NFL Match Preview: Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans
The Indianapolis Colts have fought off adversary and injury and are once again poised to take the AFC South title. The Colts have been on a three game winning streak to help their selves rise through the standings against the Jacksonville Jaguars. At 9-6,
the Colts are a game ahead of the Jaguars heading into the final week of the regular season and would secure the division title if they win one more game.
Standing between the Colts and the AFC South title are division rivals, the Tennessee Titans. If the Titans are defeated, Indianapolis would secure their ninth consecutive playoff appearance, an NFL record. The Colts are in control of their own destiny but
even if they are unable to pull through at the Lucas Oil Stadium, they could still go through to the playoffs and claim the division if the Jaguars are defeated by the Houston Texans.
After week 10, the Colts started a 3 game losing streak. They were defeated by the New England Patriots, the San Diego Chargers and even the Dallas Cowboys. Quarterback Peyton Manning threw 11 of his 17 interceptions in those three games. Their playoff dreams
seemed to fade but then the Colts turned things around for themselves. “It's really hard to get a summary and try to put it in perspective,” said Manning. “We've definitely dealt with different things. Maybe it's been different in years past, (we've had) different
guys playing each week.”
Manning went without being picked off against the Titans and the Jaguars in weeks 14 and 15 but was intercepted twice by the Oakland Raiders last week. The quarterback threw 3 touchdown passes in that game and the offence was aided by a season-best rushing
performance. Running back Joseph Addai made his much awaited return from injury to contribute 45 yards on the ground. However, it was Dominic Rhodes who stole the spotlight with 98 rushing yards to help the Colts to a total of 191 rushing yards.
This season, Indianapolis have been utterly incapable of running the ball. The contrast between the strength of the pass and the frailty of the rush is just vulgar. The Colts are the best passing side and one of the worst rushing sides. Their 92.1 rushing
yards' average ranks 30th in the league. A resurgence of the rush at the eve of the playoffs could prove to be decisive for Indianapolis.
It’s all or nothing for the Colts this Sunday but for their opponents, all is already lost. The race for the playoffs ended last week for the Titans when they were crushed by the Kansas City Chiefs. Titans' quarterback became only the 12th quarterback
in the NFL to reach the 40,000 yards milestone in that game but didn’t feel like celebrating the achievement after losing the game and all chances of making the playoffs.
“It's hard to feel good about anything,” Collins said after that game. “I understand that it's a nice accomplishment and all that, but right now at this moment with the way (Sunday) went, the way the season has gone, it's not possible to feel good about
it.”
The Titans have lost 7 of their last eight games. Although, the season started well enough for them but it has been nothing but downhill since their bye week. The Titans have clashed with Colts once before in the season and were defeated after putting up
a tough fight. Collins threw 3 touchdown passes without an interception against the Colts' defence. Manning threw just two but three field goals put the Colts just ahead to take the win.
Under their Head Coach Jeff Fishers, the Titans have a win-loss record of 6-12 against the Indianapolis Colts. The Titans have a strong running game but Collins’ falling numbers leave Tennessee’s running backs strained. RB Chris Johnson has rushed 1,325
yards for the Titans and scored 11 touchdowns but he can’t carry the game alone on his shoulders despite his stunning numbers. Four of Tennessee’s 6 wins have come in games where Johnson has rushed over a hundred yards.
The Titans have broken down but the Colts are still in the game and this Sunday, they would throw everything they have at the Titans to secure victory and the division title. All things considered, they would very likely achieve that goal.
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