by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Oct 19, 2022
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Venue: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Titans -2.5
FanDuel: Titans -2.5
BetMGM: Titans -3
Caesars: Titans -2.5
Season record
Colts: 3-2-1
Titans: 3-2
We're a quarter of the way through the NFL and the one thing we can say for sure is that nothing's for sure (shoutout to all the WCW fans who got that reference). And so far, it's been a fun season to be had by all with just one undefeated team left. Will this week be the week the Eagles fall? You'll have to see what our champion handicappers think of such an idea, especially our own Wayne Root who is 30-13-1 through the first five weeks of the NFL season. What does Wayne have in store for a fun week ahead? Make sure you're checking our Best Bets page at bigal.com to find out who are peeps are taking on the action this week.
Colts - Titans preview, analysis and prediction
Last week
Colts: won 34-27 vs. Jaguars
Titans: BYE (won 21-17 at Commanders previous week)
Just when you think the Indianapolis Colts are going away, and the same goes for the Tennessee Titans, perhaps we’ve the reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. Why, just look at Indianapolis, for example? They were on the downside looking in heading into an important matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars for division supremacy, and the Colts reminded everyone that there is still a lot of football to be played and the Jaguars are still nowhere near contention. To be fair, neither of these teams might be seen in the same light, either. But alas, this is for first place in the AFC South, for better or for worse, and Sunday’s game should be an interesting matchup to see where everyone is.
Just when you think the Indianapolis Colts are going away, and the same goes for the Tennessee Titans, perhaps we’ve the reports of their demise are greatly exaggerated. Why, just look at Indianapolis, for example? They were on the downside looking in heading into an important matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars for division supremacy, and the Colts reminded everyone that there is still a lot of football to be played and the Jaguars are still nowhere near contention. To be fair, neither of these teams might be seen in the same light, either. But alas, this is for first place in the AFC South, for better or for worse, and Sunday’s game should be an interesting matchup to see where everyone is.
The Colts are coming into this game after a career-high 58 attempts from Matt Ryan, but him throwing for 389 yards and three touchdowns without an interception meant it was a day from hell for the Jacksonville secondary. With a banged-up Jonathan Taylor, the Colts had to take advantage in any way they could and did so by picking on a young Jacksonville secondary. Ryan hit his 30th career game with 350-plus passing yards, passing Philip Rivers for fifth most all-time. If Taylor returns this week, and that’s a big if, one could only hope that will get some much-needed balance for this team. But that 34-27 win over the Jags was a big performance in reminding everyone that Ryan can still sling the rock when given a chance.
"Matt was hot," Colts coach Frank Reich said. "So I slipped in a run every now and then, but I didn't want to take it out of Matt's hands."
Good call from the head coach, and so far, it’s been working. Ryan is now the seventh best passer in terms of yards in NFL history and he’s still looking for that eluded ring. It might not come in Indianapolis, but at some point they’re going to need to show they can compete in the AFC. A healthy team will help with those matters.
But here come the Titans, fresh off three straight wins after starting 0-2 with losses to the Giants and Bills. Tennessee is coming off its bye, but had a 21-17 win over the Washington Commanders that was highlighted by the fact Carson Wentz did some Carson Wentz things, throwing an interception on the final play of the game. Ryan Tannehill was pedestrian at best, throwing for 181 yards and a touchdown, but it was more the return of Derrick Henry carrying the ball 28 times for 102 yards and two touchdowns.
"We never panic," Titans linebacker David Long Jr. said moments after making that game-saving interception. "This is what we do it for. This is what you dream of. Don't panic. Somebody made a play, and we walk off the field. It just ended up being me."
That week off has prepared the Titans well, opening as 3-point favorites as most books with the money heading toward the Colts at some point. The over has looked good in recent years, going 61-37 in October games for Tennessee over the last three years. For such a ponderance, they’re going to need similar production.
Prediction
If this comes down to a time of possession game and the running backs take over, right now, I like Tennessee’s healthy star over the questionable status of the reigning rushing champion. Titans by 8
Betting trends
Colts are 13-7 ATS on the road the past three years.
Colts are 9-11 ATS after winning three of four the last three seasons.
Colts are 13-6 ATS off playing at home the past three years.
Titans are 8-2 ATS in October the past three years.
Titans are 8-5 ATS against division opponents the past three years.
Statistical leaders
Colts:
Passing: Matt Ryan -- 1,765 yards, 8 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Jonathan Taylor -- 328 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Michael Pittman Jr. -- 417 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Two tied -- 3 sacks
Titans:
Passing: Ryan Tannehill -- 965 yards, 6 TD, 3 INT
Rushing: Derrick Henry -- 408 yards, 5 TD
Receiving: Robert Woods -- 204 yards, 1 TD
Defense: Two tied -- 4 sacks
Don't miss our champion handicappers' free picks and expert football picks today. And if you enjoyed this Indianapolis Colts - Tennessee Titans prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily NFL projections and previews.
Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
