The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are set to square off this Sunday, December 22, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET at Lucas Oil Stadium, marking another pivotal matchup as both teams seek to end their seasons on a high note.
With the Colts standing at 6-8, their hopes for making the AFC playoffs hang by a thread and require both winning out their remaining games and receiving help from other teams. Conversely, the Titans have struggled throughout the season, presenting a 3-11 record and coming fresh off yet another disappointing loss.
Both teams have had their share of difficulties, particularly with their quarterbacks. The Titans recently made headlines by benching Will Levis, replacing him with Mason Rudolph, who has proven to be the more competent option this season statistically. This change could be significant, especially when considering the Colts' defensive struggles.
The Colts, on the other hand, are led by Anthony Richardson, who has shown flashes of potential but has also faced criticism over his inconsistency, including high interception rates. His development is pivotal for Indianapolis, who aims to rebound after being thrashed by the Denver Broncos last week.
The current betting odds show the Colts as 3.5-point favorites against the Titans, with the over/under set at 42.5 total points. The moneyline indicates the Colts at -198 to win, against the Titans at +164 for the upset. This reflects the general sentiment around both teams' performances this season, with the Colts typically having the edge at home.
Looking at the stats, the Colts rank 23rd in scoring offense with 20 points per game, and allow 23.5 points on defense, ranking 21st. The Titans, on the other hand, are lower on the offensive end, averaging just 301 total yards per game - the 27th worst in the league. Fortunately for the Titans, their defense shines as it ranks second by allowing only 297.4 yards per game.
Using analytics from Football Outsiders, we can compare the performances of both quarterbacks. Mason Rudolph has posted a DVOA of -8.2%, compared to Levis' staggering -37.4%. Although Rudolph's record with the Titans is just 1-2, he has shown flashes of ability, especially during the limited opportunities he has had this season. For the Colts, Richardson's performance needs to stabilize if they want to keep their playoff dreams alive.
Past matchups between these two teams highlight the competitive nature of the AFC South. When they last met, the Colts narrowly escaped with a win, pulling out a tense 20-17 victory. It’s worth noting, when prior history between these teams is considered, the Colts have performed well against the Titans, winning consistently over the last couple of seasons.
The consensus from various analysts leans toward the Colts pulling through again, albeit narrowly. Analysts predict the Colts winning ranges from 21-17 to 27-17, with the consensus being they may not run away with the game but will get the victory.
Despite Indianapolis’ inconsistencies, they will be facing off against one of the worst teams against the spread this season. The Titans record against the spread stands at just 2-12, placing them among the NFL's bottom tier, as their struggles continue to compound.
The Titans' run game has seen some resurgence lately, particularly with Tony Pollard making significant contributions. Pollard has rushed for over 88 yards multiple times this season, offering the Titans some hope. If the ground game can carry them, it could ease the burden on Rudolph and allow the Titans to remain competitive.
Both teams have been dealing with injuries, with the Titans struggling without several key players and the Colts facing their injury issues as well. This will also factor heavily as both coaching staffs try to navigate the limitations of their squads.
For fans and viewers eager to catch the action, the game will be broadcast live on CBS and available for streaming on platforms like Paramount+. Tickets for those wishing to attend are still available at affordable prices on StubHub.
Anticipation is building as the Colts prepare for this divisional battle, with fans hoping their team can muster the performance needed to clinch what could be their last chance at postseason aspirations. Given the history and rivalry between these two teams, it promises to be another exciting chapter in the AFC South narrative.
