AFC

Sporting News, The, Jan 12, 2004 by Mike Preston, Allen Wilson, Chick Ludwig, Steve King, Patrick Saunders, Carlton Thompson, Mike Chappell, Bart Hubbuch, Adam Teicher, Jason Cole, Michael Felger, Rich Cimini, Steve Corkran, Gerry Dulac, Jim Trotter, Jeff Legwold

OFFSEASON GAME PLAN: The Broncos' top priority must be to re-sign MLB Al Wilson. He is the team's best tackler and its emotional leader. WLB Ian Gold is coming back from a knee injury, and with the future of OLB John Mobley (neck injury) in question, it's vital the Broncos get Wilson back. The team also needs to add an impact defensive tackle and a backup quarterback. Don't be surprised if the club goes after a cornerback in the draft despite its bad draft history at the position.--Patrick Saunders

HOUSTON TEXANS

KEY PIECES: The team has a tenuous defensive line situation. Free-agent NT Seth Payne had complications after ACL surgery and will not be at full strength in camp. DE Gary Walker, who played in only four games because of injury, will be allowed to become a free agent if the Texans can't renegotiate his contract. The absences of Payne and Walker made the line the team's weakest unit, so it's important for Houston to bring back at least one of the two veteran leaders next season.... Coach Dom Capers likely will decide the team didn't use WR Corey Bradford enough. Playing in a platoon with WR Jabar Gaffney, Bradford averaged 19.2 yards per catch but had only 24 catches.

WATNS AND NEEDS: The team must decide if RT Greg Randall is a stop-gap solution until rookie Seth Wand is ready or if Randall is the long-term answer. The Texans would be wise to keep Randall. As they learned during an injury-riddled inaugural season, a team never can have enough healthy offensive linemen.... The Texans covet University of Miami FS Sean Taylor, who is the kind of playmaker the team needs. FS Marlon McCree is solid but hasn't established himself as an impact player.--Carlton Thompson

INDIANOPOLIS COLTS

SIMPLE FORMULA: The No. 1 priority against the Chiefs should be to keep QB Peyton Manning upright and active. With time to make his reads, he gets the ball to the proper receiver. He was barely touched by the Broncos on Sunday, and he completed 22 of 26 passes.... The ground game will be a key. Kansas City has been susceptible to the run, ranking 30th in yards per game (146.5). RB Edgerrin James has rushed for at least 88 yards in six of the last eight games. Manning, with his play-action ability, is most dangerous when the running game is effective.

NEXT ASSIGNMENT: After holding Clinton Portis to 68 yards in 17 carries, the run defense has to muster a suitable encore for RB Priest Holmes. He has the type of cutback ability and speed that has given the team trouble this season.... Arrowhead Stadium is one of the toughest places to play in the league, but the Colts have won in their last four trips there. The team's success on the road--it was 7-1 this season--can be traced to the veterans on offense. Manning's experience and expertise allow him to run coordinator Tom Moore's offense even in a hostile environment.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

BIG DISAPPOINTMENT: The team is mulling its options at defensive end after Hugh Douglas proved so disappointing in his first season with the Jaguars. Douglas, a perennial Pro Bowl pick with the Eagles, had just 3 1/2 sacks. He also had a poor attitude. Although the team gave him a $6 million signing bonus last winter, releasing him after June 1 wouldn't do serious damage to the salary cap.... The team's No. 9 overall pick in the draft probably will be too low to secure the top receiver it covets. A more likely choice might be University of Miami TE Kellen Winslow, who would give QB Byron Leftwich a go-to target. Picking Winslow likely would end TE Kyle Brady's stint with Jacksonville because the team already has rookie TE George Wrighster.