INDIANAPOLIS – At stake for the Tennessee Titans in Week 17 is whether or not they will have the No. 1 overall pick in next year's draft.
A loss for the Titans and they will have the No. 1 overall pick next April, after they chose No. 2 overall in 2015.
When Tennessee comes to Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday afternoon, they will likely be without their top pick from last year.
An MCL sprain to Marcus Mariota forced him to miss Week 16's home finale. The injury hasn't overshadowed Mariota's more than a few moments as a rookie: 230-of-370, throwing for 2,818 yards, 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
The Colts are expected to see second-year quarterback Zach Mettenberger on Sunday. A sixth-round pick in 2014, Mettenberger would be making his 10th NFL start this week.
Mettenberger has started three games this season. In last week's 34-6 loss to the Texans, Mettenberger was 27-of-51 for 234 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
Tennessee's struggles were in all three phases in their home finale to Houston last week.
Interim head coach Mike Mularkey will coach his ninth game of the season on Sunday.
The Titans have had five different running backs carry the ball at least 16 times this season.
Tight end Delanie Walker has 85 catches on the season, nearly 50 more than the team's second leading pass catcher.
While Tennessee has really struggled in situational defense this year, they rank third in sacks per pass attempt.
The Colts have beaten the Titans eight straight times, including a comeback victory in Nashville back in Week Three of the season.
*2015 Record: *3-12, fourth in the AFC South.
*Head Coach: *Mike Mularkey, Titans interim head coach and fourth stint as an NFL head coach (2-6 this season and 18-38 overall in the regular season).
*2015 NFL Rankings: *Offense – Overall, 30th (317.1); Rushing, 28th (89.9); Passing, 24th (227.3). Defense – Overall, 13th (273.5); Rushing, 17th (104.0); Passing, 7th (169.5).
2015 Leading Passer: Sunday's expected starter-Zach Mettenberger (96-of-153 comp., 897 yards, 62.7 pct., 4 TDs, 6 INTs).
*2015 Leading Rusher: *Antonio Andrews (143 carries, 520 yards, 3 TDs).
*2015 Leading Receiver: *Delanie Walker (85 receptions, 994 yards, 6 TDs).
2015 Leading Sacker: Brian Orakpo and Jurrell Casey (7.0).
2015 Turnover Breakdown: Minus 14 (31st in the NFL).
2015 NFL Draft Results: After speculation on what the Titans would do with the No. 2 overall pick, they did indeed select Oregon's Marcus Mariota. In the second round, the Titans gave Mariota a potential weapon with wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham. The 6-5 Green-Beckham has caught 30 balls or 528 yards this season. In the fifth-round, the Titans chose running back David Cobb from Minnesota.
*2014 Review: *Ken Whisenhunt's first season with the Titans was a major struggle. The Titans, 26-10, season-opening win sparked early hope, but they would go on to lose 14 of their next 15 games in finishing the year at 2-14. Inconsistent play at the quarterback position led to the Titans snagging Oregon's signal caller Marcus Mariota in the draft.
Last time in Playoffs: 2008 season. Lost to the Baltimore Ravens, 13-10, in the Divisional Round of the playoffs.
*Last time in Super Bowl: *1999 season. Lost to the St. Louis Rams, 23-16, in Super Bowl XXXIV.
*Super Bowl Championships: *None.
2016 Pro Bowl Selections: None.
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