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 1.
Colts:
Jonathan Taylor
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) scores the winning touchdown in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons during the NFL Berlin Game at Olympic Stadium. Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
As Jonathan Taylor goes, so does Indianapolis
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Indy has gone 6-3 in their last nine games. Taylor has only had three games during his last nine in which he has failed to reach the endzone. All three of the Colts losses coincide with Taylor’s three games during that stretch without a touchdown. All three of those games were also road games with Taylor rushing for 76 yards at the Rams, 45 at the Steelers, and 58 at the Chiefs.
Laiatu Latu’s breakout continues
Latu continued his leap forward in his second season with a sack and an interception against the Chiefs. He’s now up to six sacks this season with three interceptions. There are only five players in the NFL with more interceptions this year. Latu has put up 15 QB hits in 2025 and is constantly pressuring the quarterback. His ascension should continue through this year and his career.
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Texans:
Oct 26, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver Jayden Higgins (81) catches a pass for a touchdown during the second quarter against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sean Thomas-Imagn Images
Jayden Higgins has started to come into his own
Higgins has been targeted 7+ times in four of his last five games, including three-straight. He’s caught at least four passes for 34+ yards in those four games with a total of three touchdowns during that stretch. Higgins’ four receiving touchdowns this season tie him with Nico Collins for the team lead. He has become a key component in Houston’s offense.
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Defense continues to be dominant
Houston became the first team to sack the reigning MVP, Josh Allen eight times in a game. Their defense had him under pressure all game long. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter each sacked Allen multiple times in the game. It made the third-straight game in which the duo both sacked the QB in the same game. During that stretch, Hunter has totaled seven sacks with Anderson Jr. putting up 4.5 with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery, as Hunter also recorded a forced fumble over the three games.
Jags:
Trevor Lawrence
Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) celebrates his touchdown in the third quarter during a Monday Night NFL football game at EverBank Stadium, Monday, Oct. 6, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Doug EngleFlorida Times-Union]
Sand running out of the glass on Trevor Lawrence
This was supposed to be the year for Lawrence to show tremendous growth with Liam Coen joining the Jags as the new head coach, after the success he had as the offensive coordinator in Tampa Bay with Baker Mayfield. Yet, Lawrence threw three interceptions in the overtime win over the Arizona Cardinals. It’s the fourth straight game in which Lawrence has thrown an interception, after starting the year with an interception in four of his first five games. Lawrence was only sacked a total of three times over his first four games this season. Since then, Lawrence has been sacked 3+ times in five of his last seven games. He’s also fumbled three times in the last two games, losing two of those, after only having two fumbles and losing one over his first eight games this season.
Parker Washington has been Jacksonville’s most valuable receiver
Jacksonville used first-round picks in the last two drafts on wide receivers, including trading up to second overall to select Travis Hunter Jr., a year after adding Brian Thomas Jr. Yet, it’s Washington that leads Jacksonville in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in 2025. It’s not just his contributions at receiver that make him so valuable. Washington has the second-most punt return yards this season and is one of only two players in the NFL with multiple punt returns for touchdowns this year.
Titans:
Oct 26, 2025; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Chimere Dike (17) catches a pass during the second quarter against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Goddin-Imagn Images
Chimere Dike could be All-Pro as a rookie
Name a better return man this year than the fourth-round rookie, Dike. Dike is the other punt returner with Parker Washington, who have multiple punt returns for touchdowns this year, after he took one 90 yards to the house on Sunday against the Seattle Seahawks. He’s third in punt return yards this year. Dike is also the top kickoff returner with 1,206 yards in 2025, which is almost 150 yards more than the next closest kick returner in the NFL. But he’s not just a return man, as seen with his five receptions for 44 yards and a touchdown in the Seahawks game. In his last five games, he’s also had a performance of four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown against the New England Patriots and seven receptions for 93 yards against the Indianapolis Colts.
Cam Ward uses his legs more and records his first two TD game
Ward hadn’t had a game this year in which he put up two total touchdowns. That changed in his most recent matchup. Over the last two weeks, Ward has been more willing to take off running. He led all rushers against the Seahawks with 37 rush yards on just six carries and a touchdown. This came a week after he rushed for a then-season-high 33 yards on three carries against the Texans, which also led the team in rushing. It’s a huge pivot in the way he attacks, as he only had 46 rush yards on 18 carries in total over his first eight games this year.
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