Indianapolis, IN
Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash
The Indianapolis Colts (6-8) are prepped for an AFC South clash at home against the Tennessee Titans (3-11), with still plenty on the line. If the Colts win this game, their slim playoff hopes stay alive at 15%. However, a loss destroys every probability of this happening, dropping Shane Steichen’s troops to 1% (NFL.com).
What this means is Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and the offensive line must operate better than against the Denver Broncos, but the defense and Gus Bradley must carry over their performance at Mile High.
With Indy’s 15th game nearly here, these are the two X-Factors for the offense and defense (minus Richardson) most crucial to Indianapolis walking out of Lucas Oil with their seventh win on the season and with postseason aspirations still breathing.
Offense | Josh Downs
Colts’ second-year wide receiver Josh Downs has emerged as the most reliable target for Steichen’s offense throughout 2024. The former North Carolina Tarheel has reeled 56 catches on 86 targets for 626 receiving yards (11.2 average) and four touchdowns.
After being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Downs is ready to bounce back from his underwhelming three-catch, 32-yard performance at Mile High. The Titans are a gritty defense, and Downs will face off against Tennessee’s slot cornerback Roger McCreary. Downs dominated in the first meeting, catching seven of nine targets from Joe Flacco for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown.
Expect Richardson to look Downs’ way often, especially considering that Alec Pierce (concussion) won’t suit up for this one. While Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell will get their fair share of throws, Downs is the safety blanket and most reliable pass-catcher.
The Colts have to get Richardson into a rhythm throwing the football to help the young field general over the 50% completion hump; the best way to do that since there’s nearly no tight end receiving production is getting Downs the football. Expect at least eight-plus targets for Downs on Sunday.
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Defense | Laiatu Latu
After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, the Colts’ rookie 15th overall selection Laiatu Latu is finding his footing in the NFL. Along with Kwity Paye, the two have combined for 10 sacks, with Latu accounting for four. Latu also has Pro Football Focus grades of 72.7 overall, 72.9 pass-rush, and 64.3 run. While the last can improve, Latu is getting to where he needs to be under Charlie Partridge.
Against the Titans, Latu will have a chance to feast on a struggling Tennessee offensive line. The Titans’ protection ranks 28th in Pro Football Focus team grades for pass-blocking (56.6), so there’s areas where Latu can exploit.
While offensive tackle JC Latham has an acceptable pass-blocking grade (66.8), he’s second on Tennessee in pressures allowed (37) behind only fellow tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (39). Latu has a chance to wreck Mason Rudolph with constant pressures that might lead to opportunities for sacks. For the year, the former UCLA Bruin has 34 pressures and will have a clear path to success against Latham and Petit-Frere.
Expect Latu to have a field day when taking snaps against Tennessee on Sunday, with a great chance at a sack or more.
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Indianapolis, IN
Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts
The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff picture, but they find themselves in a big game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.
The Titans can play spoiler for the Colts, who need to win to hold onto their faint playoff hopes, by eliminating them from playoff contention in a win.
However, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco doesn’t believe that will end up being the case. He predicts that the Colts will pull out a 24-17 win against the Titans.
“The Colts are alive in the playoff race — barely. The Titans are done and might be making a quarterback change. The Colts did some good things in losing to the Broncos last week in a game they should have won. They bounce back here. Colts take it,” Prisco writes.
The Titans are certainly an underdog considering the fact that they are on the road and have won only three games all year long.
However, we have seen how difficult it can be for divisional opponents to sweep a season series, and the Colts came away with the win when the two teams met in Nashville during Week 6.
The Titans are coming into the game with a massive chip on their shoulder and a new source of energy with Mason Rudolph taking over as the starting quarterback after Will Levis was demoted earlier in the week.
The Titans have the ingredients necessary for a win against the Colts, but they still have to execute their plan in order to leave Indy on a happy flight home to Tennessee.
The Titans and Colts are set to kickoff at 12 noon CT tomorrow inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.
Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!
Indianapolis, IN
The Updated Guest List For WrestleCon Indianapolis
WrestleCon has an updated lineup of guests for their Indianapolis event during WWE Royal Rumble 2025 weekend.
You can check out the updated guest list below for the event, which takes place on January 31st and February 1st:
* Kurt Angle
* Sting
* Jeff & Matt Hardy
* Bill Alfonso
* Brock Anderson
* Arn Anderson
* Colt Cabana
* Matt Cardona
* Danhausen
* Tommy Dreamer
* Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley
* Hacksaw Duggan
* The Honkytonk Man
* Maki Itoh
* The IInspiration
* Marty Jannetty
* Jerry Lawler
* John Layfield
* Lex Luger
* ODB
* Rhino
* Matt Riddle
* Jake & Cheryl Roberts
* Ron Simmons
* Ricky Steamboat
* Maki Itoh
* Rob Van Dam
* Lisa Marie Varon
Indianapolis, IN
Analysts Say ‘No Reason’ to Believe Colts Will Beat Titans
The Indianapolis Colts are ready to defend Lucas Oil Stadium from their division-rival Tennessee Titans, with many believing the home team to have the advantage. However, the analysts at Bleacher Report aren’t as high on Shane Steichen and Anthony Richardson’s squad this week.
After giving a prediction to each NFL game for Week 16’s slate, Bleacher Report keeps it real on their reasoning; they believe Indy won’t get the job done, falling to 6-9 after a close 22-21 loss.
“At this point, there’s no reason to believe the Colts can win a game they should win. The team will likely do something indefensible to screw it up, like fumbling the ball before scoring a walk-in touchdown or turn a throwback pass into a pick-six, all with the squad’s playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
– Bleacher Report NFL Staff
The Colts’ 2024 season has been full of ups and downs, especially from quarterback Richardson. Richardson has had great moments this year as a passer but has struggled more often than not, with only three touchdown passes to four interceptions over his last four contests. If the Colts are to win this game, Richardson has to take care of the football.
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It might not be what Colts fans want to hear, but Bleacher Report isn’t wrong to say Indianapolis has a chance to be their worst enemy. After watching star running back Jonathan Taylor fumble a walk-in rushing score and AD Mitchell throw a baffling interception against the Denver Broncos, Indy must be better.
The Titans have three wins but fight their opposition underneath Brian Callahan. Their defense ranks second in the NFL in yards allowed per game (297.4) and possesses playmakers like defensive linemen Jeffery Simmons and T’Vondre Sweat, as well as linebackers Harold Landry III and Kenneth Murray Jr., so Richardson must be aware of the talent these three, and others, harness on the field.
The Colts (6-8) have the slimmest of playoff hopes that depend on other teams to become concrete, but none of it matters if Bleacher Report‘s prediction comes to fruition. Indy’s defense came to play last week, but the offense fell flat and has everything to lose in this divisional battle. Look for Steichen to be as ready as he’s been for any opponent on Sunday, as the season is on the line.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
Follow Horseshoe Huddle on Facebook and X, and subscribe on YouTube for multiple Colts live-stream podcasts per week.
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