Texans Eye AFC South Supremacy After Stunning 2025 Turnaround
The Houston Texans didn’t just bounce back in 2025 - they stormed back. After a rocky 0-3 start, they rattled off nine straight wins to close the regular season at 12-5 - just the second time in franchise history they’ve hit that mark (the last time being 2012).
That kind of turnaround doesn’t happen by accident. It was the product of a defense that played lights-out football and an offense that found its rhythm at the right time.
But even with 12 wins, Houston didn’t get to enjoy the comforts of a home playoff game. That honor went to the Jacksonville Jaguars, who edged them out with a 13-4 record - their first 13-win season since 1999. The Jags secured the AFC South crown and hosted the Bills in the Wild Card round, while the Texans were sent into the cold to face the Steelers in Pittsburgh.
AFC South Landscape: A Tale of Two Halves
The 2025 season was a rollercoaster across the AFC South.
Let’s start with the Indianapolis Colts. They came out of the gate red-hot, winning seven of their first eight and lighting up scoreboards with the league’s most explosive offense early on.
But then came the crash - a seven-game losing streak to end the season and a final record of 8-9. That kind of collapse doesn’t just sting - it leaves a mark heading into the offseason.
And then there were the Tennessee Titans. Simply put, it was a season to forget.
They stumbled to a 3-14 finish, parted ways with head coach Brian Callahan after a 1-5 start, and leaned heavily on rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who took his lumps behind a struggling offense. There were flashes of potential, but they were few and far between.
The Titans now own a top-four pick in the 2026 NFL Draft - a silver lining to an otherwise brutal campaign.
Houston’s Path Forward: Division Title or Bust
Now that the dust has settled, it’s back to the drawing board for all four AFC South teams. But in Houston, the mission is clear: win the division. If they can pull it off, it would mark their third AFC South title in four years and their ninth since 2011 - a testament to how far this franchise has come in a short time.
There’s reason for optimism. According to DraftKings, the Texans enter 2026 as the betting favorites to win the division:
- Houston Texans (+155)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (+180)
- Indianapolis Colts (+350)
- Tennessee Titans (+750)
The odds tilt in Houston’s favor for good reason. They’re bringing back what many consider the league’s top defense, and their offense - which showed real growth late last season - is expected to take another step forward.
Last year, the Texans and Jaguars split their season series, including a wild 36-29 comeback win for Houston that helped solidify their playoff push. Right now, these two franchises are the heavyweights of the division - 1A and 1B - with Houston getting a slight nod from the oddsmakers.
But Nothing’s Won in February
Of course, projections only go so far. Titles aren’t handed out in the offseason. Houston may be the favorite on paper, but the Jaguars are right there with them - and they’ve got a rising coach in Liam Coen who’s already made a big impact.
The Texans have the pieces. They’ve got the momentum. Now comes the hard part: proving it all over again when the games start to count.