AFC South

Houston Texans

1. This is the year. Gary Kubiak just received a contract extension, but it's playoffs-or-bust for the Texans. The offense should be fine. To take the next step, the defense needs to be more consistent in the secondary. First-round pick Kareem Jackson replaced the team’s best cornerback. Jackson will wear a bulls-eye all season.

2. Rush attack is back. Kubiak isn’t taking any chances with his running game, which held the team back last year. The Texans added second-round pick Ben Tate for tough inside running. He could start before long. Steve Slaton gained 1,659 yards from scrimmage as a rookie, but the team will be careful with him after neck surgery. Unheralded third-year pro Arian Foster enters camp atop the depth chart, but probably won’t stay there.

3. Key cog missing.  The NFL suspended Brian Cushing four games for violating the league’s PED policy. Houston’s ability to survive without their best defender could set the tone for the season. The Texans’ rush defense made great strides last year.

Jacksonville Jaguars

1. Make or break. It’s go time for David Garrard after coach Jack Del Rio and owner Wayne Weaver doubted the starting quarterback publicly during the offseason. The depth chart won’t make Garrard’s task any easier. Untested second year pros Mike Thomas and Jarrett Dillard rank second and third on the depth chart. In the end, we don’t think backup Luke McCown can pass Garrard. He’s still Luke McCown.

2. Fresh front four. Jacksonville revamped their defensive line with surprising No. 10 overall pick Tyson Alualu and pricey free agent acquisition Aaron Kampman. Kampman was the riskier move coming off major knee surgery. The Jaguars hope middle linebacker Kirk Morrison can revive his career after the Raiders traded him.

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3. Time to leave town? This Jaguars team faces unique pressure because they are fighting to keep the franchise in town. Even the team’s website admitted they have reached a crisis level. If the Jaguars continue to lose and see blackouts, it grows more likely that there won’t be a team in Jacksonville before long.

Indianapolis Colts

1. He's so money. The Colts handled their first Super Bowl loss of the Manning era like they handle every offseason – quietly. No team relies more on building from within, although they broke with tradition by paying middle linebacker Gary Brackett big money to stay put. They usually let linebackers go, but retaining the defense’s heart and soul was vital.

2. Help up front. Colts G.M. Bill Polian wasn’t happy with his offensive line after the Super Bowl, and set out to change things. The team cut guard Ryan Lilja and changed philosophies from an athletic, lightweight unit to a more physical group with size. It’s amazing to think that Manning doesn’t have a better blindside protector than Charlie Johnson.

3. Pay up. Contract issues hang over the franchise. Peyton Manning should become the richest player in NFL history, but will it happen before a new collective bargaining agreement gets reached? Reggie Wayne and Robert Mathis also want more cash, but have two years left on their contracts. Don’t expect them to get any extra money.

Tennessee Titans

1. Johnson may run less. Chris Johnson settled his contract dispute. Now what kind of encore can he provide after his 2,000-yard season? The Titans say they won’t overwork CJ2K, so Javon Ringer should get more involved with LenDale White now drinking Cuervo at home alone.

2. Young grows up. Questions remain about Vince Young’s off-field maturity following an altercation at a strip club, but the organization was quietly impressed by Young’s development on the field. The proverbial light has turned on for Young entering his third season in offensive coordinator Mike Heimerdinger’s system. He reportedly only threw two interceptions all offseason.

3. Sagging defense. The Titans face serious questions about the health and talent on defense. The cornerback spot opposite Cortland Finnegan is young and untested. The linebackers are mostly old and injured, not a winning combination. It would greatly help matters if first-round pick Derrick Morgan can make an immediate impact as a pass rusher at defensive end.

Denver Broncos

1. Will Clady be ready? The Broncos traded Brandon Marshall, and then lost an even better player to injury. The question is how long. Left tackle Ryan Clady tore his patellar tendon playing basketball over the offseason. Coach Josh McDaniels has expressed optimism regarding Clady’s return for Week 1, but we have our doubts.

2. Make room for Tebow. Kyle Orton will open the season as Denver’s quarterback. The real training camp competition will take place between Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow, elbowing for position to take Orton’s job should the Broncos fall under .500 very long. Really, Tebow is battling time. He’s going to get the job eventually, but has to show he’s capable of handling an NFL offense as a rookie.

3. An aging defense. McDaniels is barely older than much of his defense. The Broncos signed three free agent three defensive line starters (Justin Bannan, Jamal Williams, and Jarvis) over the age of 30. The entire secondary is also over 30. Denver better hope McD drafted better than he did a season ago or this team could get old together quickly.

San Diego Chargers

1. Talent standoff. Chargers G.M. A.J. Smith fashions himself a cowboy, playing tough guy in negotiations with wide receiver Vincent Jackson and left tackle Marcus McNeill. We understand why Smith didn’t hand them huge contract extensions, but why lower their restricted contract tender and say the team has “moved on” in June? Both players plan to hold out the first 10 weeks of the season. It sounds like McNeill has a better chance than Jackson of caving and returning early.

2. Fresh legs. Rookie Ryan Mathews doesn’t have to replace the MVP seasons of LaDainian Tomlinson. Mathews only has to best the sub-ordinary production Tomlinson put forth last year. Darren Sproles should remain active on passing downs, but look for Mathews to rack up big numbers while keeping the Chargers “on schedule” with four-yard gains.

3. No stopping power. Antonio Cromartie shouldn’t be difficult to replace at cornerback; he didn’t play very well the last two years. The Chargers have yet to find a suitable stand-in, however, for nose tackle Jamal Williams. The talent base on San Diego’s defense has slowly eroded the last five years.

Kansas City Chiefs

1. Run to daylight. The Chiefs' offense revolves around running back Jamaal Charles, even with Thomas Jones added to the backfield mix. New offensive coordinator Charlie Weis knows how to get Charles the ball in space, where the poor man’s Chris Johnson shines.

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2. Comforting Cassel. Weis also knows how to run a short passing attack, which plays to Matt Cassel’s strengths. The former Patriots quarterback often looks flustered in the pocket and struggles with his accuracy on longer passes. The Chiefs remain committed to him, so don’t expect backup Brodie Croyle to see the field.

3. Building a talent base. The Chiefs' defense built an identity in the secondary. No. 5 overall pick Eric Berry will do his best Troy Polamalu impression. Cornerback Brandon Flowers is a rising star who plays physical. It’s good the Chiefs’ back end looks good because the team still hasn’t addressed a glaring lack of a pass rush. New coordinator Romeo Crennel will help, but he’s not a magician. (In case you missed the theme, Chiefs G.M. Scott Pioli built Patriots Midwest.)

Oakland Raiders

1. Addition by subtraction. Jason Campbell gives the Raiders' offense hope. Acquired on draft day from the Redskins, Oakland already treasures Campbell for who he’s not: JaMarcus Russell. This may be the greatest addition by subtraction transaction in NFL history. Campbell is average at best as starting quarterbacks go, but average at best represents a massive upgrade.

2. Man among boys. Rookie middle linebacker Rolondo McClain could be the most important player on the team. The Raiders expect him to run their defense as a starter from day one. A natural born leader, McClain will have to integrate into a defense with many strong personalities. (Oakland also added defensive tackle John Henderson to the mix.)

3. Bench the burners. The Raiders don’t know who will start at running back this year. Michael Bush makes the most sense, but Darren McFadden makes the most money. (Darrius Heyward-Bey kept his starting job as a rookie, which proved once again that life isn’t always fair in Al Davis’ kingdom.) McFadden goes down at contact too easily and doesn’t look instinctive. Heyward-Bey, meanwhile, was the subject of outrageous hype by the Raiders this offseason. We’ll see if he can keep it up when the pads come on.