Sitting at 6-2 in this wacky 2020 NFL season, the Tennessee Titans are currently the betting favorites to win the AFC South. Winning a division is something the Titans haven’t done in 12 years. It finally feels like the year. But there’s one reason why I don’t yet have confidence in this becoming reality: the stinkin’ Indianapolis Colts.
They’ve been a thorn in the Titans’ side for years, no matter who is under center: Peyton Manning, Andrew Luck or, yes, Dan Orlovsky (see: 2011). Just when the Titans think they’ve turned the corner as a team, the Colts are there to remind them who their daddy is. Every time… almost.
Justin McCareins’ muffed punt in 2003. The 0-13, Orlovsky-led Colts beating the playoff-hungry Titans in 2011. Every game pitting Marcus Mariota versus Andrew Luck. Blaine Gabbert, Sunday Night Football, Week 17, 2018.
While there have been some good moments along the way (Rob Bironas’ game-winning 60-yard field goal in 2006; Tye Smith’s blocked punt return in 2019), the Colts have historically had the Titans’ number.
Consider these records: the Titans are 4-19 against the Colts since Chris Johnson and LenDale White smashed-and-dashed their way to statement win on Monday Night Football in 2008. At one point during this current stretch, the Colts won a ridiculous 14-of-15. When the Titans have welcomed the Colts to Nashville, they are a frustrating 5-13 all time on home field.
It’s fair to say the Titans don’t have a good history against the Colts at Nissan Stadium, the site of Thursday’s primetime showdown between the two AFC South frontrunners. These two teams will play twice in an 18-day span (Nov. 12 in Nashville; Nov. 29 in Indianapolis). On Nov. 22, the Titans visit Baltimore and the Colts host Green Bay. The next three weeks are going to tell us a lot about both teams.
While the Colts have an aging quarterback, the rest of their roster is well-built and rock-solid. They have a really good defense and an offensive line that can dominate their opponents. Sounds like Titans teams from the past.
This Titans group led by Mike Vrabel has a decided edge under center with Ryan Tannehill and an offense that can put up a lot of points with studs at running back and receiver. Sounds like Colts teams from the past.
The game we watch Thursday night (and in Week 12) could easily resemble the one that took place Sunday: low-scoring and ugly in nature. It doesn’t quite cater to the Titans’ style of play thus far this season, but these are the types of games they need to win if they want to be considered a threat in the AFC and the team to beat in the division.
Especially against these Colts.
The Titans have had opportunities similar to this one against this team in years past, but so many times have effectively pooped their pants.
Just when you think the Titans have the Colts right where they want them… the Titans snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Just when you think this might be “the year” for the Two Tone Blue to right the ship against Indy… Peyton Manning finds Reggie Wayne or Dallas Clark for a back-breaker; Andrew Luck finds T.Y. Hilton or Jack freakin’ Doyle for a gut punch.
The Titans have an opportunity in these next two head-to-head matchups to re-write their porous history against their nemesis five hours north on I-65.
Lose both games, and you’re unlikely to host your first home playoff game since 2008 – and it’ll be the same ol’ song and dance against, ugh, the Colts.
Win both games, and you’re in business to win that elusive division crown – and it’ll make many Titans fans like myself forget (for now) about the old debacles, failures and nightmares against this division rival.
It’s a crucial point in the season, where either team can separate themselves from one another as they each try to figure out what kind of team they really have. Super Bowl contender? Pretender? Division winner? Bubble playoff team?
Perhaps most importantly, it’s time for the Titans to prove they aren’t the redheaded step-child to a franchise that has been its daddy for way too long.
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