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1. Tennessee Titans

Predicted Finish: 12-4

Last Season: 7-9

Insight: Last season was lost to injuries to key players. Steve McNair was hampered all season with a sore shoulder and Eddie George was relearning how to run after big toe surgery. The secondary was also hammered all season with injuries and could not contain anybody's passing attack for most of the year. Still the team gutted out a 7-9 record. With McNair, George and the secondary healthy, te Titans should return to pominence. They won 13 games in 1999 and 2000 and may do it again. The get the luxury of being out of the old AFC Central, replacing opponents like Pittsurgh, Baltimore and Cleveland with Indy, Jacksonville and Houston. The Titans will also add some punch on defense with rookie LB Rocky Calmus (All-American at Oklahoma) and on offense with dual H-backs Robert Holcombe and Greg Comella. The receivers, Frank Wycheck, Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson have all the tools and if McNair is on they may lead the league in catches. The secondary may see some rookies getting playing time, but the Titans may just overpower everyone on offense.

Key Games: Sept. 8, Philadelphia - having to play possibly the best team in the league on opening day will give the Titans a very good idea of where they are; Nov. 3, at Indianapolis - a statement game for both teams in a light division.

2. Indianapolis Colts

Predicted Finish: 9-7

Last Season: 6-10

Insight: A healthy Edgerrin James and a new head coach (Tony Dungy), may not be the ultimate solution for this squad. Certainly, James is a key to the offense - he's possibly the best pure runner in the game - but Dungy is a defensive-minded coach who likes to play games close to the vest as he did in Tampa Bay. There may be some friction from Peyton Manning if the offense isn't wide open all the time, and Peyton may be right, because the Colts' defense is porous and Dungy doesn't do the hitting, the players do. This team had high hopes last season as well, and they crumbled with James' injuries. There isn't enough depth on this squad to go to the playoffs, but with Manning throwing to the likes of Marcus Pollard, Marvin Harrison, Quadry Ishmail and Reggie Wayne, there will be no shortage of high-scoring contests in Indy this year.

Key Games: Oct. 21, at Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, at Washington - both national TV night games (Monday, Sunday) on the road against two solid squads near mid-season. Make or break for the Colts.

3. Jacksonville Jaguars

Predicted Finish: 7-9

Last Season: 6-10

Insight: On offense, the trio of Mark Brunell, Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith is among the league's elite. Unfortunately, world-class OT Tony Boselli and WR Keenan McCardell are gone and the defense is one of the league's worst. Add to that the special teams that made a mess of most opportunities last season and you have a team in dire need of repair. Coach Tom Coughlin's stubbornness won't help matters much.

Key Games: Sept. 15, at Kansas City - if they can win their second game of the season (they open against Indy), they may have a little hope before their bye. After a week off they get the Jets and Philly at home, then Tennessee on the road. A 1-4 or 0-5 start is a real possibility.

4. Houston Texans

Predicted Finish: 3-13

Last Season: Expansion

Insight: Like every expanision team, wins will be tough to come by, but the Texans drafted David Carr out of Fresno State to lead the offense and he'll have Tony Boselli protecting his blind side. On defense, they have linebacker Jamie Sharper and DB Aaron Glenn. That's the good news. The bad news is that they have to play established teams in the NFL over a 16 game season. They will probably lose their first 7 games, though they may surprise on Oct. 13 against Buffalo or on Oct. 27 at Jacksonville. After that the Texans get Cincy, Jacksonville and the Giants in consecutive home games. Three wins would look good.

Key Games: Oct. 13, Buffalo; Oct. 27 at Jacksonville; Nov. 3, Cincinnati; Nov. 17, Jacksonville; Nov. 24, Giants; Dec. 15, Baltimore - 6 games in which they have a chance. If they win 3 of these, good for them.

LINKS PRO FOOTBALL HOME AFC EAST AFC NORTH AFC SOUTH AFC WEST NFC EAST NFC NORTH NFC SOUTH NFC WEST COLLEGE FOOTBALL HOME SPORTS HOME	1. Tennessee Titans Predicted Finish: 12-4 Last Season: 7-9 Insight: Last season was lost to injuries to key players. Steve McNair was hampered all season with a sore shoulder and Eddie George was relearning how to run after big toe surgery. The secondary was also hammered all season with injuries and could not contain anybody's passing attack for most of the year. Still the team gutted out a 7-9 record. With McNair, George and the secondary healthy, te Titans should return to pominence. They won 13 games in 1999 and 2000 and may do it again. The get the luxury of being out of the old AFC Central, replacing opponents like Pittsurgh, Baltimore and Cleveland with Indy, Jacksonville and Houston. The Titans will also add some punch on defense with rookie LB Rocky Calmus (All-American at Oklahoma) and on offense with dual H-backs Robert Holcombe and Greg Comella. The receivers, Frank Wycheck, Derrick Mason and Kevin Dyson have all the tools and if McNair is on they may lead the league in catches. The secondary may see some rookies getting playing time, but the Titans may just overpower everyone on offense. Key Games: Sept. 8, Philadelphia - having to play possibly the best team in the league on opening day will give the Titans a very good idea of where they are; Nov. 3, at Indianapolis - a statement game for both teams in a light division.
	2. Indianapolis Colts Predicted Finish: 9-7 Last Season: 6-10 Insight: A healthy Edgerrin James and a new head coach (Tony Dungy), may not be the ultimate solution for this squad. Certainly, James is a key to the offense - he's possibly the best pure runner in the game - but Dungy is a defensive-minded coach who likes to play games close to the vest as he did in Tampa Bay. There may be some friction from Peyton Manning if the offense isn't wide open all the time, and Peyton may be right, because the Colts' defense is porous and Dungy doesn't do the hitting, the players do. This team had high hopes last season as well, and they crumbled with James' injuries. There isn't enough depth on this squad to go to the playoffs, but with Manning throwing to the likes of Marcus Pollard, Marvin Harrison, Quadry Ishmail and Reggie Wayne, there will be no shortage of high-scoring contests in Indy this year. Key Games: Oct. 21, at Pittsburgh, Oct. 27, at Washington - both national TV night games (Monday, Sunday) on the road against two solid squads near mid-season. Make or break for the Colts.
	3. Jacksonville Jaguars Predicted Finish: 7-9 Last Season: 6-10 Insight: On offense, the trio of Mark Brunell, Fred Taylor and Jimmy Smith is among the league's elite. Unfortunately, world-class OT Tony Boselli and WR Keenan McCardell are gone and the defense is one of the league's worst. Add to that the special teams that made a mess of most opportunities last season and you have a team in dire need of repair. Coach Tom Coughlin's stubbornness won't help matters much. Key Games: Sept. 15, at Kansas City - if they can win their second game of the season (they open against Indy), they may have a little hope before their bye. After a week off they get the Jets and Philly at home, then Tennessee on the road. A 1-4 or 0-5 start is a real possibility.
	4. Houston Texans Predicted Finish: 3-13 Last Season: Expansion Insight: Like every expanision team, wins will be tough to come by, but the Texans drafted David Carr out of Fresno State to lead the offense and he'll have Tony Boselli protecting his blind side. On defense, they have linebacker Jamie Sharper and DB Aaron Glenn. That's the good news. The bad news is that they have to play established teams in the NFL over a 16 game season. They will probably lose their first 7 games, though they may surprise on Oct. 13 against Buffalo or on Oct. 27 at Jacksonville. After that the Texans get Cincy, Jacksonville and the Giants in consecutive home games. Three wins would look good. Key Games: Oct. 13, Buffalo; Oct. 27 at Jacksonville; Nov. 3, Cincinnati; Nov. 17, Jacksonville; Nov. 24, Giants; Dec. 15, Baltimore - 6 games in which they have a chance. If they win 3 of these, good for them.