Tennessee Titans (3-11) will face off against the Indianapolis Colts (6-8) this Sunday at 1 p.m. EST, with the match being broadcasted on CBS. The current betting line from BetMGM favors the Colts by 3.5 points. In terms of performance against the spread, the Titans have struggled this season at 2-12, while the Colts have a more respectable record at 8-6. Historically, the Colts lead the series with a record of 38 wins to the Titans’ 22. The last encounter between these teams saw the Colts narrowly defeat the Titans 20-17 on October 13 in Nashville, Tennessee.
Last week, the Titans suffered a defeat against the Bengals, with a final score of 37-27, while the Colts fell short against the Broncos, losing 31-13. Analyzing the performance stats, the Titans’ offense ranks 27th overall, sitting at 19th in rushing, 26th in passing, and also 27th in scoring. Conversely, their defensive performance has been significantly better, ranking second overall, 12th against the run, third against the pass but tied for 29th in scoring defense. The Colts’ offense ranks 21st overall with a 13th ranking in rushing, 27th in passing, and 23rd in scoring, while their defense is struggling at 28th overall, with the run defense at 30th and passing at 23rd and scoring at 21st.
A focal point for the Titans will be quarterback Mason Rudolph. With the decision to bench Will Levis, Rudolph is set to make his fourth start of the season. His statistics have been lacking, with a completion rate of 63%, totaling 1,015 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions. Rudolph’s performance could serve as an audition for his future with another franchise as he looks to turn his season around.
On the Colts’ side, running back Jonathan Taylor is a key player to watch. After managing to break the 100-yard mark last week, he displayed a solid average of 4.86 yards per carry, yet his careless mistake of dropping the ball just before the goal line became a significant topic, potentially impacting the team’s playoff chances. Taylor’s response this week against one of the league’s strongest run defenses will be crucial.
The critical matchup to observe will be between Titans’ RB Tony Pollard and the Colts’ run defense. Pollard is one of the few bright spots for Tennessee and needs just 18 rushing yards to secure his third consecutive 1,000-yard season, despite nursing an ankle injury. With a quarterback shift, Pollard’s role will be vital in the Titans’ offensive strategy against the Colts.
In terms of injuries, the Titans may be facing several challenges. Kicker Nick Folk (abdominal), linebacker Kenneth Murray (hamstring), and RB Tony Pollard (ankle) are all game-time decisions. Furthermore, linebacker Luke Gifford is still in the concussion protocol, but cornerback Roger McCreary is expected to return after missing a couple of games with a shoulder injury.
For the Colts, wide receiver Alec Pierce will sit out due to a concussion, alongside linebacker E.J. Speed (knee). However, there is optimism regarding the return of Pro Bowl center Ryan Kelly and cornerback JuJu Brents from knee injuries, although both remain questionable.
Tennessee has lost three games in a row and five of their last six under first-year head coach Brian Callahan. A loss this week would equal one of the team’s highest loss totals since transitioning from Houston in the 1990s. In their previous game, the Titans turned the ball over six times, contributing to an overall lack of control and discipline. Positively, the Titans’ defense has recorded at least one interception over the last four games, claiming a season-high four turnovers last week. Kicker Nick Folk has notably made an NFL record of 85 consecutive field goals from under 40 yards.
On the Colts’ side, they have endured four losses in their last six outings, putting them on the brink of elimination from the AFC playoff picture. They have scored significantly in the opening drives of their games and have demonstrated good performance in crucial moments, with 34 points in the last two minutes of games. Additionally, linebacker Zaire Franklin, linebacker E.J. Speed, and safety Nick Cross have all been standout players in tackles, ranking among the league’s top five.
For fantasy football enthusiasts, Taylor holds the most potential this week, but opting for the Titans’ defense could be a safer bet considering the Colts’ recent history of turnovers and underwhelming scoring.