Tania Ganguli, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Colts, Texans dominate All-AFC South team

Fresh off a Pro Bowl in which he was named the defensive most valuable player, Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt went Hollywood, with an appearance on the "Jimmy Kimmel Show."

Watt revisited stories familiar from this season -- Googling what rich people buy, buying his mom a car upon signing his new contract, and that time he did a five-foot box jump from a standing start. Watt simulated that jump live on the show, with Kimmel playfully quivering underneath the table upon which Watt was to jump. He did it safely, with no injury -- to Kimmel or himself.

The offseason is a lighter time for Watt, but in-season he focuses singularly on his game. That focus meant a historic season in which Watt counted 20.5 sacks, 10 batted passes, three touchdown catches, two defensive touchdowns among his accomplishments.

Selecting Watt to this team was probably the easiest decision we had to make as we selected our All-AFC South team this season. Tennessee Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky, Jacksonville Jaguars reporter Mike DiRocco and Indianapolis Colts reporter Mike Wells joined me in selecting a divisional All-Star team. The division wasn't strong -- perhaps only stronger than the NFC South, which had no teams with winning records. But at most positions we had at least one, maybe a few players who stood out.

Watt and Colts quarterback Andrew Luck aside, the division was particularly strong at receiver. There was little debate that Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton and Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins deserved the nods there. We pondered whether to include three receivers and one tight end (which would have gotten Texans receiver Andre Johnson onto the team) or two receivers and two tight ends, and went with the latter.

One point of contention came with the offensive line, especially at left tackle. Texans left tackle Duane Brown and Colts left tackle Anthony Castonzo were the subject of significant debate. Initially we had a tie between the two. What some thought gave Castonzo the nod was the Colts' success in keeping Luck clean and also the fact Castonzo had played his best season.

I fought for Brown. While I do believe Brown has had better seasons, and I also believe Castonzo has steadily improved, in 2014, Brown was the better player. A year from now, this could change, but in 2014 I maintain Brown was the AFC South's best left tackle.

We had fewer arguments defensively. Ultimately the division wound up with 10 Colts, nine Texans, three Titans and one Jaguar. Given the teams' individual records, I'd say that makes sense.

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