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AFC South Week Five Update: Colts Tied for First Place

We take a weekly look at the AFC South, and in week five a Colts win propelled them into a tie for first place in the division.

Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The Colts won this weekend, but how did the rest of the division do?  Let's take a look at how each of the four teams in the division fared:

Houston Texans (3-2)

Place: T-1st

Last Week:  Lost 17-20 to the Dallas Cowboys (OT)

This Week: Host the Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

For the Houston Texans last week, it was the Arian Foster show.  Against a good Cowboys team, the Texans hung with them all game behind 157 yards rushing and 2 touchdowns from Foster (averaging 6.8 yards per carry).  One of those touchdowns came with just 41 seconds left in the game to tie it up at 17.  The Cowboys would come back to win it in overtime, however.  For Houston, though, it was a good performance against a team that has been surprisingly good this year.  It may not have been a win, but the Texans took the Cowboys to overtime.  They're tied for first place in the AFC South this week with a big matchup with the Colts this Thursday.

Tennessee Titans (1-4)

Place: 3rd

Last Week: Lost 28-29 to the Cleveland Browns

This Week: Host the Jacksonville Jaguars

Near the end of the second quarter, the Titans led the Browns 28-3.  By the time the game was over, the Browns had won 29-28, the largest road comeback in NFL history.  Jake Locker was playing well in his return… but was then injured again.  Charlie Whitehurst came in and threw two touchdowns.  The Titans racked up 410 yards of offense, 28 points, and didn't turn the ball over, and they lost.  They had a massive defensive collapse and allowed Brian Hoyer to lead Cleveland back, throwing a game-winning touchdown pass with 1:09 left (which was then followed up with one of the worst one minute drives you'll see).  Because the Titans are in the same division as the Jaguars, however, a 1-4 record is still good for third place in the division this week.

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-5)

Place: 4th

Last Week: Lost 9-17 to the Pittsburgh Steelers

This Week: at the Tennessee Titans

Another week, another loss for the Jaguars, as they fell to the Steelers a week ago.  In reality, however, the game was closer than most expected, and it was never more than a one-score game.  The Jaguars only gained 243 yards of offense, turned the ball over twice, and converted just 3 of 12 third down tries.  Blake Bortles had an up and down day, throwing two picks.  The Jaguars never got into the end zone, but three Josh Scobee field goals kept it close.  With the one-win Titans up next on the schedule, it would seem like a good time for the Jaguars to get out of the winless column, but it's still a tall task for a team that has played poorly so far.

Indianapolis Colts (3-2)

Place: T-1st

Last Week: Won 20-13 over the Baltimore Ravens

This Week: at the Houston Texans

The Colts won their third game in a row, and this week they were the only AFC South team to get a win.  The Colts beat the Ravens at home behind a strong defensive performance.  The Colts held the Ravens to 287 yards of offense, forced three turnovers, and recorded four sacks.  The Indy offense had trouble finishing drives in the red zone, but Andrew Luck did enough to win, scoring once with his arm and another time with his legs to lead the Colts to a tie for first place in the AFC South.  Just three weeks ago, the Colts were in a two game hole in the division race with an 0-2 record, and now they're at 3-2 and tied for first place.  On Thursday night, the two teams tied for first play each other.