Nine weeks of the 2025 NFL season have been completed. Each week, we’ll monitor every team in the AFC South with an eye towards their ability to compete for the divisional crown. Here’s how the four teams stack up after nine weeks of action.
4. Tennessee Titans (1-8)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) takes the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn.
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) takes the field before the game against the Los Angeles Rams at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn – Denny Simmons / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Like fellow AFC South mates, Indy and Jacksonville, Tennessee pulled off a trade before the deadline to stay in competition for a race. But rather than the race for a playoff spot, the Titans trades helps them in their race for the #1 pick in the 2026 draft. They’ve sold off players with value to try and build the team up for the future, as they aren’t playing for anything this season, outside of draft positioning.
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3. Houston Texans (3-5)
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
The concussion for C.J. Stroud cost Houston a game that would have put them back in the race for the wildcard spot and added more meaning to the Jaguars @ Texans game this week as it would have set the winner up to be sitting in the driver seat for the #2 team in the division and moved Houston to the 7-seed in the playoffs, after starting 0-3. Now, Houston will need to beat Jacksonville and Tennessee the following week to try and get within reach before having to face the Buffalo Bills, Colts, and Kansas City Chiefs. It’s a tough task for them to not only win the next two but to salvage the following trio of games against playoff-caliber teams, enough to stay within striking range of a playoff spot.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars (5-3)
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
Like the Colts, Jacksonville pulled off a move at the deadline that should help them stay in the playoff race with the addition of Jakobi Meyers. Jacksonville lost their two previous games before pulling out a one-point overtime game against the 2-6 Las Vegas Raiders. Brian Thomas Jr. has dealt with drops and a lack of production this year. Travis Hunter’s injury forced Jacksonville’s hand at bringing in a reliable receiving threat that will allow Thomas Jr. to be more of a luxury than having to carry the offense in the passing game. It also allows Parker Washington to move back into a more complementary role. It’s a smart add that could keep the Jags in the wildcard hunt.
1. Indianapolis Colts (7-2)
Oct 19, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball in the second half against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Indy is the best team in the AFC South. While they are still tied for the best record in the NFL, they lost some luster in their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. They get the Atlanta Falcons in their next game, followed by their bye. Then it gets tough over their last seven games. The only team with a losing record that they face will be the Houston Texans, which they’ll see two times. The addition of Sauce Gardner at the trade deadline could propel them to contend with the top AFC teams in a year where there doesn’t seem to be any great teams.
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