Heading into the 2025 season, the AFC South was viewed as one of the NFL’s worst divisions. Each team had its own flaws: the Indianapolis Colts’ rough situation at quarterback, the Tennessee Titans’ lack of talent, the Houston Texans’ loss of key players, and the Jacksonville Jaguars’ new head coach and questionable quarterback play. However, even though some of these concerns are still headlining these squads, the AFC South has produced competitive football and impressive wins. On top of that, the AFC South had some of the biggest trade deadline moves throughout the NFL.
But how has each team performed in 2025? Much like in another Five Out Podcast article, NFC North Grades: Post-Deadline Midseason Report, pre-season expectations, recent performance, and added talent throughout the season will impact each team’s grade.
Let’s get started.
(Sources are ESPN and Pro Football Reference)
Indianapolis Colts
2025 Stats
- Record: 8-2 (2-0 vs AFC South)
- AFC South Standing: 1st Place
- Total Offense: 251.6 Passing YDs/G (4th), 145.3 Rushing YDs/G (3rd), 32.1 PPG (1st)
- Total Defense: 235.3 Passing YDs/G (25th), 92.3 Rushing YDs/G (7th), 20.6 PPG (9th)
The Indianapolis Colts have been one of the best sports stories of the year (read FiveOut’s Indianapolis Colts article). With their quarterback controversy and talent concerns, the Indianapolis Colts were expected to be just an average team. However, they have become one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL and have the potential NFL MVP in Jonathan Taylor, who is having a historic season. Daniel Jones has also resurrected his career and could earn himself a big-time contract in the near future.
Defensively, Indianapolis has been an above-average unit. At the trade deadline, they made, potentially, the biggest trade in their franchise’s history, trading for All-Pro cornerback Sauce Gardner from the New York Jets. Even though it was a steep price, it was a statement from the Indianapolis Colts, showing they are buying into their offense and preparing for a potential Super Bowl run.
No other team in the NFL has as high a grade as the Indianapolis Colts. Daniel Jones and Jonathan Taylor are soaring, as well as the rest of the offense. The defense just improved a weakness and could look to improve from where they have been. It is still a long road, but Indianapolis is legit.
Grade: A+
Jacksonville Jaguars
2025 Stats
- Record: 5-4 (1-1 vs AFC South)
- AFC South Standing: 2nd Place
- Total Offense: 204.6 Passing YDs/G (19th), 120.3 Rushing YDs/G (14th), 22.8 PPG(18th)
- Total Defense: 252.9 Passing YDs/G (28th), 91.7 Rushing YDs/G (5th), 24.4 PPG (20th)
Jacksonville Jaguars fans should have expected an odd season as soon as new head coach Liam Cohen gave his best “Duval” impression.
Jacksonville came into the season as a competitor to the Houston Texans for the AFC South crown. With a new offensive mind in the building in Cohen, many expected Jacksonville to take off. Offensively, Jacksonville has underperformed. Trevor Lawrence has regressed from his early days in the NFL, Brian Thomas is suffering from a sophomore slump, and Travis Hunter has battled with injury. This has turned into one of the most inconsistent offenses in football, and things are not looking good after a solid start to the season.
Defensively, this has been a surprising turnaround for Jacksonville. Even after a rough week against Davis Mills and Houston, Jacksonville’s defense has played significantly better than in 2024. Devin Lloyd has turned into a star, and he is leading this defense alongside Josh Hines-Allen, and they are the reason this squad is at five wins. They are coming off an embarrassing collapse against the Davis Mills led Houston Texans.
If I could grade both of these units separately, I would. The offense has yet to click, and the defense keeps Jacksonville competitive. However, the end of the season could be rough, especially having to play Indianapolis twice.
Grade: C
Houston Texans
2025 Stats
- Record: 4-5 (2-1 vs AFC South)
- AFC South Standing: 3rd Place
- Total Offense: 220.0 Passing Yds/G (15th), 111.2 Rushing YDs/G (22nd), 22.7 PPG (19th)
- Total Defense: 171.0 Passing YDs/G (4th), 90.3 Rushing YDs/G (2nd), 16.7 PPG (1st)
In just two seasons, DeMeco Ryans has transformed the Houston Texans from a laughingstock into a respectable NFL team. His astute defensive mind has made Houston one of the most feared defenses in the league. The offense has yet to take the same strides and has struggled with playing inconsistently. After winning the 2023 AFC ROTY, quarterback CJ Stroud has regressed, and the offensive line is one of the worst in the NFL. But they are coming off an exciting 36-29 comeback against AFC South rival Jacksonville Jaguars on the back of Davis Mills.
Houston has had one of, if not the best, defenses in football. Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter are leading an incredible front seven, and Devin Singletary has continued to be one of the best at the cornerback position. Offensively, Stroud has struggled this season and is out due to injury, which means backup Davis Mills is the starting quarterback. Joe Mixon has yet to play, and the run game has been below average.
At 4-5, he has been able to play close every week this season. In all five losses, they have lost by one score and could easily be above .500. With the way Stroud and the offense are playing, this team should be worse, but their defense has kept them around. Houston still has to play the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, and AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts (twice). Even with a tough schedule, they have an elite defense that will keep them in games down the stretch.
Grade: B-
Tennessee Titans
2025 Stats
- Record: 1-8 (0-3 vs AFC South)
- AFC South Standing: 4th Place
- Total Offense: 162.8 Passing YDs/G (31st), 81.2 Rushing YDs/G (31st), 14.4 PPG (32nd)
- Total Defense: 215.3 Passing YDs/G (17th), 141.3 Rushing Yds/G (27th), 28.6 PPG (30th)
With low expectations heading into the season, many fans would have expected the Tennessee Titans to be well out of the AFC South picture. However, it has somehow been worse, as Tennessee is currently the worst team in football and is in line for the No. 1 overall pick for consecutive seasons. In his second year after being hired, Tennessee fired head coach Brian Callahan just six games into the regular season. They have been a dumpster fire all season long.
Tennessee has struggled moving the football through the air and on the ground. With a lack of receiving talent, Ward has struggled, especially with an offensive line that has disappointed. 2024 acquired players Calvin Ridley and Tony Pollard have struggled in their new offense and could be finding new homes this offseason. Defensively, Jonathan Simmons has been incredible; however, the rest of the defense has been atrocious, ranking below average in almost every statistical category. Even with a star like Simmons, he could be dealt as Tennessee looks to acquire more draft capital.
Tennessee has struggled, but not to the point people expected. Cam Ward has shown promise at times and should be the future for Tennessee. With another potential top pick in the upcoming draft, Tennessee could have a strong foundation moving forward, but for now, they are the worst team in the NFL.
Grade: F
