HOUSTON TEXANS

Coach: Gary Kubiak (third year, 14-18).
Key additions: RB Chris Brown, C Chris Myers, G Torrin Tucker, G Mark Fenton, LB Rosevelt Colvin, LB Chaun Thompson, CB Jacques Reeves, S Nick Ferguson.
Key losses: RB Ron Dayne, TE Jeb Putzier, G Steve McKinney, LB Charlie Anderson, DB Michael Boulware, DB Von Hutchins.
Draft picks who should help: T Duane Brown (26th overall), Virginia Tech; DB Antwaun Molden (79), Eastern Kentucky; RB Steve Slaton (89), West Virginia.
Of note: From 2002 to '05, the Texans allowed an average of 54 sacks a season. Last season, Matt Schaub and Sage Rosenfels were sacked a combined 22 times.
Outlook: The Texans finished 2007 with the best record in their history, and set franchise records for total yards (5,337) and passing yards (3,751). The defense also excelled behind Mario Williams (14 sacks). Unfortunately, they play in arguably the league's toughest division, so making the playoffs will be difficult.
Last playoff appearance: Never made.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Coach: Tony Dungy (seventh year, 73-23).
Key additions: QB Quinn Gray, RB Dominic Rhodes.
Key losses: G Jake Scott, DT Anthony McFarland, LB Rocky Boiman.
Draft picks who should help: G Mike Pollak (59th overall), Arizona State; LB Philip Wheeler (93), Georgia Tech; TE Jacob Temme (127), Kentucky; TE Tom Santi (196), Virginia; C Steve Justice (201), Wake Forest; RB Mike Hart (202), Michigan; WR Pierre Garcon (205), Mount Union.
Of note: Peyton Manning has gone 3-7 when playing against Tom Brady, even though he has passed for more yards (2,861-2,275).
Outlook: The Colts insist Manning will be ready for the season opener after he had surgery to remove an infected bursa sac from his right knee in July. There is no margin for error in the AFC, and without a healthy Manning, who has never missed a game in his career, the Colts are going nowhere.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Coach: Jack Del Rio (sixth year, 45-35).
Key additions: QB Cleo Lemon, WR Jerry Porter, WR Troy Williamson, CB Drayton Florence.
Key losses: QB Quinn Gray, G Chris Naeole, OT Stockar McDougal, WR Ernest Wilford, DE Bobby McCray, DB Terry Cousin, DB Sammy Knight, DB Aaron Glenn.
Draft picks who should help: DE Derrick Harvey (eighth overall), Florida; DE Quentin Groves (52), Auburn; DB Trae Williams (159), South Florida; RB Chauncey Washington (213), Southern Cal.
Of note: David Garrard was third in the NFL last season with a 102.2 passer rating, and he led the NFL with a 128.8 passer rating in third-down situations.
Outlook: The AFC is so top-heavy with standout teams, one tends to overlook the Jaguars. The Jaguars, though, have struggled against the Colts and Patriots, going a combined 1-8 against them in the past three years. That jinx has to end to fulfill any Super Bowl aspirations.
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

TENNESSEE TITANS

Coach: Jeff Fisher (15th year, 115-99).
Key additions: WR Justin McCareins, TE Alge Crumpler, TE Dwayne Blakely, G Jake Scott, DE Jevon Kearse, LB Josh Stamer.
Key losses: RB Chris Brown, WR Eric Moulds, TE Ben Hartsock, G Jacob Bell, OT Benji Olson, DE Travis LaBoy, DE Antwan Odom.
Draft picks who should help: RB Chris Johnson (24th overall), East Carolina; DT Jason Jones (54), Eastern Michigan; TE Craig Stevens (85), Cal.
Of note: The combined winning percentage of the teams on the Titans' home schedule is .601, and of their eight home opponents, only the Jets (4-12) had a losing record last season.
Outlook: The Titans had the league's 21st-ranked offense in 2007, mostly behind an ineffective passing game (their running game was fifth-best). But they gave Vince Young more targets to work with by signing Crumpler and McCareins. The defense is solid, but can Kearse make up for the losses of LaBoy and Odom?
Last playoff appearance: 2007.

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