Tennessee should win the AFC South again. Only Indianapolis seems equipped to challenge in a division that includes schizophrenic Jacksonville and Houston, in its second season back in the league.

With quarterback Steve McNair, perhaps the NFL's best combination runner-passer at quarterback - sorry, Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb - the Titans have a shot at the Super Bowl championship.

The key may be the health of defensive end Jevon Kearse. He set a rookie record for sacks in 1999, the Titan's Super Bowl season (when they lost to St. Louis), but hasn't been completely healthy since.

1. TITANS

Coach: Jeff Fisher (80-61, 10th year)

2002 record: 11-5, first in division, lost to Oakland in AFC Championship game.

Key newcomers: Rookie WR Tyrone Calico, rookie RB Chris Brown, rookie CB Andre Woolfork.

Key losses: WR Kevin Dyson (Carolina), DT John Thornton (Cincinnati).

Overview: QB Steve McNair is coming off his two best seasons but needs to avoid his annual long list of maladies. McNair's ability to stay on the field despite being banged up is amazing. RB Eddie George doesn't have much left in the tank, but he can still be a bruiser when he wants to be. DE Jevon Kearse is in the last year of his contract, which could mean a big season if his sprained right ankle is OK. When healthy and motivated, Kearse and DE Kevin Carter are quite a pass-rushing duo. Fisher is the NFL's winningest coach over the last four seasons.

Super stat: George's yards-per-carry average has dropped from 4.1 in 1999 to 3.4 last season.

2. COLTS

Coach: Tony Dungy (10-6, second year)

2002 record: 10-6, second in division, lost to New York Jets in wild-card game.

Key newcomers: WR Brandon Stokley, S Rich Coady, rookie TE Dallas Clark, rookie S Mike Doss.

Key losses: LB Mike Peterson (Jacksonville).

Overview: RB Edgerrin James should be more like his old self now that he's two years removed from a torn ACL. WR Marvin Harrison has averaged 117 receptions the past four seasons, even though he has never had a dependable second receiver to line up with. When it's clicking, the Colts' offense is tough to stop. QB Peyton Manning, James and Harrison are a tremendous trio.

Super stat: Manning is the only passer in history to throw for more than 4,000 yards four consecutive seasons.

3. JAGUARS

Coach: Jack Del Rio (first year)

2002 record: 6-10, third in division.

Key newcomers: DE Hugh Douglas, FB Marc Edwards, LB Mike Peterson, WR J.J. Stokes, WR Donald Hayes, WR/KR Jermaine Lewis, Del Rio.

Key losses: WR Jimmy Smith (suspended for four games for violating league substance abuse policy), RB Stacey Mack (Houston), OT Todd Fordham (Pittsburgh), WR Patrick Johnson (Washington).

Overview: QB Mark Brunell is likely in his final year with the team with rookie Byron Leftwich on board. Douglas should help the pass rush and provide leadership in the locker room. If he can stay healthy, he'll continue to put up big numbers. The defense should be faster. With Smith out, the offense will have to rely on Stokes to pick up some of the load. The line is young, which could make Brunell have to run more than he wants to.

Super stat: Oft-injured RB Fred Taylor played all 16 games last season and ran for 1,314 yards.

4. TEXANS

Coach: Dom Capers (4-12, second year)

2002 record: 4-12, fourth in division.

Key newcomers: OT Zach Wiegert, RB Stacey Mack, rookie WR Andre Johnson.

Key losses: WR/KR Jermaine Lewis (Jacksonville), LB Jeff Posey (Buffalo), OT Ryan Young (Dallas).

Overview: Johnson can make a big impact. Mack scored 20 TDs in four years in Jacksonville. CB Aaron Glenn was the team's MVP last season with five interceptions and a trip to the Pro Bowl. The Texans had the league's 16th-ranked defense last season.

Super stat: QB David Carr was sacked an NFL-record 76 times last season.

- Enquirer news services