Through the first four weeks of the 2025 NFL season, the Colts remain at the top of the AFC South standings, tied with the Jacksonville Jaguars as both teams now have a 3-1 record. The Colts suffered their first loss of the season to the Los Angeles Rams while the Jaguars beat the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the Houston Texans finally got their first win of the season by shutting out the Tennessee Titans, who remain winless at 0-4 with very little light at the end of the tunnel.
Jaguars defense dominates in win over 49ers
The Jaguars made a statement on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, beating the 49ers 26-21 and forcing four takeaways as they moved to 3-1 for the first time since 2018. The Jaguars have now had at least three takeaways in all four of their games this season.
The Jaguars scored 17 points off their first three turnovers on Sunday: a fumble recovery immediately set up a 48-yard touchdown run by running back Travis Etienne, an interception by linebacker Devin Lloyd led to another touchdown drive and a second interception by Lloyd brought about a field goal to extend the Jaguars' lead to 20-14 in the third quarter.
Then, a strip sack on 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy late in the fourth quarter put the ball back in Trevor Lawrence's hands. At this point, the Jaguars led 26-21 and simply ran the clock out for the final few minutes of the game.
"We're very opportunistic," Lloyd said. "We have a lot of ballhawks on the defense. The ball's always on our mind. It starts up front, and I think everybody just capitalizes on the opportunities that we have."
"If you less turnovers than the other team, you have a good chance of winning," Lawrence said. "For us, that has been a huge advantage for us, our defense getting a bunch of turnovers. Today, finally, we had a game where we didn't give the ball away. Those things matter. That makes a difference."
Lawrence completed 21-of-31 passes for 174 yards and one touchdown in Sunday's win. Etienne had 19 carries for 124 yards to lead all players, averaging 6.5 yards per carry and wide receiver Parker Washington burst out for an 87-yard punt return touchdown to put the Jaguars up 26-14 in the third quarter.
But really, it was the Jaguars' defense that won them the game, as has been the case for every win this season. They have a league-leading 13 forced turnovers on the season and have proven they can change the tone of a game with one play.
"Every time we compete, I think we have a chance," Coen said. "Through four weeks, I think we have a chance. There's not a time in a game where you're like, 'Man, this is getting away from us. Even when negative things start to occur and we stall on offense, the defense makes a play. Boom. These guys keep having each other's backs. That's what's pretty cool after four weeks."
The Jaguars play the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football in Week 5.
Texans shut out Titans with 20-point fourth quarter.
The first three quarters of the Titans' game against the Texans at NRG Stadium dragged. Neither team reached the red zone until seconds before the end of the third quarter. Texans kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn made two field goals and Titans kicker Joey Slye missed two field goals in the first half. Nobody could get any momentum or sustain drives.
The Texans led 6-0 heading into halftime, with the Titans defense was doing all it could to keep its offense in the game. But they could only hold on for so long.
On the final play of the third quarter, the Texans finally reached the red zone – and from there, the game was all but lost. C.J. Stroud led three straight touchdown drives while the Titans gave up an interception, turned the ball over on downs and punted in the fourth quarter, unable to even get out of their own territory.
The Texans won 26-0, earning their first win of the season, while the Titans fell to a crushing 0-4.
"Everything," Ward said when asked what's going wrong with his offense. "From an interception, to a penalty, to an incompletion by me, a bad ball. And once we pass the 50 (yard-line), we just are not continuing the drive...If we keep it a buck right now, we (expletive). We're 0 and 4. At this point, we have nothing to lose. We dropped a quarter of our (expletive) games, and we have yet to do anything. So, we have to lock in, especially myself. From the offensive line from the defensive line from the special teams, all three phases, we have to play together. We have not played together this year yet."
Ward completed just 10-of-26 passes for 108 yards with one interception, and he was sacked twice. Stroud, by comparison, completed 22-of-28 passes for 233 yards and two touchdowns with a quarterback rating of 125.1. He was also sacked twice, but Stroud is now 8-2 in his last ten games when he's sacked less than three times.
The Texans recorded 353 total net yards to the Titans' 175 yards and had 20 first downs, while the Titans only had 10.
"I'm tired of hearing the same thing coming in the locker room, and I am tired of saying it, that we have to play better," Titans defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons said. "I am tired of saying that. This is the NFL and they wanted it more than us, they played like they wanted it more than us. We are not playing good right now. It is frustrating as hell."
As for the Texans, while they're certainly pleased to have gotten a win, they know there's still a lot of work to be done.
"I'm feeling outstanding for the guys," head coach DeMeco Ryans said. "Again, we work hard as a team to be on the details, be where we're supposed to be. For a defense to go out and play just a clean game, it's not always pretty. Going to have issues here and there. But, for the most part, it was a very clean game.
"First three games we didn't know who we are because we continued to hurt ourselves so much. So, we'll see. This is a start. We'll see how we can continue to build off that. Each week presents its set of challenges."
The Texans next play the 1-3 Baltimore Ravens.
