The AFC South did not have a strong Week 2 of the preseason, going 1-3 collectively. The one win came from a Houston Texans team which went 2-14 last year.
Still, there’s hope in this division going into Week 3 of preseason action. In the three losses last week, the teams lost by a combined nine points. It’s hard to read much into scores of preseason games, but this could show that each is close to its competition.
Regardless, Week 3 is the most important preseason game on the schedule. This is where the Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Jacksonville Jaguars and Texans will show if they are ready for the regular season. Here’s what you should watch for.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Detroit Lions, 8/22, 7:30 p.m.
The Jaguars will be depending on a few unproven pieces this year, and the preseason is a great outlet to give each the experience he needs before the regular season. However, the likes of Toby Gerhart and Marqise Lee haven’t gotten as much production as they need.
Gerhart missed the first preseason game with a hip flexor injury and returned to rush for 19 yards on six carries. This game will be a good estimation of where Gerhart is with the Jaguars’ offense.
Lee, on the other hand, had a strong Week 2 of the preseason, with four catches and a touchdown. However, he needs to keep that production up, as he’ll be the No. 2 receiver behind Cecil Shorts to start the season.
The Lions defense ranked 16th in the league last year, so this could be a good chance to get work in offensively.
Tennesse Titans vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8/23, 7 p.m.
The Titans have a dilemma at the quarterback position, as Jake Locker has not shown to be a reliable starter just yet. He is taking strides, but this year proves to be his best chance to display what he can bring for the Titans.
In two preseason games, Locker is 9-for-13, so he’s off to a good start. However, so is Zach Mettenberger. Locker will have to attack this Falcons defense that ranked 21st last season.
If Locker can have a strong 2014 season, the Titans have the pieces around him to make a playoff run. With Kendall Wright and Nate Washington lining up with Locker, his job won’t be as difficult as other NFL quarterback.
New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts, 8/23, 8 p.m.
The Colts went through the New York Giants and Jets and came out with two losses. Not the start a reigning division champion is looking for.
In last week’s game against the Giants, the Colts ran for just 59 yards. The running back situation was supposed to be solved when the team traded for Trent Richardson in the middle of last season, but a combination of weak running and a sub-par offensive line created a problem at the position.
Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw will need to bring it together in Week 3 of the preseason to show Chuck Pagano that he can rely on the two backs. If not, more experiments could commence throughout the season.
Houston Texans vs. Denver Broncos, 8/23, 9 p.m.
The Texans have turned in two completely different results thus far in the preseason, with a 32-0 loss to the Arizona Cardinals and a 32-7 win over the Falcons. The Texans struggled passing in the first game, but turned it around for Week 2.
However, having Ryan Fitzpatrick as the Week 1 starter doesn’t seem like something a winning team would do. That’s how drastic the quarterback battle is in Houston.
A defense with Jadeveon Clowney and J.J. Watt should improve from last year, but an offense without Ben Tate and an unreliable quarterback could be a step backawards.
Look to see what Fitzpatrick does in this dress rehearsal, as it is his job to lose. If the Texans fail to do anything on offense, though, it might not his job for long.