The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) will play host to the division-rival Tennessee Titans (6-5) on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium in what is expected to be a physical battle from both sidelines.
The experts around the league are siding with the road underdogs in the Titans despite the Colts being 2.5-point favorites. Both teams are heading in opposite directions entering this Week 13 matchup.
Here’s how the Colts Wire staff sees the outcome of this crucial divisional matchup:
Kevin Hickey (@KevinHickey11): Titans 21, Colts 18
Things aren’t looking good for the Colts, who have dropped three of their last four games. Now, they have to face a stout Titans defense at home without very many options. This is especially true after T.Y. Hilton suffered a setback with his calf injury during practice this week.
The Colts and Titans always play physical matchups that are won in the trenches. However, with the way the Titans have been playing under Ryan Tannehill and the lack of a passing game from Jacoby Brissett in recent weeks, the Colts don’t come out victorious in this crucial AFC battle.
If Brissett can find some of that early-season form, there is certainly a chance it happens. However, given what he has shown over the last four weeks, it shouldn’t be expected against a stout Titans defense.
On the other side, the Colts defense must bottle up Derrick Henry, something I think they will do, but they also must stay strong in the red zone—an aspect they may falter once or twice in on Sunday.
This game could go either way, but it’s difficult to have confidence in the Colts offense scoring enough to beat the Titans on Sunday.
Arden Franklyn (@ArdenSportsTalk): Colts 23, Titans 17:
I have to be honest, this was the first game in a while where I thought about going against the Colts but I just couldn’t at the end. Even with their latest string of injuries and fans/media doubting QB Jacoby Brissett, the Colts still have a lot going for them which should give them a much-needed victory. First of all, their defense has been playing like a top 10-12 unit across the league and it’s beginning to show up in rankings such as rushing yards allowed, sacks produced and points given up.
Lastly, I’ll bring it back to the offense and more so, this coaching staff. After having an extended break to rest from and prepare for this game, I believe Coach Reich and Co. will roll out a more balanced and inclusive offensive game plan that doesn’t make the Colts over-reliant on their running or passing games. It’s in my honest opinion, their over-reliance on running the ball against Houston last week ultimately set up their inability to execute down the stretch.
John Alfieri (@alfierijohn): Colts 21, Titans 13
The curse of injuries sadly continues as the Colts will host the Titans on Sunday for a crucial AFC South matchup. Both teams come into this one at 6-5 and hope to keep pace with the Texans, who host New England this week.
With Marlon Mack still out the run game has still been consistent with Jonathan Williams and Nyheim Hines carrying the load. Williams will go over 100 yards again in this one as the Colts try to get the ground game going early.
Zach Pascal will be a bigger part of the offense as the Colts try to throw the ball down the field with T.Y. Hilton ruled out and Parris Campbell likely missing another game.
The defense, the healthiest unit, will be the biggest factor in this one as they will hold Derrick Henry under 100 yards and no touchdowns. Ryan Tannehill will throw two picks as well. Expect the Colts to blitz more and sack Tannehill over five times as well.
The Colts will fall behind early but come out and have a huge second half as they could possibly retake the AFC South on Sunday. This team’s mental and physical toughness will be the reason they are victorious in this one.