AFC south

HOUSTON TEXANS

Rookie SS Glenn Earl (6-2, 218) is big and physical, has a nose for the ball and is a difference-maker in the running game. In the past, he has been replaced on passing downs by Marion McCree, who is more savvy in pass coverage, but the team believes Earl is its strong safety of the future and likely will give him more opportunities in coverage the rest of the season.... The team drafted rookie Jason Babin to become a pass-rushing outside linebacker, but he hasn't produced many sacks. The club hasn't given up on Babin but might be in the market for a pass rusher this offseason.... FS Marcus Coleman (shoulder) is out for the year. Veteran Jason Simmons, his replacement, can play every backfield position and knows the defense as well as anyone. PROBLEM SPOT: The Texans can stretch the field with speedy WRs Andre Johnson and Corey Bradford, but Houston tends to stop doing that when they play cover 2 teams. The Texans must stop allowing defenses to dictate how they play.--Carlton Thompson

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

The play-action game is alive and well and a major reason the offense has been nearly unstoppable in the red zone. The team has converted a league-best 71.2 percent (37-of-52) of its chances so far this season. RB Edgerrin James' presence is a key. He frequently forces defenses to bring a safety into the box. Also, QB Peyton Manning's nifty work with James often causes linebackers to hesitate, and any hesitation leaves openings for the passing game.... G Jake Scott appears to be another in a long line of versatile, invaluable players on the offensive line. He was primarily a right tackle at Idaho but has made the transition to both guard positions. He's athletic and intelligent and a sound technician. PROBLEM SPOT: The team wants to upgrade its kickoffs. The average starting spot for the opposition after kickoffs is the 31.That is the second-worst starting position for a coverage unit. Last Sunday, Martin Gramatica became the fifth player this season to handle kickoffs. But the problem goes beyond the kicker. Coverage has been spotty.--Mike Chappell

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Despite getting five sacks against the Bears, the team still lacks a consistent pass rush from its front four. Only one of the sacks was from a regular defensive lineman because the club gambled that it could blitz Bears QB Chad Hutchinson. The plan worked, but it would be risky in upcoming games against experienced QBs Brett Favre and Kerry Collins.... Jason Gildon appears to have found a home in Jacksonville. Gildon has lost a step at age 32, which explains his move from linebacker to end, but he still has plenty of energy and enough veteran savvy to get to the quarterback. He has a sack in each of the team's past three games. PROBLEM SPOT: Scoring touchdowns in the red zone has been a critical problem, and the team can only hope a 2-for-4 showing against the Bears marks the start of a turnaround. The team entered the game ranked last in the league in red zone touchdown efficiency (40 percent), largely because coordinator Bill Musgrave hasn't called plays for the team's top playmakers inside the 20.--Bart Hubbuch

TENNESSEE TITANS

Because of an injured right ankle, RT Fred Miller no longer lines up in a three-point stance. He saves a step and eases the pain in his ankle by using a two-point stance. But with the new stance, he loses leverage when he makes contact with opponents. The injury also causes his footwork to be off, and he can't change direction as easily. He's expected to have surgery on the ankle after the season but should be back for minicamps.... The coaches say rookie DT Randy Starks has the best run-stopping technique of any Titans player since Josh Evans in 2001. Starks (6-3,307) plays low and is instinctive. He also asks good questions. PROBLEM SPOT: The team has struggled against the pass, mostly because of injuries. Since the midpoint of the season, the secondary has lost S Tank Williams (knee), CB Andre Woolfolk (wrist) and CB Samari Rolle (knee). Rookie CBs Rich Gardner and Michael Waddell have been forced to step up. The team also has adjusted its philosophy against the pass. Instead of mixing zone coverages with man-to-man, the team is playing predominantly zone. Quarterbacks have been able to find the open spots.--Jim Wyatt

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