AFC south.(NFL)

HOUSTON TEXANS

New C Drew Hodgdon has had few difficulties since joining the lineup in Week 6. His snaps to QB David Carr have been nearly flawless despite limited work between the two. The team likes Hodgdon's energy and attitude, and he has good leverage, partly a product of being a wrestler in high school. Hodgdon isn't asked to call protections; that still is handled by LG Steve McKineey, who moved from center to replace Zach Wiegert (ankle).... Marcellus Rivers showed ability when be filled in for No. 2 TE Matt Murphy (shoulder). Rivers' hands aren't as good as those of former TE Billy Miller, but unlike Miller, Rivers is committed to blocking. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: The team installed a new scheme in the offseason to better protect Carr. It emphasizes short drops and mutes and requires Carr to get rid of the ball more quickly. But that doesn't play to Cads strengths or those of his receivers, and the protection remained poor early on. The firing of coordinator Chris Palmer after Week 2 further complicated matters. Cart, however, is slowly adjusting to the shorter drops and is making better decisions in the pocket.--Megan Manfull

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

With his growing comfort level in the defense and excellent coverage skills, third-year OLB cato June (6-0,227) has emerged as a top playmaker. He has five interceptions and returned two for TDs, and he has shown exceptional quickness in his breaks to the ball. That shouldn't come as a surprise, considering he was a safety in college. June has a solid grasp of his responsibilities in zone coverage, and it's paying off.... A main reason for CB Nick Harper's strong play has been his health. With few exceptions this season, he has practiced and carried those repetitions into games. Harper's struggles in the past often were because he missed extended practice time. OFFENSIVE SYSTEM CHECK: Defensive coordinators aren't willing to allow QB Peyton Manning to beat them deep. Opponents are playing zone-heavy schemes, keeping safeties deep to limit downfield shots. Rather than forcing the ball into coverage, coordinator Tom Moore has adopted an attack based more on short passes and RB Edgerrin James. It isn't the quick-strike offense that was dominant in 2004, but it has ...