The AFC South is looking more like a survival contest than a race, and the latest shakeup only sharpened that picture. Indianapolis took another hit in the loss to Jacksonville, dropping to 2-6 and sliding to a new low with a week left before the trade deadline.
At this point, the Colts have already shipped out some of their best players, and the rest of the roster looks like it could be available too. That says plenty about where this season is headed, especially if the team keeps rolling with Daniel Jones at quarterback.
The Jaguars’ blowout win over Indianapolis left little doubt about who sits on top of the division right now. Jacksonville is 5-2 and has separated itself from the pack as the only team in the AFC South that looks like a true contender.
The game could have turned even uglier if the Jaguars hadn’t eased off late. Trevor Lawrence and Liam Coen have clicked, Travis Hunter is settling in well, and even with Brian Thomas Jr. looking like a bust and an offensive line that still feels shaky, this group has the look of a team that could make a deep postseason run.
Houston sits in second at 2-5, and that record tells part of the story. The Texans have been one of the league’s biggest disappointments, but they still carry more belief than most underachieving teams because of the talent on both sides of the ball.
The problem is that talent hasn’t translated into wins. DeMeco Ryans’ defense is wasting a strong season from C.J.
Stroud, and eventually the Texans are going to have to accept that this isn’t shaping up to be a playoff-caliber team.
Indianapolis lands third, and the mess there goes beyond the standings. Some players are still battling, but others, like Josh Downs, have already checked out.
Even more concerning, it feels like the coaching staff has stopped believing in the group too. The rest of the season should at least give the Colts a chance to evaluate players such as CJ Allen, Bryce Boettcher, and Jalen Farmer, but beyond that, there isn’t much to hang onto.
The 2026 Colts don’t have a first-round pick, they don’t have a trade asset that can realistically land one, and they still don’t appear to have a franchise quarterback. The road ahead looks long.
Tennessee rounds out the division at 1-7, though even that spot comes with a twist. As strange as it sounds, the Titans might actually be better than the Colts right now.
They beat Indianapolis, nearly knocked off the Cleveland Browns two weeks ago, and pushed Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals to overtime. Cam Ward and company are moving in the right direction, and the Jeffery Simmons trade gave them elite draft capital to rebuild.
For now, though, the record is what it is: second-worst in the league and worst in the AFC South.
In Other News...
Colts Just Locked In A Key Defender For What Comes Next
Adetomiwa Adebawores rise has given the Colts something they can actually plan around on the defensive front. A fourth-round pick in 2023, he has steadily worked his way into a more important role, and Indianapolis has now made it clear it views him as part of the long-term core rather than just another young lineman trying to find his footing.
The extension also says plenty about where the Colts think they need to go next up front. With the defensive tackle room set for a rebuild, locking in Adebawore gives the team a dependable starting point as it reshapes the interior of the defense, and it puts more pressure on the front office to find the right pieces around him. [Read more 🡒]
Colts Finally Made A Move Fans Can Feel Good About
After spending much of the season looking for stability up front, the Colts have made a move that should sit well with their fan base. Indianapolis has agreed to a contract extension with defensive lineman Adetomiwa Adebawore, rewarding a player who has taken a noticeable step forward this year in both pass-rushing and run defense.
Adebawores growth has given the Colts a more encouraging piece to build around on the defensive line, especially with his improved disruption in the backfield and steadier play against the run. For a team that has spent plenty of time searching for answers, keeping a young lineman trending in the right direction is the kind of decision that can make the rest of the roster feel a little more settled. [Read more 🡒]
Jonathan Taylor Trade Buzz Puts Colts In A Tough Spot
The trade deadline chatter around Jonathan Taylor has put the Colts in an awkward position, with the Giants reportedly showing interest in the running back as they look to address both their offense and defensive front. New York is also exploring other playmakers and linemen, but Taylor remains a name to watch because of the kind of impact he can still bring if a deal ever gets serious.
Indianapolis, though, is not in a position to move him cheaply. The Colts are believed to be asking for a steep return, which makes any potential agreement tricky even for a team actively shopping for help. For now, the buzz says as much about the market as it does about Taylor, and it leaves the Colts balancing roster value against the possibility of a deadline move that may never get close. [Read more 🡒]