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2018 Colts Preview: Colts/Titans, Week 11

The Indianapolis Colts host the Tennessee Titans this Sunday in a critical division showdown. Plus, it is Reggie Wayne’s day to be inducted into the Ring of Honor.

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INDIANAPOLIS — This Sunday is a huge game for the Indianapolis Colts (4-5) as they play host to the Tennessee Titans (5-4).

For one, it is an opportunity for the Colts to get to .500, beat another division opponent and claim possession of second place in the AFC South, all while inching closer to the division-leading Houston Texans (6-3).

Sunday is also the day that the Colts will induct legendary wide receiver Reggie Wayne into the Ring of Honor.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

  • Sunday, Nov. 18 at 1 p.m. ET
  • Indianapolis; Lucas Oil Stadium
  • TV: CBS — Andrew Catalon (play-by-play) and James Lofton (color)
  • To find out what games will be on in your area, check here
  • Radio: WFNI "1070 The Fan" and WLHK "HANK FM" — Matt Taylor (play-by-play), Jim Sorgi (color) and Barry Krauss (sideline) | ESPN Radio — Mark Kestecher (play-by-play) and Bill Polian (color)

ALL-TIME SERIES

  • Colts lead, 31-15 (0-1 in the playoffs). The Colts are 9-1 against the Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Titans have won the last two dating back to 2017.
  • Last game — Week 12 of 2017. The Titans won, 20-16.

Titans @ Colts 2017 - HIGHLIGHTS

COACHING STAFF

Colts:

  • HC Frank Reich
  • OC Nick Sirianni
  • DC Matt Eberflus
  • STC Bubba Ventrone

Titans:

  • HC Mike Vrabel
  • OC Matt LaFleur
  • DC Dean Pees
  • STC Craig Aukerman

LAST WEEK

Colts:

  • Won vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6), 29-26

Titans:

  • Won vs. New England Patriots (7-3), 34-10

INJURY UPDATE

Colts:

  • CB Nate Hairston (ankle): QUESTIONABLE — Limited participant Wednesday, did not practice Thursday and Friday
  • TE Ryan Hewitt (ankle): OUT — Did not practice Wednesday, limited participant Thursday, did not practice Friday
  • S Malik Hooker (hip): QUESTIONABLE — Did not practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
  • CB D.J. Killings (calf): OUT — Limited participant Thursday, did not practice Friday
  • TE Erik Swoope (knee): OUT — Did not practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

Titans:

  • RB David Fluellen (knee): OUT — Did not practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
  • WR Tajae Sharpe (ankle): QUESTIONABLE — Limited participant Friday
  • OG Quinton Spain (ankle): QUESTIONABLE — Did not practice Wednesday, limited participant Thursday and Friday
  • WR Taywan Taylor (foot): QUESTIONABLE — Did not practice Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

STORYLINES/THINGS TO WATCH

  • Gaining Ground In The AFC South — The Colts are currently third in the AFC South; one game back from the Titans and two games back from the Texans. They need to start stacking these division wins if they're going to come for the AFC South crown and a subsequent playoff berth.
  • Andrew Luck Vs. Marcus Mariota Continues — Believe it or not, this is only the fourth time that division foes Andrew Luck and Marcus Mariota have faced off against each other. With Luck back after missing half of 2015 and all of 2017, this QB showdown can continue.
  • Don't Let Derrick Henry Beat You — The last two times the Colts have seen Titans running back Derrick Henry, it hasn't gone well. He has totaled 234 yards on 34 touches and one touchdown. The touchdown was the nail in the Colts' coffin in Week 6 last year, scoring on a 72-yard run with 47 seconds remaining and already up by a touchdown.
  • Reggie's Day — It's a big day for the Colts organization as they enshrine one of its greatest players into the Ring of Honor: Reggie Wayne. The Colts are 8-5 in games in which they host a Ring of Honor induction ceremony.

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

  • Colts OG Quenton Nelson vs. Titans DT Jurrell Casey — Titans Pro-Bowl defensive tackle Casey has given the Colts trouble in the past, but the Colts' new interior line of Nelson, Ryan Kelly and Mark Glowinski has played lights out for the past month.
  • Colts OT Braden Smith vs. Titans ED Harold Landry — Landry has the potential to become one of the league's bright young pass rushers, but he'll have a tough test coming off the edge against one of the league's bright young right tackles in Smith.
  • Colts DEs Kemoko Turay/Tyquan Lewis vs. Titans LT Taylor Lewan — Sunday could be a Big Ten battle off the Colts' right side, pitting Turay (Rutgers) and Lewis (Ohio State) against Titans left tackle Lewan (Michigan). Turay missed last week's game but is likely back this week. This will be a nice test for the Colts' pair of rookie pass rushers as they go up against one of the league's top left tackles.
  • Colts CB Pierre Desir vs. Titans WR Corey Davis — Desir has the length and speed to match up with Davis, the Titans' top receiver. Davis is coming off an impressive performance against the New England Patriots last week where he put up 125 yards and a touchdown.

REFEREE ASSIGNMENT

BETTING LINE

LEADERS

Colts:

  • Passing — QB Andrew Luck (2,472 yards)
  • Rushing — RB Marlon Mack (410 yards)
  • Receiving — TE Eric Ebron (463 yards)
  • Touchdowns — TE Eric Ebron (10)
  • Tackles — LB Darius Leonard (97)
  • Sacks — DL Margus Hunt, LB Darius Leonard, DE Jabaal Sheard (4.0)
  • Interceptions — Kenny Moore II (2)

Titans:

  • Passing — QB Marcus Mariota (1,498 yards)
  • Rushing — RB Dion Lewis (396 yards)
  • Receiving — WR Corey Davis (576 yards)
  • Touchdowns — RB Derrick Henry (4)
  • Tackles — LB Wesley Woodyard (57)
  • Sacks — LB Jayon Brown (4.5)
  • Interceptions — S Kevin Byard, CB Adoree' Jackson (2)

COMPARING 2018 STATS

Colts:

  • Total offense — 9th (379.8 YPG))
  • Scoring offense — 6th (28.9 PPG)
  • Passing offense — 12th (266.2 YPG)
  • Running offense — 15th (113.6 YPG)
  • Third down offense — 1st (52%)
  • Red zone offense — 10th (66.7%)
  • Total defense — 23rd (376.2 YPG)
  • Scoring defense — 26th (26.6 PPG)
  • Passing defense — 24th (268.4 YPG)
  • Sacks — 23rd (21)
  • Running defense — 14th (107.8 YPG)
  • Third down defense — 27th (44%)
  • Red zone defense — 10th (51.7%)
  • Time of possession — 28th (28:48)
  • Turnover differential — 12th (+3)

Titans:

  • Total offense — 30th (299.0 YPG))
  • Scoring offense — 28th (18.7 PPG)
  • Passing offense — 30th (184.6 YPG)
  • Running offense — 14th (114.4 YPG)
  • Third down offense — 10th (43%)
  • Red zone offense — 19th (55.6%)
  • Total defense — 6th (328.0 YPG)
  • Scoring defense — 1st (16.8 PPG)
  • Passing defense — 6th (228.2 YPG)
  • Sacks — 19th (23)
  • Running defense — 10th (99.8 YPG)
  • Third down defense — 15th (39%)
  • Red zone defense — 1st (34.8%)
  • Time of possession — 11th (31:04)
  • Turnover differential — 19th (-1)

NOTES AND QUOTES

  • This week, the Colts made the following moves: elevated cornerback D.J. Killings to the active roster from the practice squad, placed defensive end Carroll Phillips on the Injured Reserve list, signed cornerback Jalen Collins, wide receiver Steve Ishmael and offensive tackle Rees Odhiambo to the practice squad and released offensive tackle De'Ondre Wesley from the practice sqaud.
  • According to Colts owner Jim Irsay, former Colts tight end Dallas Clark will bang the anvil before kickoff.
  • With one 300-yard passing game, Luck will pass Peyton Manning, Matt Ryan, Matthew Stafford and Kurt Warner for the second-most 300-yard passing games in a player's first seven seasons in NFL history. Luck also needs one passing touchdown to pass Cam Newton (158) for the ninth-most passing touchdowns in a player's first seven seasons in NFL history, and three touchdown passes to tie Jim Kelly (161) for the eighth-most. With one rushing touchdown, Luck will pass Bert Jones (14) for the second-most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback in franchise history.
  • Wide receiver T.Y. Hilton needs one 150-yard game to tie Marvin Harrison (11) for the most such games in franchise history.
  • Colts kicker Adam Vinatieri needs one regular season win to pass George Blanda (209) for the most regular season wins in NFL history. Vinatieri also needs three made field goals from 40-49 yards to pass Gary Anderson (161) for the most from that distance in NFL history. With one made field goal from 50-plus yards, Vinatieri will tie Phil Dawson and John Kasay (42) for the fourth-most from that distance in NFL history.
  • Colts head coach Frank Reich on the opportunity this game presents: "Yeah, it's a big step against a good opponent. So, we really are locking in one week at a time digging ourselves out of this hole one week at a time. This game is probably the game where we win this – now, we are up. Our eyes are out of the hole if we can get it together and win this game and then maybe we can get vision on some things. Still take the same approach, but I think this is a very important week."
  • Reich on Wednesday regarding offensive lineman Joe Haeg, who is currently on Injured Reserve: "Okay, just one quick update – you'll see Joe Haeg out at practice today. (We are) activating him, obviously it's 21 days until we can do anything, but he'll be out there practicing and then we can consider bringing him up after the Miami game."
  • Colts defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus on what the Titans have done to turn their offense around recently: "Yeah, I just think it's their playmakers making plays. I mean the quarterback – he's making plays and he's making disciplined decisions. He throws the ball well in all parts of the field – outside the numbers, in the in-cut area and the check down area. He does a really good job with that. The receiver, (Corey) Davis, 84, does a great job. He's an electric player. I think that if you look at all the big plays they all go through him or 33, (Dion) Lewis. They've got the one-two punch with the backs. They've got (Derrick) Henry and Lewis there. I just think those guys are doing a really good job. I think the line (and) having those two first-rounders at the tackles, they're good players. They're good players and they are doing a good job of running the football. If you look at their last three games, they've ran the ball over 30 times every single time and they had high success. Maybe at the Dallas game it was 25 times, but it was 425 yards and over 130 yards the other two times. So they are a team that wants to set the offense up by the run. They like to run it early and like to run it often. It sets up their play-pass. All their stuff down the field has been out of play-pass and we are going to have our challenge with that. They've done all those things at a high rate. They've controlled the ball – time of possession – they've done that over the last three games and that's probably the same plan they are going to be using here this week. So, we've got our challenges."
  • Colts offensive coordinator Nick Sirianni on what makes the Titans' defense so effective: "I think they just have good playmakers at every level. I think that's pretty common of the combination of good playmakers at every level meaning the d-line, the pass rushers, the linebackers, the secondary and then also being well coached. I know they are very well coached. Dean Pees has been a defensive coordinator in the NFL for a long time and he's a heck of a coach. I know every time we have went against a defense that he had coached you've got to be ready for everything because he can scheme you up. Obviously, just Jurrell Casey in the middle is one of the better interior defensive linemen that we have in the NFL. The secondary has veterans and Adoree' Jackson is a young player that's playing really good football."
  • Luck on his favorite Reggie Wayne moment: "Favorite Reggie Wayne memory – a lot of great Reggie Wayne memories. He was a great teammate. I learned a lot from him. He was a great leader in this locker room for a lot of us. You look around and you realize there are not that many guys that got to play with him. So I certainly consider myself very fortunate that I did. On the field, the Green Bay Packers game my rookie year he made some unbelievable plays. I think he had over 200 yards receiving, double-digit catches. He caught one, sort of tipped it to himself one-handed. He was wearing the orange gloves in honor of Chuck (Pagano). That game certainly stands out. Some other off the field memories that I will keep between us."
  • Hilton on his favorite Wayne moment: "It means a lot. We talk probably every other day. I know it's special. He means a lot to the city, to community and to this organization. The one thing he helped me with was breaking down film, what to look for in a defense, how to break down guys and just execute at the main point, catching and making sure I am spending time on the JUGS and knowing the playbook."

NEXT WEEK

Colts:

  • Miami Dolphins (5-5) (home)

Titans:

  • Houston Texans (6-3) (away)

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