth in AFC South
Record: 3-13
DIVISIONAL RECORD: 1-5
Total offense: 311.8 (30h)
Rushing: 92.8 (25th)
Passing: 218.9 (T25th)
Total defense: 342.2 (12th)
Rushing: 112.3 (18th)
Passing: 229.9 (7th)
COACH: Mike Mularkey
1st full season with Titans
2-7 overall
4th full season as NFL head coach
18-39 overall
XTRA FACTOR
–After bottoming out the past couple of years, the Titans have found a breath of fresh air in GM Jon Robinson’s approach. While head coach Mike Mularkey must prove himself to fans, it is evident that the attitude in Tennessee has changed for the better.
2016 UNIT-BY-UNIT ANALYSIS
By TSX reporter covering team:
QUARTERBACKS: Starter — Marcus Mariota. Backups — Matt Cassel, Alex Tanney
RUNNING BACKS: Starter — DeMarco Murray. Backups — Derrick Henry, FB Jalston Fowler, Antonio Andrews
TIGHT ENDS: Starters — Delanie Walker, Anthony Fasano. Backups — Jace Amaro, Phillip Supernaw
WIDE RECEIVERS: Starters — Tajae Sharpe, Rishard Matthews. Backups — Andre Johnson, Kendall Wright, Harry Douglas, Marc Mariani
OFFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — LT Taylor Lewan, LG Quinton Spain, C Ben Jones, RG Chance Warmack, RT Jack Conklin. Backups — C/G Brian Schwenke, G Sebastian Tretola, T/G Dennis Kelly
DEFENSIVE LINEMEN: Starters — DE Jurrell Casey, NT Al Woods, DE DaQuan Jones. Backups — DE Karl Klug, DE Angelo Blackson, NT Austin Johnson
LINEBACKER: Starters — LOLB Derrick Morgan, LILB Wesley Woodyard, RILB Avery Williamson, ROLB Brian Orakpo. Backups — OLB David Bass, ILB Sean Spence, ILB Nate Palmer, OLB Kevin Dodd, LB Aaron Wallace
DEFENSIVE BACKS: Starters — LCB Perrish Cox, FS Rashad Johnson, SS Da’Norris Searcy, RCB Jason McCourty. Backups — CB Brice McCain, CB Antwon Blake, S Kevin Byard, S Daimion Stafford, CB Cody Riggs, CB LeShaun Sims
SPECIAL TEAMS: K Ryan Succop, P Brett Kern, LS Beau Brinkley, KR Marc Mariani
PRACTICE SQUAD: CB Kalan Reed, S Curtis Riley, WR Ben Roberts, DE Mehdi Abdesmad, TE Jerome Cunningham, T Tyler Marz, C Ronald Patrick, LB Justin Staples, NT Antwaun Woods
2016 SCHEDULE
All times Eastern
Sept. 11, MINNESOTA, 12:00
Sept. 18, at Detroit, 12:00
Sept. 25, OAKLAND, 12:00
Oct. 2, at Houston, 12:00
Oct. 9, at Miami, 12:00
Oct. 16, CLEVELAND, 12:00
Oct. 23, INDIANAPOLIS, 12:00
Oct. 27, JACKSONVILLE (Thu.), 7:25
Nov. 6, at San Diego, 3:25
Nov. 13, GREEN BAY, 12:00
Nov. 20, at Indianapolis, 12:00
Nov. 27, at Chicago, 12:00
OPEN DATE
Dec. 11, DENVER, 12:00
Dec. 18, at Kansas City, 12:00
Dec. 24, at Jacksonville (Sat.), 12:00
Jan. 1, HOUSTON, 12:00