AFC South Roundup: Colts Add a Clutch Kicker, Jaguars See Promise in Rookie WR, and Texans Keep Climbing
Let’s take a lap around the AFC South, where momentum is shifting, rookies are flashing, and playoff hopes are still very much alive. From the Colts’ newest addition at kicker, to a young receiver finding his footing in Jacksonville, to a Texans squad that’s gone from 0-3 to serious contenders - there’s no shortage of storylines heating up in December.
Colts: Blake Grupe Embracing the Moment in Indy
Blake Grupe is the new man in Indianapolis, and he’s not just here to kick - he’s here to matter.
The former Saints kicker is stepping into a Colts team still fighting for postseason relevance, and he knows exactly what’s at stake. When asked about the opportunity, Grupe didn’t hold back on what it means to him.
“To now be a part of it and feel like I’m playing meaningful football, and that we’re all working towards something here together,” Grupe said.
That word - meaningful - says a lot. Kickers don’t always get the spotlight, but in tight December games where every point counts, they’re often the difference between playing in January or packing up early. For Grupe, this is a chance to contribute in a big way, and he’s embracing that challenge head-on.
Jaguars: Brian Thomas Jr. Returns, and Trevor Lawrence Takes Notice
Brian Thomas Jr. didn’t light up the stat sheet in his return from injury - two catches for 28 yards - but don’t let the box score fool you. His impact went beyond the numbers, and his quarterback certainly noticed.
“I think just for our team, our offense, opening some things up, and for him just to be back out there with us was great,” Trevor Lawrence said. “When he did get his opportunities, he made the most of them.”
Lawrence made it clear that Thomas’ presence changed the geometry of the field. Even with limited touches, the rookie helped stretch the defense and opened lanes for others. And it wasn’t just about route running or catching passes - Thomas showed he’s willing to do the dirty work, too.
“He blocked really well - run game, pass game - had the huge block for Jakobi down the field,” Lawrence added. “That just says a lot about our team, our offense, guys fighting for each other, and just the unselfishness is really cool.”
That kind of buy-in from a young player, especially one coming off injury, is exactly what you want to see in December. The Jaguars know they’ll need more from Thomas down the stretch, and if Week 13 was any indication, he’s ready to deliver.
Texans: From 0-3 to 7-5 - Houston’s Grit is Showing
The Texans’ turnaround has been one of the more compelling stories in the AFC. After starting the season 0-3, Houston has clawed its way back into the thick of the playoff race, now sitting at 7-5 after a gritty Week 13 win over the Colts.
Defensive end Will Anderson Jr. summed up the team’s mindset perfectly.
“We get on the field, it’s time to close out the game,” Anderson said. “They make a big play.
How are we going to respond? I think we really pride ourselves on that.”
That response mentality has become a trademark of this Texans team - a squad that doesn’t flinch, even when punched in the mouth. Head coach DeMeco Ryans pointed to that exact trait as the driving force behind their resurgence.
“We have that true resolve,” Ryans said. “No one play is going to get us in a tank and nobody’s going down. Everybody understands it’s a 60-minute battle each and every time we step out there.”
That full-game focus is paying off. Just ask the Bills, who were sacked eight times by Houston’s defense in Week 12. Veteran edge rusher Danielle Hunter highlighted what’s changed for this group: discipline.
“At the beginning of the season, there was one play where one guy would be out of position,” Hunter said. “Football is a game of inches.
It’s a game of whoever makes the least amount of mistakes. That’s the team that comes out on top.”
And right now, the Texans are playing like a team that’s cleaned up the mistakes and found its identity - fast, physical, and fearless.
Final Word
As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, the AFC South remains one of the league’s most intriguing divisions. The Colts are finding pieces that matter in pressure moments.
The Jaguars are watching a rookie grow into a weapon. And the Texans?
They’re proving that a bad start doesn’t have to define your season - not when you’ve got grit, discipline, and belief.
This division isn’t settled yet. And that’s exactly how we like it in December.