AFC South: Colts are California Dreamin'

Football Betting Lines

12/30/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray in Indianapolis, but in less than a week the Colts will be safe and warm in San Diego, preparing for the Chargers in the opening round of the AFC Playoffs.

Indianapolis, currently the hottest team entering the playoffs with nine straight wins, closed out the regular season with a 12-4 mark and extended its own NFL record by winning 12 or more games for the sixth straight year after last Sunday's 23-0 win over Tennessee. The resurgence came at the perfect time for the Colts, as they prepare to visit San Diego for the second time in just over a month.

"You don't take for granted winning football games," Colts All-Pro quarterback Peyton Manning said. To win 12 games this year, especially being 3-4, is a testament to our players and coaches for grinding away, continuing to work and staying together. Obviously, we want to keep it going."

The fifth-seeded Colts already defeated the Chargers, 23-20, on the road on November 23 thanks to Adam Vinatieri's 51-yard field goal with time expiring, avenging a loss to the Chargers in Indianapolis during the Divisional Round of last year's AFC Playoffs. But now San Diego is riding a four-game winning streak and defeated Denver Sunday night to capture the AFC West division crown. Running back and former NFL MVP LaDainian Tomlinson is heating up at the right time for the Chargers, while quarterback Philip Rivers has been playing much like his upcoming counterpart in Manning.

Manning is aiming for another MVP award this season and went 7-of-7 for 95 yards with one touchdown and a perfect passer rating of 158.3 against the Titans, extending his NFL record of 4,000-yard seasons to nine before leaving after one series of action. He has been sizzling in December, having thrown for eight touchdowns and no interceptions with a rating of no less than 110.0 in each game.

Manning sent the Colts into the playoffs for a seventh straight season with a victory in Jacksonville in Week 16, and has to be frothing at the mouth to get a few shots against San Diego's 31st-rated pass defense. Wideouts Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison and tight end Dallas Clark are all Pro Bowl-caliber players who will see a fair share of passes headed their way this Sunday under the California sun. Harrison just made history last Sunday by passing Cris Carter for second on the NFL's all-time reception list.

San Diego defensive backs Quentin Jammer, Antonio Cromartie and Antoine Cason combined for just six interceptions this season.

NOTES: Manning tied Drew Bledsoe for fifth on the NFL's all-time list for completions (3,839). He also tied Joe Montana for sixth place in NFL history with his 117th career victory...Harrison now has 1,102 receptions for 14,580 yards and 128 touchdowns for his career. He ended with 31 yards on seven catches on Sunday...Clark hauled in six passes for 59 yards on Sunday and finished the regular season with 77 receptions for 848 yards and six touchdowns...The Colts outgained Tennessee by a 274-30 margin in the first half...Colts backup quarterback Jim Sorgi finished 22-of-30 for 178 yards against Tennessee...With safeties Bob Sanders and Melvin Bullitt out, fourth- year veteran Matt Giordano made his first start of the season in the finale... Vinatieri surpassed 100 points for a 13th consecutive season.

INJURIES: The Colts rested a few players on Sunday, since the outcome had no effect on their season. Defensive starters Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis and Sanders were some of the players who sat. Linebacker and defensive captain Gary Brackett was inactive for a fourth straight game with a leg injury. Wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez suffered a hip injury early in the game and did not return. Linebacker Philip Wheeler and guard Mike Pollak also went down.

UP NEXT: If the Colts can get running backs Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes off to a solid start in Sunday's playoff game, then Manning will enjoy an easier time picking apart the Chargers' defense. Indy ended a three-game losing streak to San Diego in November but trails the all-time series, 15-10. The Colts, who must stop Tomlinson and apply pressure on Rivers, have won four of the last seven matchups with San Diego.

TITANS GET AN EXTRA WEEK OF REST

The Tennessee Titans started preparing and resting for the playoffs even before Sunday's 23-0 loss at Indianapolis. Head coach Jeff Fisher didn't want to show much against a Colts team he may very well face one more time before the NFL season comes to a close.

With players such as rookie phenom Chris Johnson inactive and quarterback Kerry Collins getting pulled after just three plays, Fisher was so lax that third-string signal-caller Chris Simms made his first appearance in more than two years, finishing just 1-for-7 for seven yards. Vince Young, the one-time heralded face of the organization, threw for 55 yards and ran for an additional 25 in his first extensive action since going down in Week 1. Young threw one pass for 54 yards in a Thanksgiving Day win at Detroit in Week 13.

The AFC South champion Titans already locked up homefield advantage throughout the conference playoffs with a hard-fought win over the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 16. Did they lose momentum by resting players in the regular-season finale at Indianapolis? Perhaps, but it won't be enough to slow Tennessee down in an AFC Divisional Playoff game set for January 10 at LP Field.

"Momentum is for the birds," Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan said. "You have to roll that thing out and play the game at a high level. If it's the Colts, that's great, but we look forward to playing any team at LP Field. We have two weeks to prepare and we look forward to the next challenge at hand."

While Tennessee's first playoff opponent has yet to be determined, the players are confident in their ability, no matter if it's Baltimore, Indianapolis or San Diego heading to Nashville next weekend. Johnson and fellow running back LenDale White played at an MVP level in the regular season, and the duo was a big reason why the Titans won their first 10 games and finished 13-3 for the first time since the 2000 campaign.

NOTES: Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck started his 113th consecutive game on Sunday...Titans defensive lineman Jacob Ford recorded his seventh sack of the season for the Titans, who were shut out for the first time since a 17-0 loss at Miami on November 7, 1999...White had 25 yards on seven carries against the Colts...The Titans allowed 12 sacks the entire season, nearly setting a franchise record. The Houston Oilers gave up 11 sacks in 1962 while residing in the AFL.

INJURIES: Tennessee reserve linebacker Josh Stamer suffered a groin injury in Sunday's loss. Other notable players who were deactivated by the Titans were center Kevin Mawae, defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth, defensive ends Kyle Vanden Bosch and Dave Ball, linebacker David Thornton and cornerback Nick Harper. Haynesworth and Vanden Bosch are nursing injuries and hope to be ready for next week's postseason.

UP NEXT: The well-rested Titans will be ready for whomever steps foot on LP Field in next weekend's Divisional Round of the AFC Playoffs. In its most recent playoff game, Tennessee suffered a 17-6 loss at San Diego in an AFC Wild Card showdown at Qualcomm Stadium on January 6, 2008. The Titans blew a 6-0 halftime lead and gave up 17 unanswered points.

TEXANS IMPRESS IN SEASON FINALE

Houston Texans sack master Mario Williams said the team's objective in last Sunday's finale was to ruin the Chicago Bears' season. Williams and the Texans did just that in a 31-24 victory at Reliant Stadium, knocking the Bears out of the playoff picture and into hibernation.

Williams posted a sack in the win and finished with 12 on the season, two shy of a career-high 14 set a year ago. He helped the Texans finish 8-8 for the second consecutive year, but will not have defensive coordinator Richard Smith back in 2009.

Smith, defensive backs coach Jon Hoke and defensive line coach Jethro Franklin were all dismissed Tuesday after directing a unit that finished 27th in points allowed (394), 22nd in yards allowed (336.6 ypg), 23rd against the rush (122.6 ypg) and 17th against the pass (213.9 ypg).

It is still uncertain if assistant head coach Alex Gibbs will return for next season. Gibbs came out of retirement to sign a one-year contract with the Texans last offseason and his deal expires in mid-February. Ray Rhodes served as assistant defensive backs coach and is expected to return in 2009. Rhodes, a former NFL Coach of the Year with Philadelphia, has the admiration from Kubiak.

"I'm expecting Ray to come back and help our football team in some capacity," Kubiak added. "I think he definitely helped us. I know he helped me. I think a lot of Ray Rhodes, and like I said, I expect him to be here helping us again."

Williams and linebacker DeMeco Ryans were the leaders of Houston's mediocre stop unit, with Ryans leading the team in tackles once again with 112. Williams left Sunday's game in the third quarter with a groin injury, but the problem is not expected to be serious.

Top cornerback Dunta Robinson returned from a devastating leg injury that occurred last season to post two picks and six passes defensed in 11 games in 2008. Robinson is Houston's career interceptions leader with 13 and will be a free agent this offseason.

Robinson has openly stated he would like to finish his career as a Texan and Kubiak feels the same way. Kubiak expressed his pleasure in Robinson during their one-on-one meetings, but understands it's a business. The Texans drafted Robinson 10th overall in 2004, and he missed the first six games of the 2008 season while rehabbing knee and hamstring injuries.

Even though the Texans defense struggled most of the season, the unit was instrumental in helping the team win five of the last six games of the season. The Texans became the 10th team in NFL history to start 0-4 or worse and end .500 or better.

While the defense had its moments in 2008, it was the potent Houston offense that stole the show.

Houston has a new version of the Triplets, much like the Cowboys of the 1990's did with quarterback Troy Aikman, running back Emmitt Smith and wide receiver Michael Irvin. The Texans put up some of the best numbers in franchise history behind quarterback Matt Schaub, All-Pro wideout Andre Johnson and rookie running back Steve Slaton. Houston ended third in the NFL in total offense (382.1 ypg) and fourth in passing yards (266.7) this season, and owe a lot of credit to Johnson.

Johnson hauled in 10 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns in Sunday's win and had at least 10 catches in a game for an NFL-record seventh time this season. He led the league with 115 receptions and 1,575 receiving yards, and recorded 100 yards or more receiving eight times. Johnson's receiving yards are the most in the league since Rams receiver Torry Holt had 1,696 yards in 2003.

"Any time we can get (Johnson) the football and give him the opportunity to make big plays, he does it," Schaub said of the Pro Bowl-bound wideout. "That's a credit to a lot of things we do in the run game and other guys making plays, so they can't focus on him as much. That leaves him to make some plays."

Slaton made some headlines in the backfield this season and finished the year with 1,282 rushing yards, the sixth-most in the NFL and the highest total among rookies this season. He posted 92 yards and a score on 20 touches versus the Bears to end the season with nine rushing scores. The West Virginia product eclipsed the century mark rushing six times in 2008 and has a bright future ahead of him.

Slaton, Johnson and Schaub will do some more damage next season if they can all stay healthy. Schaub missed some time with health issues and returned to pass for a career high 3,043 yards with 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.

NOTES: Houston posted 455 yards of offense and held Chicago to 69 yards rushing on Sunday...The Texans finished the year averaging 382.1 yards per game...Schaub finished 27-of-36 for 328 yards and two touchdowns against the Bears and did not throw an interception. He had a passer rating of 121.1...Backup running back Ryan Moats had 38 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries.

INJURIES: The only significant injury on Sunday was to Williams' groin. Kubiak said the trainers tried to tape Williams' leg to no avail.

UP NEXT: Houston has the potential to make some noise in the AFC South next season. It split the season series with Tennessee and Jacksonville and lost both meetings with Indianapolis. Kubiak has a strong nucleus of talent right now that can only get better from here on out. According to the team's official site, Houston will host Tennessee, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Seattle, San Francisco, Oakland, New England and the New York Jets in 2009. The Texans will visit the Titans, Colts, Jaguars, Cardinals, Rams, Dolphins, Bills and Bengals.

JAGS SET FOR BUSY OFFSEASON

The Jacksonville Jaguars must start making changes immediately, and perhaps a quality draft for once can finally make a difference. Jaguars cornerback and 2002 Buck Buchanan Award winner Rashean Mathis is the only Pro Bowl player drafted by Jacksonville over the last six years.

One Pro Bowl selection in six years is just plain horrible. No wonder, then, that vice president of player personnel James 'Shack' Harris is already without a job. So now it's up to former pro and college scouting director Gene Smith to get cracking with head coach Jack Del Rio on breaking down talent in the college ranks in order to restore the franchise to glory.

Besides terrible drafts, the Jaguars dealt with injuries, a divided locker room and money issues in 2008 after enjoying a deep run into the playoffs a year prior. Jacksonville went 11-5 in 2007, defeated Pittsburgh in the opening round of the playoffs and almost handed New England its first loss of the season in the divisional round. A 27-7 loss versus Baltimore this past Sunday dropped the Jags to 5-11, the team's worst finish since an identical mark in 2003. The Jaguars also ended last in their division for the first time since the 2001 squad ended fifth in the former AFC Central.

Jacksonville's once-dominant ground attack featuring Maurice Jones-Drew and Fred Taylor took a huge step back this season, largely because of a few season-ending injuries along the offensive line. Chris Naeole, Richard Collier, Mo Williams and Vinny Manuwai were all lost for the season and Brad Meester battled through pain early in the year. Taylor was also inactive for the final three games due to injury and may not be back in 2009, since it's quite clear Jones-Drew is the featured back for years to come.

Quarterback David Garrard will be in Jacksonville for years to come as well, but fans probably are thinking twice after what they witnessed this season. Garrard was rewarded with a contract extension in the offseason after a highly-efficient year. Even though he passed for 3,620 yards this season, Garrard was still picked off 13 times and threw 15 touchdown passes. In Sunday's loss to the Ravens, Garrard went 14-of-25 for 127 yards with a pair of interceptions and a touchdown strike. He had 18 touchdown passes to just three interceptions in 2007.

The team tried to bring in some help for Garrard by adding wideouts Jerry Porter and Troy Williamson. The move was a huge failure, as both receivers battled injuries and combined for 16 receptions, 210 yards and two touchdowns. Some receivers in the league can do that in one game. Matt Jones led the Jaguars with 65 catches for 761 yards and a pair of scores despite missing the last three games because of a suspension stemming from an offseason arrest.

Fellow wide receiver Reggie Williams reportedly took the nameplate from his locker after Sunday's loss and feels he will not be in Jacksonville's future plans. Williams had a team-high three touchdown catches and couldn't do much to bail out a streaky Garrard. Dennis Northcutt is not the answer at wideout either, and you can only use Jones-Drew out of the backfield so many times.

"As a coach and quarterback, we understand that you're going to get the criticism when you don't get wins," Del Rio said on the team's official site. "I think David's a good quarterback. Obviously, you want to throw touchdowns and not interceptions. I think he battled hard all year. I think there are things he'll do better going forward."

Del Rio can only hope, since he's walking on egg shells right now despite inking a contract extension over the summer as well. A 2-8 finish over the last 10 games, which was exactly what happened under Del Rio, certainly shouldn't prevent anyone from updating their resume, either.

The Jacksonville defense also deteriorated this season under the former NFL linebacker's watch. The stop unit had established a reputation for being one of the best in the league, but injuries and lack of motivation took their toll in 2008.

Big defensive tackle John Henderson seemed lost without running mate Marcus Stroud, who was traded to the Buffalo Bills in the offseason. Middle linebacker Mike Peterson had a fallout with Del Rio during a team meeting and eventually lost his starting job, while also being briefly sent home for insubordination. Linebackers Justin Durant, Clint Ingram and Daryl Smith are building blocks for a new defense.

The team, which could use help up front alongside Henderson, brought in defensive back Drayton Florence in the offseason, a move that added nothing to the mix. Luckily the Jaguars have cornerback and leading tackler Brian Williams and safeties Gerald Sensabaugh and Reggie Nelson. Brian Williams and Nelson each had two interceptions and Sensabaugh finished tied with Mathis for the team lead with four picks.

Jacksonville was 13th against the run and 24th in defending the pass in 2008. A year ago the unit was number two overall, fourth against the run and 10th against the pass.

NOTES: Running back Alvin Pearman was signed Thursday to replace Taylor on the roster and scored on a 23-yard pass from Garrard on Sunday...The Jaguars have made the playoffs only twice in Del Rio's six seasons with the team...Garrard became the first Jags quarterback to start all 16 games in a season under Del Rio and the first Jacksonville signal-caller to start 16 games since Mark Brunell in 2000...Rookie defensive end Derrick Harvey had a career-high two sacks on Sunday and finished the year with 3 1/2...Defensive end Reggie Hayward led the team with 4 1/2 sacks this season. Hayward played in all 16 games for the first time since 2004 and third time in eight seasons.

INJURIES: There were no significant injuries for Jacksonville on Sunday.

UP NEXT: Jacksonville has a lot of work to do in order to save face for the 2009 season. Del Rio already stated that the Jaguars will be a smash-mouth team once again, starting with offseason conditioning programs. The talent is there in most positions, and the team just needs a few adjustments on both sides of the ball and minor changes to the coaching staff to make another run at the playoffs. Jacksonville has a busy schedule next season with Indianapolis, Tennessee, Houston, Buffalo, Miami, Arizona, St. Louis and Kansas City heading to town. The Jaguars will visit the Colts, Titans, Texans, Patriots, Jets, 49ers, Seahawks and Browns.