Of all the games on the NFL schedule this week, this is definitely one of them. The Tennessee Titans (6-4) travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Luck-less Indianapolis Colts (3-7).
If you want to watch this one (and why wouldn’t you?), tune in to your local FOX station at 1 p.m. EST and FEAST YOUR EYES!
The Game: Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (+3)
O/U: 45.5
The History
The Titans and Colts have played 46 times since 1970 with Indianapolis holding a 31-15 advantage in the all time series.
Earlier this season Tennessee beat the Colts 36-22 at Nissan Stadium. It was the first Titans win over Indianapolis since 2011.
TENNESSEE TITANS (6-4)
It’s time for the weekly “Mike Mularkey is terrible report.” I hope you brought your kazoos. If you didn’t, you can make one with a comb and wax paper. We’ll wait.
Tennessee comes into this game off a nice, illusion shattering, 40-17 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensive coordinator Dick Lebeau’s defense was carved up by his old team as Ben Roethlisberger tossed four touchdowns, three of them to Antonio Brown. They made up for their inability to slow down Roethlisberger in the passing game by letting Le’Veon Bell gain 103 total yards on 21 touches. LeBeau must have felt like he was calling a game against the Patriots.
On the plus side for the Titans, quarterback Marcus Mariota probably used up all his allotted interceptions against the Steelers. He threw four of them in a disaster of a day. His final stat line was 22 of 33 for 306 yards, one touchdown and the four picks. He was also sacked five times. The fact that Tennessee even got 17 points is kind of astounding.
Tennessee is built on running the ball, but got nothing out of it against the Steelers. Derrick Henry carried the ball seven times for 32 yards. DeMarco Murray had eight carries for 10 yards. I expect both guys to find plenty of room to improve those numbers against the Colts.
The Titans have a light injury report. Officially wide receiver Rishard Matthews is questionable, but he didn’t practice this week.
On to Mularkey, the bummer for the Tennessee is, thanks to a weak division and lackluster AFC in general, this team should make the playoffs in spite of his inept coaching. That means they’ll be stuck with him at least one more year. A healthy Andrew Luck and Deshaun Watson next year fixes this problem for good.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (3-7)
Speaking of Andrew Luck and fired coaches, if Chuck Pagano’s seat was any hotter he’d be roasted and ready for carving.
Around these parts where I live there’s plenty of speculation that Jon Gruden might decide to return to coaching at the University of Tennessee. I don’t buy that at all. What I do think is very possible (if not probable) is Gruden’s return to the NFL wearing Colts colors. With a healthy Luck, high draft picks and his own staff, this team could be in for a quick turn-around. Just look at the Rams and Jaguars.
Injury wise, Indy will be without Darrell Daniels and Hassan Ridgeway this week. Margus Hunt and Kyle Kalis are both listed as questionable, but practiced. After spending the Colts’ bye week on the concussion protocol, quarterback Jacoby Brissett has been cleared to play. That will at least give Indy a puncher’s chance.
Two weeks ago, Brissett nearly got it done against the Steelers in a 20-17 loss. Roethlisberger had to bring Pittsburgh back in the fourth quarter to win the game. Brissett and the Colts, of course, managed zero points in the final 15 minutes with the game on the line. But, hey. He’s doing his best.
The Pick
As nervous as it makes me to pick a Mularkey coached team to win, there’s just too much of a talent disparity between these two teams. Pagano is on his way out and Mularkey is probably secure for at least another season. In that way, at least, Indianapolis is the real winner here. Titans 27, Colts 20
This week
Straight up: 1-2
Against the spread: 1-2
Last week
Straight up: 5-8
Against the spread: 4-9
Season
Straight up: 92-67
Against the spread: 79-79
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