Week 8 of the 2025 NFL season is upon us. Each week, I’ll look at the AFC South matchups and give you a couple of bold predictions for those games. This week, the Indianapolis Colts host an AFC South matchup with the Tennessee Titans coming to town. The Houston Texans start the first of a three-game homestand as they face off against the San Francisco 49ers. Jacksonville has reached their bye week and should look to make additions.
Indianapolis Colts:
Oct 5, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) celebrates with teammates after making an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
Laiatu Latu records 2 sacks
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The Colts have five defenders with 2+ sacks. Latu is among the group with two sacks this season, but he’s also second on the team in QB hits with nine. Only DeForest Buckner has more with 11. Cam Ward has been sacked 30 times this year. No other QB has been sacked more than 22 times in 2025. Latu has the talent, and this matchup will provide the opportunity for him to double his sacks on the season.
Alec Pierce scores his first touchdown this year
Pierce has had a 36+ yard reception in three of the five games in which he’s played in 2025. Michael Pittman Jr. has five touchdowns in seven games, with Tyler Warren also finding the endzone three times. Pierce has yet to hit paydir,t but that will change this week in an advantageous matchup. While Ashton Dulin should return this week, there’s a chance that Josh Downs misses again. Coming off a game in which Pierce recorded a career-high 10 targets, expect Pierce to stay heavily involved.
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Tennessee Titans:
Oct 12, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Van Jefferson (11) warms up before the game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Van Jefferson has the first 100-yard game of his career
Calvin Ridley is injured, and Tyler Lockett sought and received his release. The Titans are likely to be down and throwing most of the game. Cam Ward has thrown 33+ times in five of his last six games and is coming off back-to-back weeks with his career-high in completion percentage. Over the last two games, Ward has completed 8 of 10 passes when targeting Jefferson for 116 yards. This week, Jefferson will be the lone veteran among the top trio of receivers with rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike, and should be the go-to option.
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Chig Okonkwo catches his first TD of 2025
Okonkwo was only targeted twice last week and didn’t record a reception. Rookie tight end Gunnar Helm has caught four of five targets in two of his last three games. Both tight ends should be involved in this AFC South showdown, but with the Titans being light at receiver in this game, Okonkwo’s ability as a dynamic receiving threat should be utilized more, and he’ll get to the endzone on one of his receptions.
Houston Texans:
Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel (14) runs after a catch during the second quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Jaylin Noel has his first 100-yard game
In the first five games of his career, the rookie Noel was only targeted seven times and put up five receptions for 22 yards. Last week, he had four catches on seven targets for 77 yards. His long reception of 29 yards last week was more than his total receiving yards entering the game. Nico Collins and Christian Kirk appear as if they may miss this game. Xavier Hutchinson hasn’t surpassed 20 receiving yards in a game since his first two games of the season. While fellow rookie Jayden Higgins should also be heavily involved, expect Noel to shine.
Defense forces Mac Jones has multiple turnovers
Jones started strong in his time in San Francisco this year with 6 TDs / 1 INT in his first three games. He hasn’t thrown a touchdown in his last two games while being picked off three times. The Texans defense is 4th in the NFL in interception rate and 5th in passing yards and rushing yards per play given up. Christian McCaffrey is coming off his best rushing game of the season, but San Fran still ranks dead last in rushing yards per play this season. Jones will have to throw a lot in this gam,e and Houston’s defense will be able to pick him off and/or force fumbles on the former first-round pick.
Jacksonville Jaguars:
Oct 19, 2025; London, United Kingdom; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) passes the ball against the Los Angeles Rams during the first half of an NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Jacksonville trades for a tight end
Jacksonville is on a bye this week, so I’ll focus on some moves they may make before the trade deadline on November 4th. The Jags have to do something to help their offense. They’ve been inept since losing tight end Brenton Strange to injury. Trevor Lawrence is tight end dependent, and getting him a legit receiving threat before the deadline would benefit the QB and the entire operation on offense.
Jacksonville adds a defender to their front seven
The Jaguars are dead last in sacks per pass attempt as a defense. Their defense has been the engine of their success this season. Since Devin Lloyd’s injury, they haven’t been the same team. They also haven’t been able to get to the QB this year. They’ll add a player on the defense that can either step up for Lloyd while he’s out or add to their pass rush before the deadline passes.
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