AFC South Roundup: Stroud’s Texans Surge, Titans Struggle, Colts Navigate Injuries
As we head into the final stretch of the regular season, the AFC South is shaping up to be one of the more intriguing divisions to watch - not because every team is thriving, but because each is navigating its own unique storyline. From C.J.
Stroud’s continued rise in Houston to the Titans’ ongoing struggles and the Colts managing key injuries, there’s a lot unfolding in real time. Let’s break it down.
Colts: Gardner Out, But Not Gone
The Colts are dealing with a significant blow to their secondary, but it’s not a season-ender - at least not yet. Head coach Shane Steichen confirmed that cornerback Sauce Gardner will miss some time, though there are currently no plans to place him on injured reserve.
“He’s going to miss some time. How much, I don’t know,” Steichen said, leaving the door open for a potential return in the near future.
Gardner’s absence will test a Colts defense that’s already been stretched thin at times this season. His presence on the perimeter is a key part of their defensive identity, and without him, Indianapolis will need to lean on depth and scheme to hold things together.
On the special teams front, Steichen was tight-lipped when asked about the team’s kicking situation, deferring any decisions to GM Chris Ballard. Whether that means a change is coming remains to be seen, but it's a storyline worth watching as the Colts stay in the thick of the playoff hunt.
Texans: Stroud Returns, Houston Keeps Rolling
C.J. Stroud came back - and so did the Texans' winning ways.
In his return to the lineup, Stroud threw for 276 yards and helped guide Houston to a divisional win over the Colts, marking their fourth straight victory. The rookie quarterback continues to look like a seasoned vet, and his confidence in the team’s trajectory is growing.
“We’re super dangerous,” Stroud said. “We lost some close games against some really good teams. If we can find a way to win some close games after Thanksgiving, we’ll put ourselves in position to do whatever we want.”
That’s not just confidence - that’s leadership. And Stroud has earned the right to speak that way. The Texans have found ways to win in different styles over the past month, and with Stroud back under center, they look like a team that’s not only ahead of schedule but also capable of making real noise down the stretch.
Titans: Another Week, Another Gut Punch
There’s no sugarcoating it - the Titans are in a tailspin. Their 25-3 loss to the Jaguars in Week 13 dropped them to 1-11, and the game was every bit as lopsided as the score suggests.
Tennessee turned the ball over twice, gave up big plays, and committed 10 penalties. Interim head coach Mike McCoy didn’t mince words.
“Yeah, it’s sloppy,” McCoy said. “You look at the whole thing - you have 10 penalties, two turnovers, some big plays were given up.
We weren’t very good on third down offensively… I think it was 2-of-12 or whatever. That’s never going to be good enough.”
It’s a tough spot for a team trying to build something new, especially with rookie quarterback Cam Ward under center. But Ward isn’t interested in moral victories or silver linings.
“I mean, I am big on results,” Ward said. “Wins and losses are the only things I care about.
Strides? We haven’t made any strides.
We’ve got the same outcome for the last couple of weeks. So, it’s more about winning a football game now, it doesn’t matter how it gets done.”
That’s the kind of mindset you want from your quarterback - especially one trying to lead a rebuild. But until the Titans can clean up the penalties, protect the football, and convert on third down, it’s going to be a long road.
Final Word
The AFC South is a division in transition. The Texans are surging behind a rookie QB who looks like the real deal.
The Colts are staying afloat despite injuries and uncertainty. And the Titans are searching for answers in a season that’s quickly slipping away.
There’s still time for twists and turns, especially with divisional games looming. But one thing’s clear: in a league where momentum is everything, the Texans are gaining it - and the rest of the division is trying to keep up.