INDIANAPOLIS (6 - 6) at TENNESSEE (5 - 7)
Top Trends for this game.
INDIANAPOLIS is 7-0 ATS (+7.0 Units) when playing on a Thursday since 1992.
Head-to-Head Series History
INDIANAPOLIS is 3-1 against the spread versus TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
INDIANAPOLIS is 3-1 straight up against TENNESSEE over the last 3 seasons
3 of 4 games in this series have gone UNDER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons
INDIANAPOLIS vs. TENNESSEE
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Indianapolis's last 10 games when playing Tennessee
The total has gone OVER in 8 of Indianapolis's last 9 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Tennessee's last 5 games when playing at home against Indianapolis
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Tennessee's last 9 games at home
INDIANAPOLIS at TENNESSEE
INDIANAPOLIS: 7-0 ATS on Thursday
TENNESSEE: 13-4 OVER at home after having lost 4 or 5 out of their last 6 games
NFL Tech Trends - Week 14
By Bruce Marshall
INDIANAPOLIS at TENNESSEE...It's been a rough few weeks for the Titans, with no wins or covers in their last five. Jeff Fisher just 2-6 vs. line last 8 at LP Field. Titans have also lost and failed to cover last 3 vs. Indy after covering previous five. Note Colts "over" 8-1 last nine as visitor. Tech edge-"Over" and slight to Colts, based on "totals" and team trends.
Colts at Titans
By Kevin Rogers
Two struggling AFC South teams meet in Nashville in a virtual elimination game inside the division when the Titans host the Colts. Indianapolis has dropped three straight games after an overtime setback to Dallas last Sunday, while Tennessee is running through an anemic offensive span with five consecutive losses.
The Colts are suffering through a myriad of injuries on offense, but Peyton Manning's plethora of interceptions (11 in the last three games) in this stretch hasn't helped matters. Indianapolis fell short in close finishes against New England and Dallas, while getting chased out at home by San Diego. The overtime loss to the Cowboys was disappointing on several fronts as five-point favorites. Dallas jumped out to a 17-0 advantage before Indianapolis climbed all the way back to take a 28-27 lead early in the fourth quarter. The Colts would tie the game in the final minute of regulation, but the Cowboys won it in overtime thanks to a 38-yard field goal by David Buehler.
Manning's struggles have been well-documented, while the running game sits dead-last in the NFL after a 40-yard performance on Sunday. There are very few positives to find with this banged-up Indianapolis squad, but the Colts are only one game back of the division-leading Jaguars at 6-6. Tennessee, meanwhile, isn't dead yet at 5-7, but time is running out on Jeff Fisher's team.
The Titans felt good about themselves following a 5-2 start heading into Halloween, but things have turned into a horror show over the last five weeks. Since the pickup of Randy Moss off waivers from Minnesota, the Titans have scored 39 points in the past four games. Taking it a step further, Tennessee has been outscored, 37-6 in consecutive division losses to the Texans and Jaguars. Chris Johnson's struggles are apparent with just 58 yards rushing the last two weeks, while Moss has picked up five receptions since his arrival in Nashville.
The biggest question heading into Thursday's game at LP Field is what gives with two stumbling teams? Indianapolis has lost two divisional road games at Houston and Jacksonville, while Tennessee is 1-2 inside the AFC South. The last time the Colts lost three straight games was Tony Dungy's first season as head coach in 2002, but Indianapolis snapped the skid with a 35-13 pounding of Philadelphia as 9 ½-point road underdogs.
Tennessee has gone through a carousel ride at quarterback with Vince Young getting hurt, followed by Kerry Collins falling prey to injury. The low-point offensively was former Florida Atlantic quarterback Rusty Smith starting in a 20-0 road loss to Houston in Week 12. Collins came back last week against Jacksonville, throwing for just 169 yards and two interceptions, while the Titans held the ball for only 20 minutes.
Under Jim Caldwell, the Colts own a 7-2-1 ATS mark as a road favorite, even though each loss came this season. Since 2005, Indianapolis is 4-14 ATS coming off a defeat, including a 2-3 ATS record this season. However, all five instances came at Lucas Oil Stadium, as the Colts are 0-6 ATS in this nearly six-year stretch on the road off a loss.
The Titans are listed as a home underdog for the first time this season, but Fisher's club has compiled a 7-3 ATS ledger when getting points at home since 2006. With the inability to score over the last three weeks, the 'under' is cashing pretty easily for Tennessee with numbers between 43 and 46.
The Colts swept the season series in 2009 with a pair of double-digit victories over the Titans. Indianapolis beat down Tennessee on a Sunday night in Nashville, 31-9 as three-point road 'chalk.' Manning torched the Titans' secondary with three touchdown passes, while the Colts limited Johnson to 34 yards rushing to send Tennessee to 0-5. Indianapolis finished the sweep at Lucas Oil with a 27-17 victory as six-point favorites in Week 13. Johnson picked up 113 yards on the ground, but the Colts jumped out to a 21-3 lead and never looked back.
Nine of the last 10 meetings have finished 'under' the total since 2005, including both matchups last season. The Titans have covered three of the last four meetings at LP Field, even though the two teams have split these four contests. With the amount of defensive touchdowns the Colts are allowing this season, the 'over' is hitting at a constant rate, including five of six on the highway.
The favorites have cashed in on the NFL Network games this season by going 3-1 SU/ATS, including Philadelphia's 34-24 victory over Houston last week as eight-point 'chalk.' There has not been a home underdog on Thursday night this season, but the home 'dogs went 2-2 SU/ATS in 2009 as Cleveland (vs. Pittsburgh) and Denver (vs. N.Y. Giants) pulled off outright 'dog victories.
The Colts are listed as a three-point favorite across the board, but you would have to lay $1.15 or $1.20 'juice' on Indianapolis. The total is set at 45 with several 45 ½ numbers lingering around. The game will kick off at 8:30 PM EDT from LP Field and will be televised nationally on the NFL Network.
vegasinsider.com
Colts and Titans kick off NFL betting slate
By: Stephen Nover
The Indianapolis Colts-Tennessee Titans Thursday night matchup looks great on paper with marquee stars Peyton Manning, Chris Johnson and Randy Moss.
The reality is quite different, however:
* Manning has thrown 11 interceptions in the last three weeks. He’s never been picked off that many times during a three-week span in his 13-year career.
* Johnson has rushed for a mere 58 yards in his last two games.
* Moss has the grand total of five catches for 62 yards in four games with Tennessee.
* Indianapolis is 6-6. Tennessee is 5-7. Both teams are desperate. Neither is in good form.
Kickoff is 5:20 PT with the NFL Network televising. The Colts are minus 2½ with the ‘over/under’ at 46½.
The Colts have lost their last three games, including 38-35 to Dallas this past Sunday as 5 ½-point home favorites. The combined 73 points sailed ‘over’ the 47 ½-point total. The Cowboys intercepted Manning four times returning two for touchdowns.
Peyton ManningTennessee is in worse shape. The Titans have dropped five in a row. They’ve gone 13 consecutive quarters without scoring a touchdown. Their starting quarterback, Vince Young, is out for the year with a thumb injury and their offensive coordinator, Mike Heimerdinger, is battling cancer.
Rusty Smith and Kerry Collins have been terrible the last two weeks as Tennessee’s quarterbacks. Collins had a passer rating of 34.5, his worst start since 2005, in the Titans’ 17-6 home loss last Sunday to Jacksonville. The Titans fell as three-point home favorites with the combined 24 points going ‘under’ the 43 ½-point total.
Defenses are stacking the line to key on Johnson daring the Titans to throw. Johnson rushed for an NFL-high 2,006 yards last season, while setting a league-record with 2,509 combined yards.
Johnson has rushed for 1,026 yards this season, averaging 4.3 yards per rush. He averaged 5.6 yards per carry last year. Only twice in his last five games has Johnson rushed for more than 66 yards.
Johnson, though, could be in line for a big game. The Colts are down to 29th in run defense after surrendering 217 yards to Dallas even though Marion Barber didn’t play.
Moss has done nothing since coming to the Titans after being released by Minnesota. Tennessee has failed to break the 17-point barrier since Moss arrived four games ago.
Collins, who turns 38 at the end of the month, may be less rusty this week. He had missed the last two games with a calf injury before facing the Jaguars. There’s a good chance Collins will have Kenny Britt to throw to. Britt, who leads the Titans with seven touchdown receptions, has been out the last five weeks with a hamstring injury.
Manning has thrown for a league-leading 3,709 yards and 24 touchdowns, but clearly has been pressing due to breakdowns in pass protection, a non-existent ground attack averaging an NFL-worst 3.5 yards per carry and a soft defense that is without injured cornerbacks Kelvin Hayden and Jerraud Powers, who broke his arm in the loss to the Cowboys.
Joseph Addai, the Colts’ best running back, isn’t expected to play this week. He’s been out since Week 6 with a neck injury.
The Colts have won and covered the past three times they’ve met the Titans, outscoring them, 81-26, during this span. The teams square off again in Week 17.
Indianapolis is 13-6-1 ATS during its past 20 road contests. The Colts, though, have lost four of six road matchups this season falling to Houston, Jacksonville, Philadelphia and New England. Those teams combined to average 30.5 points against the Colts.
The weather forecast for the game is partly cloudy with temperatures in the 30s and five mph winds.
What Bettors Need to Know: Colts at Titans
By Ben Burns
WHAT’S ON THE LINE
Desperation often translates into motivation. And there is no question that the Titans and Colts are two desperate football teams, heading into Thursday night’s AFC South battle in Nashville.
The Titans (5-7, 5-7 ATS), losers of five straight, must win out and get some help to have a shot at the postseason. Tennessee has lost three in a row to the Colts (6-6, 6-5-1 ATS) and will have to go to battle with Kerry Collins at quarterback.
Yet, as scary as it sounds, Collins could be the most confident quarterback on the field Thursday.
PEYTON’S PROBLEMS
Peyton Manning is entrenched in the worst slump of his career. He has thrown 11 interceptions during the Colts’ current three-game slide, including four in each of their last two losses. Manning’s QB rating is a pedestrian 89.4 percent this season. Historically, though, Manning has torched the Titans, throwing 24 touchdowns with only nine interceptions.
Even with Manning’s struggles, the Colts still control their playoff fortunes. If they win out, they’re in. If not, the defending AFC champs could be taking January off.
FISHING FOR ANSWER
As bad as things have been with Indy’s offense, the Titans have been worse. They’ve managed just six points in their last two games and haven’t scored an offensive touchdown in 13 quarters. Yikes.
Even All-Pro running back Chris Johnson has been slowed. Johnson has done nothing in his last two outings, rushing for a total of 58 yards in losses at Houston and to Jacksonville.
Now, coach Jeff Fisher hopes Collins can jumpstart the offense and somehow get Randy Moss involved. Since joining the Titans, Moss has yet to catch a touchdown pass and has only five receptions in four games.
THE LINE
The Colts opened as around 2.5-point favorites. The line has been bumped up to -3 at most outlets.
Tennessee has covered the spread in 7 of its last 9 games as a home underdog.
THE TOTAL
The Colts are averaging 26.4 and allowing 24.2 points per game. The Titans are scoring 21.9 and allowing 19.6 points per game.
Indianapolis won both of last year’s meetings by scores of 27-17 and 31-9. The 16 meetings between the two teams have averaged 41.9 points
It’s going to be cold in Nashville, with temperatures in the low to mid-30s, but no precipitation is in the forecast.
The under has cashed in nine of the last 10 meetings between the two teams. The under is also 7-0 in the Titans’ last seven South Division games.
INJURY REPORT
The Titans are nicked up along the defensive line. Starting tackle Jason Jones (shoulder) and starting end Dave Ball (hip) were limited in practice this week. Backup tackles Tony Brown and Sen’Derrick Marks and backup end Jacob Ford also are battling injuries.
The Colts, who have struggled to run the ball this season, are expected to be without running back Joseph Addai (neck). Backup Donald Brown (ankle) missed Monday’s practice, but was a full participant Tuesday and is expected to start. Javarris James and new signee Dominic Rhodes also should see carries.
Tips and Trends
Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
COLTS: (-3.5, O/U 45) Much like their opponent tonight, Indianapolis is seeing their season slip away from them. The Colts have lost their past 3 games, with QB Peyton Manning being a major reason why. Manning has thrown 11 INT's in his past 3 games combined. The Colts are 6-6 SU and 6-5-1 ATS overall this year. Indianapolis is 2-4 SU and 3-2-1 ATS on the road this season. The Colts are 3-4-1 ATS as a favorite of less than a TD this year. Manning still leads a passing offense that is averaging more than 300 YPG, best in the NFL. Indianapolis is averaging 26.4 PPG this year, 4th best in the NFL. Defensively, the Colts have allowed more than 30 PTS to each of their past 3 opponents. The Colts are 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 road games against a team with a losing home record. Indianapolis is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games after scoring more than 30 points in their previous game. The Colts are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games following an ATS loss. Indianapolis is 10-3-1 ATS in their last 14 road games. The Colts are 3-1-1 ATS in their last 5 games played in Week 14. Indianapolis is 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games following a SU loss.
Colts are 7-0-1 ATS last 8 Thursday games.
Over is 5-1 last 6 games as a road favorite.
Key Injuries - WR Austin Collie (concussion) is questionable.
Projected Score: 24
TITANS: Tennessee has seen their season slip away from them, right before their eyes. The Titans have lost their past 5 games SU, and are just 5-7 SU for the year. Tennessee would have to win out to have any realistic chance of making the playoffs. The Titans are just 2-4 both SU and ATS this season. Tennessee is 2-3 ATS as the listed underdog this year. The Titans are really struggling offensively, as they've scored 17 PTS or fewer in each of their past 4 games. RB Chris Johnson has had a total of 58 YDS rushing in his past 2 games combined. For the season, Johnson has rushed for more than 1,000 YDS and 9 TD's this year. The Titans are still a sound defensive team, as they are allowing just 19.6 PPG this year, 8th fewest in the NFL. The Titans are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 Thursday games overall. Tennessee is 15-5 ATS in their last 20 games after scoring less than 15 points in their previous game. The Titans are 3-8 ATS in their last 11 games against the AFC South. Tennessee is 1-4 ATS in their last 5 home games overall. The Titans are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 games played in December. Tennessee is 0-4 ATS in their last 4 games following a SU loss. The Titans are 0-5 ATS in their last 5 games played on grass.
Titans are 7-2 ATS last 9 games as a home underdog.
Under is 6-0 last 6 games following a double-digit loss at home.
Key Injuries - LB David Thornton (hip) is probable.
Projected Score: 27 (SIDE of the Day)