Colts vs. Titans: 3 reasons for optimism in Week 13

Reasons for optimism in Week 13.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) have been going down a slippery slope over the past month or so and will host the Tennessee Titans (6-5) at Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 13 matchup.

While the Colts have been sliding, losing three of their last four games, there is still some optimism pertaining to a potential win on Sunday against the Titans.

Here are three reasons for optimism in Week 13:

Defense has been improving

While the opposing offenses haven’t been top-tier units, the Colts defense appears to be rounding into form. From Justin Houston generating strong pressure to the secondary really picking up their game, the defense has become a solid and dependable unit.

The Colts will need that trend to continue against the Titans on Sunday as the latter has seen a resurgence on the offensive side of the ball since Ryan Tannehill took over as the starter in Week 7.

Run defense has been stout

One of the biggest keys for the Colts on Sunday will be stopping Titans running back Derrick Henry. The former second-round pick in 2016 has been enjoying a career year to the tune of 206 carries for 991 yards and 10 touchdowns.

While Henry has been tearing it up against opposing defenses with six total touchdowns in the last three games, the Colts have been equally stout against the run. They haven’t allowed 100 rushing yards to a team in the last four games and have truly made strides to improve the run defense.

Getting healthier?

Though we won’t know until the final injury report comes out on Friday, but the Colts seem like they are getting healthier. Wide receivers T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell appear to be on the mend while rookie defensive backs Khari Willis and Rock Ya-Sin could be in line to return after missing Week 12.

Health has been a big problem for the Colts this season on both sides of the ball. If they are truly getting healthier, they should have an easier time competing in this game.

If you’re in the green, you’ll get Colts vs. Titans on TV

Check out the TV map in Week 13.

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) and Tennessee Titans (6-5) are preparing for a crucial divisional matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday as Week 13 approaches.

Though three games are being played on Thanksgiving, the Colts and Titans aren’t among them as they play on Sunday. Even so, this is a vital matchup for both teams trying to stay in the AFC playoff hunt.

Courtesy of 506 Sports, those in the green region of the TV map will get the Colts and Titans game on television.

The Week 13 game airs on CBS and will be called by Kevin Harlan (play-by-play), Rich Gannon (color analyst) and Jay Feely (sideline).

These two teams are heading in opposite directions. The Colts have lost three of their last four matchups while the Titans have won four of their last five games since making Ryan Tannehill the starter.

Both teams are tied at 6-5 and currently looking outside the AFC playoff hunt, but they are right in the thick of the race. The Colts currently hold the tiebreaker thanks to their Week 2 win.

The Colts and Titans are set for a 1:00 p.m. ET kickoff at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

6 Titans the Colts must game plan for in Week 13

These Titans must be in the game plan in Week 13.

The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts both sit at 6-5 ahead of a highly-anticipated AFC South matchup Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. This a must-win for both teams as they try to keep pace with Houston for the division and the tight race for the AFC wild card as well.

If the Colts want to get back on track after a long week, here are six Titans the Colts must game plan for in the Week 13 divisional matchup.

QB Ryan Tannehill

After winning four of their last five, Tannehill seems to be the short-term solution in Tennessee. Getting after him and forcing him to make rushed throws will be key for the Colts in this one. With the ability to spread the ball to a variety of receivers, shutting down Tannehill will be vital to a victory.

The Colts must also be aware of Tannehill’s ability as a runner, which is an underrated aspect of his game.

RB Derrick Henry

November-Henry is a real thing. The fourth-year back has been criticized throughout his career for being inconsistent on a week to week basis but in the month of November, Henry has been very productive during his time in Tennessee.

The Colts will have to shut down Henry in order to throw the entire offense off track in this one. When the Titans get the run game going, their offense becomes a lot more threatening.

WR A.J. Brown

The rookie receiver has been a great addition to this offense. With the size to go over the top of defenders and the speed to create separation, Brown has emerged as one of the best young receivers in the game.

Look for Pierre Desir to matchup against Brown on Sunday, mostly because of a size comparison. Don’t be surprised if Malik Hooker or Marvel Tell matchup against Brown as well.

LB Rashaan Evans

Leading the team in tackles with 85 on the year, Evans is one of the better linebackers in all of football. His run stopping ability is incredible and his speed makes it easy for him to cover tight ends as well. With Eric Ebron being placed on IR on Monday, Jack Doyle and others will have to find success after a lackluster performance in Houston.

CB Logan Ryan

Ryan has been dominant throughout his entire career, filling up a stat sheet week to week. His line on the year is 78 total tackles, three interceptions, three forced fumbles, 16 passes defended and 3.5 sacks. Ryan will most likely be on T.Y. Hilton all game as Hilton tries to bounce back after a pitiful performance against Houston.

LB Harold Landry III

The other linebacker in the Titans talented duo is Landry. Where Evans is more utilized in the passing game, Landry is moved all around the field and is a talented pass rusher. With eight sacks on the season, it will be crucial for the Colts to stop Landry blitzing up the middle in order to give Brissett time in the pocket.

Colts again turn to Jonathan Williams to lead backfield

Jonathan Williams has found success stepping up to lead the backfield.

The Indianapolis Colts are having to game plan without one of their best offensive assets in running back Marlon Mack, but this has also given them a chance to see the success of Jonathan Williams in the meantime.

Mack won’t play in Week 13 due to a hand fracture. This means Williams will be the one carrying the workload for the Colts backfield again like he did in Week 12 against the Houston Texans.

While Mack has been a success story in his own right this season, Williams is also making a quick name for himself since taking over in the former’s absence. It’s something offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni was excited to see.

“Yeah, I think we have seen that he is able to carry the load – have 20 carries and be able to protect the football. He is a big guy that is tough to tackle and also he has enough shiftiness to make guys miss as well,” Sirianni told reporters Tuesday. “So we are very pleased with what he has shown us and been able to carry the football and carry the workload in that run game. That has been nice to see.”

Williams has been wonderful in the absence of Mack. He took 13 carries for 116 yards in Week 11 against the Jaguars and then took 26 carries for 104 yards and a touchdown in Week 12 against the Texans. Much of his success must be attributed to the play of the offensive line, of course.

However, Williams has truly embraced the “Next Man Up” mantra by keeping the success of the running game going.

Though injuries are never fun or wished for, they are a part of the game. Being able to have Williams come in and have immediate success in the most crucial part of the season for the Colts is huge.

“The next guy is up and you have these relationships with these guys that you are really excited for them when they get their opportunity and they take advantage of it. That is rewarding as a coach and that is rewarding to see that happen for them and your ability as a coach too,” Sirianni said. “I mean you never want to see anyone get hurt obviously, but the bright side of it is it is nice when they step in – like Jonathan (Williams) has – and succeed.”

The Colts have a tough opponent in the Titans coming up for Week 13 where they will once again turn to Williams to lead one of the best rushing attacks in the NFL.

Titans’ Derrick Henry presents tough challenge for Colts

Derrick Henry presents a formidable challenge for Indy.

The Indianapolis Colts defense has been rounding into form over the past handful of weeks, but they are set to run into a buzzsaw in Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry for the Week 13 matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium.

A run defense that struggled at the beginning of the season, the Colts have been stout over the last four weeks. The unit hasn’t allowed more than 100 rushing yards to an opposing offense over that span.

However, defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus knows just what type of game they must have against Henry—the engine of the Titans offense.

“I just think his talent level and the way the offensive line is blocking for him. He’s a downhill runner and has a great ability to capture the edge. He also has the ability to cut back. It’s his style of running. He’s hard to get down and he creates a challenge,” Eberflus told reporters Tuesday.

Henry has been enjoying a career season in 2019. Finally getting the full workload, the Alabama product has been terrorizing the league with powerful and explosive runs.

On the season, Henry has taken 206 carries for 991 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns while averaging 4.8 yards per carry. He’s sixth in the NFL in rushing yards and fourth in rushing touchdowns. Henry has scored six total touchdowns over the last three games.

The Colts will also have to deal with the change at quarterback in Ryan Tannehill, but Henry is likely going to be the priority from the defensive side of the ball.

“Overall, their play-action pass is really good, their screen game is good and they are really good at the boots that complement the running game,” said Eberflus. “He’s a challenge every time we play him.”

This matchup is crucial for both teams trying to stay in the playoff hunt and for the Colts, that starts with keying on Henry as the top priority on the Titans offense.

7 waiver wire pickups in fantasy football for Week 13

Waiver wire pickups for Week 13.

Week 12 in the NFL brought a lot of teams that were flying high down to reality. With many talented players on a bye week, it provided lineup issues and possibly even last second waiver wire adds.

Some leagues have playoffs starting this week while others will begin over the next few weeks. Even so, the waiver wire will be important with handcuffs and injuries at the most important positions.

With trade deadlines having passed, here are the top waiver-wire pickups for Week 13:

RB Rashaad Penny — 29.1% rostered (ESPN)

Penny finally had his breakout career game on Sunday against Philadelphia as he finished with 14 carries for 129 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks have shown to give a lot of attention to the run in recent weeks but with Chris Carson still having issues holding on to the ball, Penny will be a more focused piece of this offense.

We aren’t at the point where the former first-round pick will be taking over the backfield, but head coach Pete Carroll hinted that more of a timeshare could be on the way in Seattle.

With a Monday night matchup against Minnesota on the horizon, look for Seattle to use Penny and other offensive pieces as they try to keep pace with San Francisco in the division race.

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Should Eric Ebron get another contract with Colts?

Ebron is set to hit free agency, but does he get another contract?

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It seemed following the 2018 season the Indianapolis Colts found a way to maximize the skill set of tight end Eric Ebron, who had struggled to produce consistently during the first four years of his career.

After a career-year in 2018 that saw him lead all tight ends with 13 receiving touchdowns, Ebron had a chance to earn a bigger deal when his current two-year contract with the Colts expired. However, his future is cloudy with the team.

While Ebron was expected to see a regression in his production for the 2019 season, it hit him much harder than most assumed it would. In 11 games this season, Ebron recorded 31 receptions for 375 yards and three touchdowns. That’s far from the elite move tight end production he enjoyed in 2018.

Now, the 26-year-old has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a pair of ankle injuries that each require a procedure. His season is over for the Colts, and there is a chance he won’t return.

Ebron’s lack of production shouldn’t all be pinned on him. The passing offense isn’t anywhere close to what it was in 2018—in both production and consistency. The desire to run the ball more and the change in quarterback from Andrew Luck to Jacoby Brissett have both led to Ebron’s down season.

Even so, Ebron didn’t help his case all that much either. He still struggles with concentration drops and his role in the offense playing roughly 40% of snaps per game isn’t one that warrants a new contract.

He did play through injuries—something he should be commended for in what has been an injury-marred campaign for almost the entire Colts roster.

But we know Chris Ballard doesn’t like to overpay for free agents. Ebron doesn’t have the same argument for a new deal that he had after the 2018 season. His lack of production, consistency and the injuries he dealt with are all against him in an offense that is very different from the one he excelled in.

With Jack Doyle also set to hit free agency, the Colts are suddenly thin at the tight end position. That could possibly force Ballard to bring back Ebron if he feels it is necessary even if it is a one-year deal.

However, what Ebron put on the field in addition to the changes on the offensive side of the ball likely doesn’t warrant him being a top priority when the new offseason arrives in March.

5 Colts that must step up in final 5 games

These Colts must step up over the final games.

The Indianapolis Colts are in the heart of the AFC playoff race with just five games remaining and while there are some that have carried the team, there are others that need to step it up over the next month.

Some players may need to simply add a little bit more to what they were already doing. Others may need to improve their game greatly in order for the Colts to have a chance in the next five games.

Here are five Colts that must step up in the final five games:

QB Jacoby Brissett

With flashes of brilliance and confusing struggles alike, Brissett has to improve his game over the next month. The Colts’ passing attack has been almost non-existent in recent games and even though the offense revolves around the run, they have to be able to hit big plays in the passing game.

The lack of chunk plays this season has been a big reason why the Colts haven’t been able to win by more than one score. While it isn’t all on Brissett, he does deserve some of the blame. Despite having the tools to hit on deep balls, Brissett doesn’t seem as comfortable taking chances in tight windows.

Maybe Frank Reich and Nick Sirianni prefer him to take the more high-percentage throws, but he needs to be able to move the offense down the field at a higher rate than what has been happening lately.

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AFC playoff picture: How Colts’ loss to Texans impacts standings

How does the AFC playoff picture look?

The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) have a difficult road to the playoffs over the next five games following their 20-17 loss against the Houston Texans (7-4) at NRG Stadium on Thursday night.

The Big Picture

In just one game, the Colts went from holding a top-four seed in the AFC playoff picture to being one of the teams on the outside looking in. They are currently eighth in the playoff picture tied with the Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), Oakland Raiders (6-5) and Tennessee Titans (6-5).

The Steelers and Raiders both hold the tiebreaker over the Colts given their respective wins earlier in the season while Indy currently holds the tiebreaker over the Titans thanks to their Week 2 win.

With five games remaining, the Colts will have a difficult road to the playoffs, especially with the passing game taking another hit as they lose Eric Ebron to the injured reserve list.

This Week’s Talking Point

To keep their playoff hopes alive, the Colts are back at home hosting the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. This matchup is huge for both teams looking to stay in the hunt for one of the final spots in the conference.

The Colts currently hold the tiebreaker over the Titans in the AFC playoff seeding, but that could all change if the Titans come out victorious in Week 13. The Colts have lost three of their last four games and face a do or die situation.

We’ll Also Discuss

The impact of Ebron’s absence now that he is lost for the season. The Colts’ passing offense has been struggling in its own right and now it just lost one of its biggest contributors—even if Ebron wasn’t putting up production close to his career year.

Full Playoff Picture

New England Patriots (10-1)
Baltimore Ravens (8-2)
Houston Texans (7-4)
Kansas City Chiefs (6-4)
Buffalo Bills (8-3)
Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5)
Oakland Raiders (6-5)
Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
Tennessee Titans (6-5)
Cleveland Browns (5-6)

Colts missed out on chunk plays in loss to Texans

Frank Reich says Colts needed more chunk plays.

While the Indianapolis Colts achieved a handful of objectives during the 20-17 loss against the Houston Texans on Thursday night, there was one aspect of the game they failed miserably in.

With the run game giving a physical outing to the tune of 175 yards as a team, the Colts needed to find some chunk plays mixed in. However, those plays never came, and it limited what the offense could do down the field.

Head coach Frank Reich said there were some factors that led to the lack of chunk plays but it ultimately comes down to the collective effort of the coaching staff and the players failing to get it done.

“They were playing soft zone coverage a lot of the time forcing the underneath throw and that’s OK. Jacoby (Brissett) did a good job of hitting some check downs in that game that gained good yards and moved the sticks,” Reich said Friday in a conference call. “Then we’re running the ball well on top of it and that’s good, that’s all good but we still have to find ways to make big plays and if you are going to run the ball for 175 yards, that has to be accompanied by four or five chunk plays in the passing game that are set up because of how well you are running the ball. Collectively as coaches and players – as an offense – we just didn’t get that done last night.”

The Texans played a lot more zone coverage on Thursday night than they typically do against the Colts. Part of the reason Indy has had so much success against the Texans in recent seasons has been due to their ability to beat man coverage with scheme.

However, the Texans showed many soft zone looks, which makes it difficult to get the deep ball going.

The biggest problem the Colts had Thursday night was their inability to find some type of big play. Their longest passing play was 14 yards. In today’s NFL, that simply can’t happen.

There are many reasons the Colts didn’t see many plays downfield. Part of it was the scheme shown by the Texans. Some of it is Jacoby Brissett’s decision against forcing a ball into a tight window. Part of it is the wide receiver’s lack of separation on routes.

All of those factors led to the Colts having just 129 passing yards against a defense that was allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game entering the Thursday night matchup.

The Colts offense hasn’t been one predicated on chunk plays. It’s a problem that has been masked somewhat by the rushing success and red-zone success.

But it was on full-display in primetime, and it led to an ugly loss on the road against a divisional opponent.