AFC South: Houston Remains Undefeated, Jaguars Lose Again, Colts Receive Bad News
It was business as usual for the AFC South in Week 4 as the Houston Texans won again and the Jacksonville Jaguars suffered another loss. The Indianapolis Colts had their bye week but heard some sad news affecting the rest of the season.
Houston (4-0) Defeats Tennessee (1-3) 38-14
Texans QB Matt Schaub
On Sunday, it was an all-around effort by the Texans for their fourth win. Defensively, safety Danieal Manning and cornerback Kareem Jackson picked off Tennessee and ran for touchdowns while quarterback Matt Schaub threw two touchdown passes and running back Arian Foster added one of his own.
The Texans led 14-7 at halftime but after the break, the defense got things going and the team broke ahead from their stalled offensive efforts.
Things were less rosy for the Titans.
Quarterback Jake Locker left the game in the first quarter, injuring his left non-throwing arm. On Monday, an MRI was inconclusive; the team is hopeful he’ll return for Sunday’s game against the tough Minnesota Vikings.
For Titans running back Chris Johnson, he busted out of his rut and carried 25 times for 141 yards. This was a season-high for him, representing triple the amount of rushing from the season’s previous three combined games.
The Texans are now 4-0, joining the Arizona Cardinals and the Atlanta Falcons with this record. Which team will fall first?
This week, the Texans will play the ailing New York Jets on Monday night. This could be an ugly one.
As for the others, the Falcons will play the surging Washington Redskins and the Arizona Cardinals will play the St. Louis Rams.
Looking ahead, the bettors see 5 to 1 odds for the Texans to win the Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bengals (3-1) Defeat Jacksonville Jaguars (1-3) 27-10
Titans QB Blaine Gabbert
In a battle of the sophomore quarterbacks, Bengals Andy Dalton outshone Jaguars Blaine Gabbert on Sunday.
Dalton completed 20 of 31 passes, 244 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.
With a depleted Bengals defense, the Jaguars put their eggs in the quarterback basket with Gabbert but he fell short, going 23 of 34 passes, 186 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
His offensive weapons didn’t have a great day either as running back Maurice Jones-Drew had 13 carries for 38 yards; wide receiver Justin Blackmon had 6 receptions for 48 yards and fellow receiver Laurent Robinson suffered his second concussion this season.
You can’t help but ask if the Jaguars are that bad or is Cincinnati that good. Maybe a little of both when considering Cincinnati had 382 total yards vs. Jacksonville’s 212. For the Bengals, it was the lowest number of yards the team had allowed since its game against the Baltimore Ravens at the end of the 2010 season (199 yards).
Next up for Jacksonville is the Chicago Bears.
Colts Chuck Pagano Diagnosed with Leukemia
Chuck Pagano
In a season full of change for the Indianapolis Colts, another curveball has been thrown this team’s way.
The Colts announced on Monday that its new head coach Chuck Pagano has been diagnosed with treatable leukemia. He is currently undergoing treatment and his return is to be determined.
There are hopes the first-season coach will be coaching in the press box later this season.
As for taking over his responsibilities in the interim, new offensive coordinator Bruce Arians is the team’s guy.
This week the Colts (1-2) will host the Green Bay Packers (2-2). In the short-term, the team is especially looking for a win in Pagano’s honor.
Colts owner Jim Irsay said on Monday, “I know in meeting with the team, in meeting with the coaches, there’s nothing more than we want to get that Green Bay game ball and have a victory game ball and be able to walk that into the hospital and put that in his hands. That’s our goal.”
The bettors are less enthusiastic about a Colts win and give Green Bay -7.5 with a 48.5 over/under.
