AFC South Week Eight Update: Colts Still in First Place

The Colts lost this weekend, but how did the rest of the division do?  Let's take a look at how each of the four teams in the division fared:

Houston Texans (4-4)

Place: 2nd

Last Week:  Won 30-16 over the Tennessee Titans

This Week: host the Philadelphia Eagles

The Texans notched their first division win on Sunday by defeating the Titans handily in Tennessee, 30-16.  Arian Foster rushed for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns while averaging 7.6 yards per carry and also added 22 yards and a touchdown on 4 receptions.  J.J. Watt notched 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, two quarterback hits, and a pass deflection.  Basically, as you might have expected, the Texans were led by their two biggest stars.

Tennessee Titans (2-6)

Place: 3rd

Last Week: Lost 16-30 to the Houston Texans

This Week: at the Baltimore Ravens

The Titans continued their dismal season in the loss to the Texans, falling to 2-6 on the year.  Rookie quarterback Zach Mettenberger made his first career NFL start and showed promise in the game, completing 27 of 41 passes for 299 yards and two touchdowns with a pick and a lost fumble.  He didn't get much help, however, as the team rushed for just 36 yards and 2.8 yards per carry and the defense, despite recording 5 sacks, gave up 30 points and didn't force a turnover.  Mettenberger showed promise, but the Titans as a team didn't.

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-7)

Place: 4th

Last Week: Lost 13-27 to the Miami Dolphins

This Week: at the Cincinnati Bengals

For the Jaguars this year the focus is primarily on Blake Bortles and his development rather than the team's success (because, let's face it, the Jaguars stink).  Sunday was a step back for Bortles, as he completed 18 of 34 passes for 221 yards and a touchdown but also threw two picks and made some very bad decisions and throws - including both picks, which were returned for touchdowns.  .  His passer rating was just 58.6 and his QBR was just 2.8.  Bortles still has a lot of promise, but just like any rookie quarterback he has ups and downs.  An encouraging sign for the Jaguars on Sunday was running back Denard Robinson, who rushed for 108 yards on 18 carries (6.0 yards per carry).  Rookie wide receiver Allen Robinson caught 5 passes for 82 yards and a touchdown.  Ultimately, however, the team couldn't overcome turning the ball over three times, including two pick-sixes.  The defense gave up just 13 points while the offense gave up two touchdowns, and that was the difference in the game.

Indianapolis Colts (5-3)

Place: 1st

Last Week: Lost 34-51 to the Pittsburgh Steelers

This Week: at the New York Giants

The Colts, fresh off of a shutout the week before, gave up 51 points and 639 yards to the Steelers, including a huge day for quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.  No pass rush whatsoever contributed to an awful day for the Colts' defense.  Andrew Luck and the offense put up 34 points and 448 yards on the road, including Luck throwing for 400 yards and three touchdowns (with two picks) despite constant pressure all game.  T.Y. Hilton caught 6 passes for 155 yards and a touchdown while rookie Donte Moncrief caught 7 passes for 113 yards and a touchdown.  Despite the 17-point loss, however, the Colts remain in first place in the AFC South and still have a point differential of +63, the third best number in the league and easily the best in the AFC South (by a wide margin).