With four games remaining, the Indianapolis Colts are seeing the injuries piling up. This includes a lingering calf injury to wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.
Having missed four out of the last five games due to a calf injury, Hilton’s status for the final quarter of the season isn’t clear. The 30-year-old suffered a setback during practice ahead of the Week 13 game against the Titans, and he isn’t sure if a return this season is in the cards.
T.Y. Hilton obviously frustrated with this lingering calf injury.
He’s not sure if he will play again this season. Will share more after the year. Says surgery isn’t needed. pic.twitter.com/fKyKTafzMT
If there is any good news from this it is that surgery isn’t needed right now. The Colts tried to get Hilton back quickly after he initially suffered the injury in practice as the team prepared for the Week 9 game against the Steelers.
It has been a tough season for Hilton, who hasn’t been able to get healthy in 2019. He dealt with a groin injury earlier in the season that forced him to miss a game and a half and this lingering calf issue has his season in doubt.
The lack of big plays on the offensive side of the ball only compound the woes for Hilton. He has just 35 catches for 378 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 10.7 yards per catch—that is the most alarming stat.
The Colts have a difficult road to the playoff and one that likely doesn’t come to fruition. It would be hard to imagine it happening if Hilton doesn’t return.
As crazy as this may sound, I’m not in a place of concern for the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) right now. For them to be in this position, losers of four out of their last five games seem to be fitting a team that, at one point, was thriving under more than unfavorable situations. But of course, the tide begins to change.
Following their 5-2 start to the season, the Colts are once again at the .500 mark as they lost to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. Despite possessing a 10-point lead early in the third quarter, the Colts couldn’t build off of it as they allowed the Titans to score 24 points en route to winning 31-17.
Here are five postgame takeaways from the Week 13 loss:
AP Photo/Darron Cummings
Another target is seriously injured
For an offense that was already dealing with various injuries to its biggest contributors, they didn’t need to suffer another one on Sunday. But, of course, you can’t get everything you ask for. During the second quarter, wide receiver Chester Rogers was injured and eventually ruled out of the game, and we discovered why earlier on Monday.
The Colts’ third receiver in command (when everyone is healthy) and starting punt returner suffered a season-ending knee fracture. While Rogers didn’t produce a catch in Sunday’s game, his absence still hurt the Colts’ struggling offense. The Grambling State product is capable of making timely plays that spark their offense and is well-versed in Frank Reich’s offensive scheme.
Our weekly NFL underdog betting staple continues into Week 13 where Ken Pomponio features three teams likely to upset their underdog odds
We’re past Thanksgiving, so the real NFL season is underway.
At least that’s how the saying goes.
In this space, we’re bringing a 21-15 overall record into the closing stretch after going 2-1 last week. I was on pair of underdogs who covered in straight-up losses (Colts +3.5 against the Texans and Cowboys +6.5 vs. the Patriots) and another (Packers +3.5 at the 49ers) that most definitely did not.
Now, with the trio of Turkey Day games already in the Week 13 books, we’ll have to come up with three underdogs from the rest the card, utilizing, as usual, Wednesday’s posted point spreads from BetMGM.com. Here goes …
Tennessee Titans (+2.5) at Indianapolis Colts
(Photo Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel – USA TODAY Sports)
These two AFC South foes met back in Week 2, and the visiting Colts came away with a 19-17 road victory for their 19th win in the last 23 meetings with the Titans since the start of the 2008 season.
But it’s been the Titans who have since undergone the greatest transformation, winning four of five games since Ryan Tannehill replaced the scuffling Marcus Mariota as the starting quarterback in Week 7. Tannehill has been much more than just a fill-in, throwing for 10 TDs and rushing for three more while throwing only four interceptions.
Indy, meanwhile, is trending in the opposite direction, having dropped three of four since Week 9 with QB Jacoby Brissett missing two of those losses with a knee injury.
Brissett has been back for the last two games, but two of his top weapons will missing Sunday as tight end Eric Ebron has been placed on injured reserve list and No. 1 wideout T.Y. Hilton is sidelined after suffering a setback with his nagging calf injury in practice this week.
That’s more than enough to tilt the balance in favor of the red-hot Tannehill and the Titans if you weren’t leaning in that direction already.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+1.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
(Photo Credit: Jason Getz – USA TODAY Sports)
This matchup of 4-7 Florida foes also is a meeting of two teams headed in opposite directions of late as the Bucs have won two of their last three while the Jags have dropped three straight, losing by at least 20 each time.
Tampa quietly owns the league’s No. 3 scoring offense at 28.4 points per game, and only the Cowboys’ Dak Prescott, with 3,788 in 12 games, has thrown for yards than the Bucs’ Jameis Winston (3,391 in 11). Winston also ranks fourth with 22 TD passes but, of course, the problem is interceptions as Winston has tossed 20 — six more than any other QB in the league.
Meanwhile, QB Nick Foles is back at the helm in J’ville, but he’s guided the Jags to only 33 points in his last two starts.
Foles has a capable sidekick in running back Leonard Fournette, but (again) the Bucs quietly own the league’s No. 2 defense against the run. Jacksonville doesn’t have cornerback Jalen Ramsey anymore to help deal with Tampa’s standout WR duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, who have both already eclipsed 1,000 receiving yards on the season and have combined for 16 scoring receptions.
Look for the Bucs to prevail in a shootout.
Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) at Seattle Seahawks
(Photo Credit: David Berding – USA TODAY Sports)
It’s another intriguing Monday night matchup as the NFC’s two current wild-card front-runners put their superb records on the line.
Both teams feature QBs (Russell Wilson, Kirk Cousins) playing at elite levels, and well-rounded, top-10 offenses going against shakier-than-most-expect defenses, particularly against the pass, so there should be some back-and-forth action on the scoreboard.
Despite their 9-2 record, though, the Seahawks are stunningly 0-5 ATS against the midweek lines at home this season while the 8-3 Vikings have covered and won in three of their last four road contests.
Take the Purple and the points.
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After having an extended break following last Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts return to action as they’ll host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. They approach the end of this three-week stretch, which consisted of all divisional matchups.
Even with their loss in Week 12 and suffering additional injuries, the Colts are still very much alive in the AFC playoff picture. It’s just a matter of relying on their strengths at this point, and hopefully getting back a key contributor or two in the coming weeks.
Here are three, key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 13 bout against the Titans:
Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images
QB Jacoby Brissett vs. Titans’ Top 10 scoring defense
Even as someone who has defended Jacoby Brissett on various occasions, I must admit now is the time for him to step up his game. Regardless if it was before his knee injury in Week 9 or right after, the Colts’ QB1 has begun to struggle and is in need of a huge game on Sunday.
While the Titans rank fairly low in defensive categories such as passing yards allowed (24th with 255) and red-zone scoring percentages (30th with 64.5%), they’ve been a stingy group in other areas. Entering Week 13, the Titans have been giving up the ninth and eighth fewest points per game and third-down conversions, respectively. This is huge to think about in relation to Brissett’s struggles.
For a quarterback that has averaged 138 passing yards in his last two games along with being sacked four times, the odds seem to be against Brissett having a breakout game. Especially when he’ll be missing his three best offensive targets in RB Marlon Mack, WR T.Y. Hilton, and TE Eric Ebron.
The Indianapolis Colts will be without T.Y. Hilton and Marlon Mack against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.
The Indianapolis Colts (6-5) ruled out wide receiver T.Y. Hilton and running back Marlon Mack on Friday ahead of the Week 13 matchup against the Tennessee Titans (6-5).
Both players were already ruled out for the divisional matchup, but head coach Frank Reich made it official on Friday. They are still waiting to see if rookie wide receiver Parris Campbell will make his return, though it’s not looking likely.
Frank Reich rules out T.Y. Hilton and Marlon Mack.#Colts will “wait another day” with Parris Campbell. Reich: “I’m not so sure he’s gonna make it.” Campbell has to be comfortable with the protection on his right hand.
The Colts ruled Mack out as soon as the week began and then it was revealed that Hilton suffered a setback with his calf injury so he was ruled out as well.
The Colts will be short-handed on offense again in terms of skill players against what should be a strong Titans defense. In the absence of Mack, the backfield is expected to be led by Jonathan Williams.
The Colts will release the final injury report on Friday, which will give a better idea of the statuses entering the weekend.
The duo of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton gave the Tennessee Titans the absolute blues for years.
The duo of Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck and wide receiver T.Y. Hilton gave the Tennessee Titans the absolute blues for years.
But the team will face neither of those players on Sunday, given Luck’s retirement ahead of the season and Hilton being ruled out for the Sunday matchup.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported on Thursday morning that Hilton had “suffered a setback with his calf injury” and will be out.
Colts’ WR TY Hilton suffered a setback with his calf injury and is now out for Sunday vs. Tennessee.
Hilton reeled in four receptions for 43 yards and a touchdown to finish as the team’s leading receiver in the Colts’ 19-17 win over the Titans in Nissan Stadium earlier this season.
In 2019, Hilton has accounted for 35 of Indianapolis’ catches for 378 yards and five touchdowns over seven games.
The Colts’ passing game is always impacted without a healthy Hilton, and it will be interesting to see how well they’re able to compensate for it against a much-improved Titans team.
The Titans and Colts are set to kick off at noon CT on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Indianapolis Colts WR T.Y. Hilton won’t play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13 after suffering a setback with the calf injury.
Indianapolis Colts wife receiver T.Y. Hilton was hoping to continue his progress with a calf injury but it seems he suffered a setback and will not play against the Tennessee Titans in Week 13.
Hilton, who missed three straight games with the calf injury before returning in Week 12, was on a pitch count against the Texans.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard told reporters that Hilton suffered a setback on Wednesday during practice.
Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton is OUT this Sunday against the Titans. He suffered a setback with his calf injury yesterday in practice, per GM Chris Ballard.
This is a huge blow to a wide receiver corps that was already lacking production and playmakers. Now, they will be without their top options in Hilton, who was essentially a non-factor in Week 12 when he was on a pitch count.
The Colts passing game has been nothing short of putrid over the last month and going against a tough Titans defense without Hilton is likely to continue that trend.
Few things say it’s a big game more than when it’s in prime time, your opponent is your most hated rival, and there is not only a chance to secure an outright lead in your division but any other advantages in the playoff implications that come up at season’s end.
The Indianapolis Colts had all of that at stake and then some before falling short against the Houston Texans, 20-17. Thursday night’s affair once again came down to the last minute, and this time the Texans (7-4) outlasted the Colts (6-5) and ended their three-game losing streak against Indy.
Here are five takeaways:
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Watson finally gains an edge on the Colts defense
Entering Thursday night, quarterback Deshaun Watson was struggling against the Colts. Across the board, the Clemson product was seeing negatives that included a decline in his overall numbers, being pressured at a higher rate and losing three consecutive games against them.
Although the Colts had their moments against Watson on Thursday night, it wasn’t the same as before. The MVP candidate produced greater success in Week 12 as his athleticism and timely throws resulted in 298 passing yards, two passing touchdowns and just one sack surrendered.
Minus the successful blitzes by the Colts defense, they couldn’t get close enough to actually pressure Watson while also limiting his effectiveness as a runner.
After Thursday’s win over the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins says Houston is not T.Y. Hilton’s home.
In 2018, Indianapolis Colts wideout T.Y. Hilton called Houston his home —deservingly so, he routinely plays well in H-Town.
Hilton, since entering the NFL in 2012, has dominated the Texans, particularly when playing at NRG Stadium. Entering Week 12, Hilton had compiled 87 receptions for 1,604 yards and 10 touchdowns in 16 career contests against the Texans.
In his eight games at NRG Stadium, Hilton had racked up 46 receptions for 1,018 yards and seven touchdowns before Week 12’s matchup. His quarterbacks — Andrew Luck, Jacoby Brissett and Matt Hasselbeck — combined for a 129.8 passer rating when targeting him in Houston.
Thursday night’s Texans 20-17 win was not a continuation of dominant performances for Hilton. He finished with three receptions for 18 yards. But, it was one for Texans wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, as he pitched in six catches for 94 yards and a pair of scores.
Hopkins’ performance reminded the national audience of who calls Houston home. It’s not a clown mask wearing Hilton, who resides in Indianapolis.
“You know, when someone says this is their home, they’re insulting me. I think that T.Y.’s (Hilton) a great player. That’s my boy, but I take things like that personal,” said Hopkins after the win.
The Texans effectively shutdown a receiver with career performances in Houston. Hilton’s performance was his second-worst in a game against the Texans.
The Colts struggled to match the Texans’ big plays on Thursday, in large part due to Hilton’s inability to get open. Houston played the speed merchant pass-catcher tight, with cornerback Gareon Conley seeing most of the time against him.
“He’s played some amazing games here, but today it wasn’t their day,” said Hopkins.
While Hilton travels back to Indiana, Hopkins and Co. will get to celebrate the establishment of their homefield advantage, which resides in the limits of Harris County. Earning the sole possession of the top of the AFC South is just a bonus.
The Colts and Texans, with identical 6-4 records, clash in a primetime matchup Thursday night in Houston. This marks the second meeting of the season between the top-ranked AFC South squads. Indianapolis leads the all-time series 28-8, including a 30-23 victory four weeks ago in Week 7.
Indianapolis snapped a two-game losing streak by beating the Jaguars 33-13 at home. Jacoby Brissett, who totaled 326 yards and four touchdowns last time against the Texans, returned from injury and picked up 148 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. The team relied less on the passing game and more on the run with the unit combining for 264 yards and three touchdowns for the fourth-ranked rushing attack in the NFL. Jonathan Williams had 13 carries for 116 yards, while Marlon Mack picked up 109 yards and one touchdown to bring his total to 865 yards on the season (fifth in the NFL). Unfortunately, Mack will undergo hand surgery and be out indefinitely, causing a huge blow to the offense and shifting the weight back onto Brissett.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Colts picked up two sacks and forced Nick Foles to throw one interception. The key was its ability to stop the run and hold Leonard Fournette to just 23 yards. Kenny Moore II led the team with eight tackles and one sack, while rookie Rock Ya-Sin racked up six tackles and the lone interception. The Colts will need to put pressure on Deshaun Watson and force the Texans to beat them in the passing game.
Sacks, sacks, and more sacks. The Baltimore Ravens defense was in the face of Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson all afternoon as they were destroyed 41-7 on the road. Watson completed 18 of 29 passes for 169 yards, one interception and was sacked 7 times. The offensive line will need to keep Watson upright the Texans want to beat the Colts. Carlos Hyde picked up nine carries for 65 yards and one touchdown for a rushing attack that ranks fifth with an average of 140.7 YPG. All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins led the team with seven catches for 80 yards and is the go-to guy for Watson in the passing game.
No defense has had the answer for Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson this season and the Texans were no different. The dual-threat quarterback accounted for over 300 yards and four touchdowns of total offense. Houston allowed 491 yards in the game, including 112 yards and one touchdown to running back Gus Edwards. Mack being sidelined will make the contest a little easier this weekend against the Colts but don’t count out Williams. Not only will they have to account for him, but also a versatile Jacoby Brissett.
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