AFC South Round-Up: Jaguars Have Key Opportunity in Week 3

The AFC South appears wide open after the first two weeks. The Jaguars have an opportunity to boost their chances to claim the division against the Texans.

A pass intended for Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) sails long against Houston Texans cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. (24) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Texans held off the Jaguars 23-20. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The AFC South was largely heralded as one of the weakest divisions in the NFL for the 2025 season. That hasn't exactly proven to be true. So far, the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Indianapolis Colts have gone 3-5 in their non-divisional games this year.

However, these teams have shown some spunk, even in the losses. Week 3 features two AFC South showdowns, with the Jaguars hosting the Texans while the Colts visit the Titans. Here's what each team has shown so far this season.

AFC South has some moxie in 2025

Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) looks to pass downfield Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, during a game against the Denver Broncos at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. | Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

1. Indianapolis Colts (2-0)

Last game: 29-28 win over Denver Broncos

Next game: @ Tennessee Titans

The Indianapolis Colts might be the most pleasantly surprising team in the NFL in this 2025 season. That's bad news for the Jacksonville Jaguars, their fans, and the rest of the AFC South. They had a strong overall roster last year, winning eight games, and have replaced Anthony Richardson and Joe Flacco with Daniel Jones at quarterback.

Jones has put together two career games under Head Coach Shane Steichen and Offensive Coordinator Jim Bob Cooter, racking up 616 total yards and five touchdowns in his first two weeks. There's still a chance that he'll turn back into a pumpkin anytime now, but he's earned the benefit of the doubt in this offense until he proves otherwise.

Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) looks to make a throw over the Cincinnati Bengals and Jacksonville Jaguars at Paycor Stadium on Sunday, September 14, 2025. | Cara Owsley/ The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

2. Jacksonville Jaguars (1-1)

Last game: 31-27 loss to Cincinnati Bengals

Next game: vs. Houston Texans

The Jacksonville Jaguars have shown plenty of promise so far this year, even in their loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. They may have failed to get the win against backup quarterback Jake Browning, but their defense picked him off three times, while the offense gained 400 total yards, averaged 5.1 per carry, and Trevor Lawrence threw three touchdowns.

Their true potential lies more in what they haven't done, though. Brian Thomas Jr. has yet to establish a rhythm with T-Law in this offense. Lawrence himself hasn't hit his ceiling yet, plagued by turnovers in both games so far. Head Coach Liam Coen is still learning the intricacies of leading an NFL team.

Sep 7, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Rams linebacker Byron Young (0) sacks Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during the second quarter at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images | Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images

3. Houston Texans (0-2)

Last game: 20-19 loss to Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Next game: @ Jacksonville Jaguars

The Houston Texans have basically been the team they were advertised as this offseason. The defense has been elite, while the offense has struggled heavily due to its poor play in the trenches. Quarterback C.J. Stroud has been on the run constantly, first from Jared Verse and the Los Angeles Rams and then against Vita Vea and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

He'll have to be on his toes staring down Travon Walker, Josh Hines-Allen, and Arik Armstead. The Jaguars' defense has the personnel necessary to limit this Texans attack, led by their pass rush. Trevor Lawrence and Company just have to do enough against Houston's D to get the job done.

The Texans are 0-2, but they've gone wire-to-wire versus two straight potential contenders this season. The Jags can't hope to skate by on another mixed performance.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) exits the field after the Titans 33-19 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025. | Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

4. Tennessee Titans (0-2)

Last game: 33-19 loss to Los Angeles Rams

Next game: vs. Indianapolis Colts

The Tennessee Titans were expected to be one of the worst teams in the league this season. Their roster is still full of holes, and it's the primary reason the AFC South was expected to be cannon fodder for the rest of the NFL.

While the rest of the division has shown varying signs of life, the Titans have been as bad as advertised. Quarterback Cam Ward is good for one crazy highlight a game, but Tennessee will likely struggle to win five games this year, especially with the Colts and Jaguars seemingly improved from 2024.

Follow us on X (Twitter) @JaguarsOnSI and @_John_Shipley to keep up with our AFC South updates throughout the 2025 season.

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