2018 Colts Season Preview: Colts/Titans, Week 17

An early look at the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans Week 17 regular season matchup.

Jul 26, 2018 at 11:00 AM

Jake Arthur

Colts.com Contributor

INDIANAPOLIS — This is the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans' second and final matchup of the regular season. The two sides squared off in Week 11, and they now may find themselves playing for a playoff spot heading into the final week of the season.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

Sunday, Dec. 30, at 1 p.m. ET
Nashville (Nissan Stadium)
TV — CBS

ALL-TIME SERIES

Colts lead, 31-15. Titans have won the last two (both in 2017). Colts had won 16 of the prior 17 matchups going back to 2008.
Last game — Week 12 of 2017. Titans won, 20-16. At this point, the two teams will have also played in Week 11.

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

KEY NEW FACES

Colts:

OG Quenton Nelson
TE Eric Ebron
WR Ryan Grant
RB Nyheim Hines
DT/DE Denico Autry

Titans:

RB Dion Lewis
CB Malcolm Butler
LB Rashaan Evans
OLB Harold Landry
NT Bennie Logan

OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Colts:

The Colts got an almost entirely new coaching staff this offseason, and general manager Chris Ballard went into his second offseason of flipping the roster.
With the coaching change came a switch to a 4-3, Tampa-2 style defense from the hybrid 3-4 defense.
From 2017 to 2018, there could be as many as a dozen or more new starters.
One of those new starters will be at running back. Frank Gore is now on the Miami Dolphins, so a new face will be stepping into the starting tailback spot.

Titans:

Like the Colts, the Titans are working in a brand new coaching staff led by first-time head coach Mike Vrabel.
A couple of familiar faces are no longer with the team as running back DeMarco Murray and linebacker Avery Williamson were replaced with Dion Lewis and Rashaan Evans, respectively.
The Titans unfortunately have not gotten their return on investment in former second-round pick Kevin Dodd. However, they did draft outside linebacker Harold Landry this spring, who may have been the best pure pass-rusher in the draft.
Tennessee fortified their pass defense with the addition of cornerback Malcolm Butler. With Adoree' Jackson heading into year two, their secondary could now be a strong point. Adding Landry to go with edge rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan certainly helps the cause as well.

EARLY STORYLINES

For All The AFC South Marbles? — The AFC South always seems to come down to the wire on Week 17. The Colts and Titans could very well be in contention for the AFC South title or a wild card spot. Drama like this is one reason why teams finish the year against division rivals now.
The Biggest Chapter Of Luck Vs. Mariota — Luck was the No. 1-overall pick in 2012, and Mariota No. 2-overall in 2015. Luck has experienced some success so far, and expectations have always been high for Mariota. This will be especially ring true if both are having good seasons to this point and/or if a playoff spot is on the line, but regardless, this matchup is worth tuning into.

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

Colts Pass Catchers vs. Titans Secondary — The Titans look to have a deep secondary featuring Malcolm Butler, Adoree' Jackson and Logan Ryan at cornerback with Kevin Byard, Johnathan Cyprien and Kendrick Lewis at safety. The Colts' group of T.Y. Hilton, Jack Doyle, Eric Ebron, Ryan Grant, Chester Rogers and Co. is a good matchup for that group.
Colts Offensive Line vs. Titans Front Seven — The Colts' new-look offensive line faces the Titans' already-solid front seven that added Rashaan Evans and Harold Landry this offseason.
Colts Front Seven vs. Titans Run Game — Derrick Henry and Dion Lewis is a great RB duo who will go up against the Colts' new front seven. Will the Colts' speedy new linebacker corps be able to swarm the Titans' run game?