INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans played an unofficial playoff game to close out the regular season last year, with the Colts coming out on top. This season, Week 13 brings the teams' final regular season matchup of the year at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Although it's not quite as dire of a situation, a win at this point of the season will likely go a long way toward both teams' playoff chances.
The Colts will be coming off of a mini bye week after playing on the road against the division rival Houston Texans on Thursday Night Football the week before. Since their actual bye week comes early in Week 6, they'll be getting some much needed rest before the Titans kick off the remainder of their regular season schedule.
BROADCAST INFORMATION
- Sunday, Dec. 1, at 1 p.m. ET
- Indianapolis; Lucas Oil Stadium
- TV: CBS
ALL-TIME SERIES
- Colts lead, 33-15 (0-1 in the playoffs), and have won the last two matchups. The Colts have won 13 of the last 15 dating back to 2011.
- Last game — Week 17 of 2018. Colts won, 33-17.
*The two teams will also play in Week 2 of the 2019 regular season.
COACHING STAFF
Colts:
- HC Frank Reich
- OC Nick Sirianni
- DC Matt Eberflus
- STC Bubba Ventrone
Titans:
- HC Mike Vrabel
- OC Arthur Smith
- DC Dean Pees
- STC Craig Aukerman
KEY NEW FACES
Colts:
- DE/LB Ben Banogu
- WR Parris Campbell
- WR Devin Funchess
- DE Justin Houston
- CB Rock Ya-Sin
Titans:
- WR A.J. Brown
- OG Nate Davis
- WR Adam Humphries
- OG Rodger Saffold
- DT Jeffery Simmons
- ED Cameron Wake
OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES
Colts:
- Overall, this was a pretty quiet offseason for the Colts for a change. It was about building onto and shaping the current roster rather than shaking things up or making sweeping changes. Former starting receivers Ryan Grant and Dontrelle Inman both departed in free agency, and veterans Mike Mitchell and Al Woods also were not re-signed by the team. Offensive lineman Matt Slauson retired following a 10-year career.
Titans:
- For the fourth time in the last five years, the Titans will have a new offensive coordinator. After Matt LaFleur left to be the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, former Titans tight ends coach Arthur Smith now replaces him as coordinator.
- Normally a backup quarterback situation wouldn't be much to report on, but with Marcus Mariota's injury history (he hasn't played a full season in his four years), the Titans' offseason trade for former Miami Dolphins starter Ryan Tannehill is noteworthy. If Mariota can't stay healthy, then does Tannehill carve out a role?
- The Titans are also now without tight end Luke Stocker and safety Johnathan Cyprien, both of whom played significant roles at some point for Tennessee. Former edge defenders Derrick Morgan and Brian Orakpo both retired this offseason as well.
- Last but not least, after a 2018 second-half surge in which he averaged 146.3 rushing yards and 1.8 touchdowns over the last four weeks, Derrick Henry is expected to be the focal point of the Titans' offense.
EARLY STORYLINES/THINGS TO WATCH
- Take Care Of Business — Including this game, the Colts have five games remaining in the regular season, but it's one of just two remaining home games. After this matchup, the Colts have two NFC South matchups on the road against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints, respectively. They then return home for another NFC South contest against the Carolina Panthers, and then go on the road to finish the schedule in a tough matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars. It's important that the Colts capitalize and win this game against the Titans.
- Who Is Tennessee's Quarterback? — Marcus Mariota was knocked out of the teams' first matchup in 2018, and he was unable to play at all in their second game. Will the Colts face the Titans with their intended quarterback in tow?
- What's On The Line? — As previously mentioned, this is one of the Colts' final five games of the regular season, and they only have one more division game remaining after this one. If the AFC South standings are tight, then winning this game becomes critical.
INTRIGUING MATCHUPS
- Colts WR Parris Campbell vs. Titans CB Logan Ryan — As a rookie receiver, Campbell shouldn't be expected to be dominant yet, but speed is speed. If the Colts are utilizing Campbell's speed to run his patented slants and crossing routes, then he could be running Ryan ragged around the field.
- Colts Interior Offensive Line vs. Titans DE Jurrell Casey — Long considered among Tennessee's best players, Casey was unable to play against the Colts last year in the win-or-go-home Week 17 matchup. He should have an extra chip on his shoulder against the Colts this season. Luckily for Indy, they'll have Quenton Nelson, Mark Glowinski and Ryan Kelly to defend Casey on the interior.
- Colts CB Kenny Moore II vs. Titans WR A.J. Brown — Brown was considered by many to be the best receiver in this year's draft class, and the Titans were able to grab and pair him up with former top-five pick, Corey Davis. Although Adam Humphries could be in a similar role, it makes sense for Tennessee to move Brown around between the boundary and the slot (like he did at Ole Miss), which would mean a whole lot of Moore II in his grill.
*In the Week 2 preview, we also highlighted the matchups between Hilton against Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson, Colts offensive tackles Anthony Castonzo and Braden Smith against Titans pass rushers Cameron Wake and Harold Landry, Colts defensive end Justin Houston against Titans offensive tackle Taylor Lewan, and Colts cornerback Pierre Desir against Titans wide receiver Corey Davis.
RETURNING LEADERS
Colts:
- Passing — QB Andrew Luck (4,593 yards)
- Rushing — RB Marlon Mack (908 yards)
- Receiving — WR T.Y. Hilton (1,270 yards)
- Touchdowns — TE Eric Ebron (14)
- Tackles — LB Darius Leonard (163)
- Sacks — DL Denico Autry (9.0)
- Interceptions — CB Kenny Moore II (3)
Titans:
- Passing — QB Marcus Mariota (2,528 yards)
- Rushing — RB Derrick Henry (1,059 yards)
- Receiving — WR Corey Davis (891 yards)
- Touchdowns — RB Derrick Henry (12)
- Tackles — LB Wesley Woodyard (113)
- Sacks — DT Jurrell Casey (7.0)
- Interceptions — S Kevin Byard (4)
COMPARING 2018 STATS
Colts:
- Total offense — 7th (386.2 YPG)
- Scoring offense — 5th (27.1 PPG)
- Passing offense — 6th (278.8 YPG)
- Sacks allowed — 1st (18)
- Running offense — 20th (107.4 YPG)
- Third down offense — 1st (48.6%)
- Red zone offense — 5th (67.1%)
- Total defense — 11th (339.4 YPG)
- Scoring defense — 10th (21.5 PPG)
- Passing defense — 16th (237.8 YPG)
- Sacks — Tied-19th (38)
- Running defense — 8th (101.6 YPG)
- Third down defense — 23rd (41%)
- Red zone defense — 11th (55.1%)
- Time of possession — 18th (30:05)
- Turnover differential — Tied-13th (2)
Titans:
- Total offense — 25th (312.4 YPG)
- Scoring offense — 27th (19.4 PPG)
- Passing offense — 29th (185.9 YPG)
- Sacks allowed — Tied-22nd (47)
- Running offense — 7th (126.4 YPG)
- Third down offense — 15th (40%)
- Red zone offense — 23rd (53.2%)
- Total defense — 8th (333.4 YPG)
- Scoring defense — 3rd (18.9 PPG)
- Passing defense — 6th (216.9 YPG)
- Sacks — Tied-16th (39)
- Running defense — 18th (116.4 YPG)
- Third down defense — 10th (37%)
- Red zone defense — 2nd (44.7%)
- Time of possession — 21st (29:47)
- Turnover differential — 21st (-1)
NOTES
- Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has never lost to the Titans, holding a record of 11-0 after the Colts swept the Titans in 2018. He is the only quarterback in NFL history to boast an 11-0 record against a single opponent.
