The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) have a crucial matchup awaiting them in Week 13 following their 20-17 primetime loss against the Houston Texans (7-4) at NRG Stadium.
Still in the thick of the AFC wild-card race—and the divisional race—the Colts dropped two spots in Touchdown Wire’s NFL power rankings entering Week 13 of the 2019 season. They fell from No. 12 to No. 14.
14. Indianapolis Colts (6-5)
(6-5. Last week: 12)
The good news for the Colts over their past two games is that they’ve become one of the NFL’s most effective and prolific rushing teams. In their Week 11 win over the Jaguars, they had two 100-yard rushers (Jonathan Williams and Marlon Mack), and the franchise hadn’t done that since 1985. Mack was out with a hand injury, so Williams and Nyheim Hines took over against the Texans last Thursday night, combining for 155 yards. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett added 20 yards and a rushing touchdown of his own. The bad news? Indianapolis fell short against the Texans, 20-17, in part because Brissett was unable to connect with his receivers on deep shots. Brissett threw just two passes of 20 or more air yards — both to T.Y. Hilton, and both fell incomplete. Deshaun Watson, on the other hand, hit five deep passes on nine attempts for 184 yards and two touchdowns. That was a fundamental difference in this game, and it’s a matter of concern for the Colts — Brissett has completed just nine deep passes on 28 attempts for 267 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions all season. To put that into perspective, there are 25 quarterbacks with more deep attempts, and 24 of them have more deep completions. Losing that key divisional battle was one thing; the larger issue for Frank Reich and his coaching staff is how to propel their offense forward without the capability for explosive passing plays.
The Colts find themselves in the middle of the playoff hunt but with some matchups coming up that will hold heavy implications in the race for one of the six spots in the AFC.
Indy hosts the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Currently holding the tiebreaker over the division rivals, Sunday’s matchup is huge for both teams looking to make that extra push.
The Titans have been solid on both sides of the ball, winning four of their last five games. The Colts defense has been strong, but the offense has been shaky en route to losing three of their last four games.
It will be a physical battle against the Titans, who are looking to make up for their Week 2 loss at home against the Colts.