Each week of the 2025 NFL season, I’ll take a look at all of the AFC South teams. I’ll give you a couple of takeaways from their latest games. Here’s what stood out from each franchise following Week 8.
Colts:
Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) celebrates after the game against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Jonathan Taylor is the MVP leader
Advertisement
For the fourth time in his last six games, Taylor scored three times. Indianapolis has the best record in the NFL. There have been several QBs that have played exceptionally in 2025; there’s no running back doing what Taylor is doing. He leads the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns. Daniel Jones has played great in his first year with the Colts, but a lot of that has to do with how much defenses have to focus on Taylor. The MVP is mostly a QB award, but at almost the halfway point of the season, Taylor is the leader in the clubhouse.
Team Defense
The Colts are getting production throughout the roster. The entire defensive unit is getting sacks (11 players), TFLs (19 players), and PDs (13 players). They’re one of only five teams to have three players with multiple interceptions. Indy has tied the Jacksonville Jaguars for second-best in turnover margin this year (+8). They’re a complete defense and team.
Advertisement
Texans:
Oct 20, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) throws a pass during the first quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images
C.J. Stroud has a phenomenal showing
Coming off one of the Texans worst games of the year, Stroud had his best showing. The San Francisco 49ers weren’t able to create any pressure with their defensive line and could only pressure Stroud when they brought a blitz. Stroud was able to take his time and pick the defense apart. When the pressure did come on blitzes, Stroud was composed, stepped up in the pocket, and would look down the barrel of oncoming pressure and deliver perfect passes. It was an impressive showing and one that he and the team can build on, especially as he was without his top options at receiver.
Advertisement
Defense is elite
Houston’s defense has played great all season, but the turnovers were lacking over the first few weeks of the year. The turnovers have come on as Houston has joined the Colts among those five teams with three players on their roster with multiple interceptions. The Texans are giving up the fewest points per game, yards per game, and are top-five in takeaways. This defense will keep the team in every game, and with the offense coming on, they can push for a playoff spot this year.
Titans:
Oct 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) makes a catch during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Chimere Dike has really started to come on
Dike started the year as an exceptional return man with fellow rookie and fourth-round pick, Elic Ayomanor stepping up more as the young, receiving option. The last two weeks, Dike has come on as the top receiving option after the Calvin Ridley injury and the departure of Tyler Lockett. Dike has put up 11 receptions on 12 targets for 163 yards and a touchdown in that time. In the first six weeks of his rookie year, Dike had only caught 9 passes on 18 targets for 26 yards. Dike is still a dominant kickoff returner as he leads the NFL with almost 300 more return yards than the next closest return man, and also has the second-longest kickoff return this year at 71 yards.
Defense is not NFL quality
Jeffery Simmons is out with an injury. The secondary previously traded Jarvis Brownlee Jr., and following this game, traded Roger McCreary to the Los Angeles Rams. There are so many holes in the defense that it’s hard to imagine them being able to compete against even mediocre offenses. Against a dominant Colts offense, they allowed Daniel Jones to throw for almost 300 yards with three touchdowns while also giving up over 150 rushing yards and three total touchdowns to Jonathan Taylor. It’ll be a long second half of the season for the Titans.
Jaguars:
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. runs against the Tennessee Titans
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (7) rushes for yards during the second quarter of an NFL football matchup Sunday, Dec. 29, 2024 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars held off the Titans 20-13. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] | Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Brian Thomas Jr. to be traded?
While Jacksonville was on a bye this week, reports came out that their first-round pick from 2024, Brian Thomas Jr., may be moved out of Jacksonville. The report states that the Jags could listen to trade offers. Thomas Jr. has struggled with drops this season and has seemed cautious going across the middle. If they don’t think he’ll be the receiver that flashed as a rookie, it’s best to sell early, rather than allow him to tank his value to the point of a limited return.
Will they trade for defensive help?
In my bold predictions article leading into Week 8, I mentioned that Jacksonville should look to add to their defensive front seven or tight end before the November 4th trade deadline. Reports came out this week that they are looking to add to their defense. Most likely, they could add a player to their defensive line, while on the offensive side, a tight end addition still makes a lot of sense with Brenton Strange out.
Check out all of our NFL articles:https://www.thebiglead.com/category/nfl/