Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans Picks and Predictions December 22nd 2024

Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans December 22nd 2024

The Colts are favored at -218 on the money line as they host the Titans at 1:00 ET on Sunday, December 22nd at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Titans are +180 on the money line, and the Colts are -4.5 point favorites. The over/under line is set at 42.5 points. This week 16 AFC South matchup is being televised on CBS.

Register Here!

Tennessee vs. Indianapolis Key Information

• Teams: Titans at Colts
• Where: Lucas Oil Stadium Indianapolis
• Date: Sunday, December 22nd
• Betting Odds IND -218 | TEN +180 O/U 42.5

The Titans Can Win If…

The Titans are now on a three-game losing streak, dropping their record to 3-11. After a week 12 win over the Texans, Tennessee has followed that up with losses to the Commanders, Jaguars, and Bengals. In week 15, the Titans were unable to take advantage of playing at home, losing 37-27 to Cincinnati. Going into the game, they were 6-point underdogs but couldn’t cover the spread. The 64 combined points easily went over the 46-point line.

Heading into week 16, our power rankings have the Titans at 28th, and they have a 0.0% chance of making the playoffs. In the AFC South, they are 4th with a 1-2 division record. Against the spread, Tennessee is 2-12, with both of their wins coming as underdogs. Their O/U record is 8-5-1, with their games averaging 45.2 points.

The Titans enter week 16 ranked 30th in our offensive power rankings. They are 24th in the NFL in points per game, averaging 18.1, and 26th in passing yards with 190.6 per game. On the ground, they are 18th in rushing yards, with 110.4 per game, on 26.1 attempts per contest. Tennessee has been strong in the red zone, converting 39.5% of their trips, which ranks 8th in the league. They also average 5.9 points in the first quarter, placing them 7th in the NFL.

In week 15, the Titans scored 27 points, with 13 coming in the 4th quarter. Mason Rudolph threw for 209 yards and 2 touchdowns, completing 21 of 26 passes. Tony Pollard rushed for 45 yards on 17 carries, while Tyjae Spears led the team with 87 receiving yards on 6 catches. Tennessee converted all 4 of their red zone opportunities and went 5 of 8 on 3rd down.

In their 37-27 loss to the Bengals, the Titans’ defense struggled on third downs, allowing a 76.9% conversion rate. They gave up 269 passing yards on 26 completions, with three passing touchdowns allowed. Despite this, they did force two interceptions. The Titans allowed the Bengals to convert 70.3% of their third downs.

Tennessee’s defense managed just one sack in the game and allowed the Bengals to score on 50% of their red zone trips. They did defend the run fairly well, giving up 101 yards on 26 attempts (3.9 yards per attempt).

• Through their last three regular season contests, Tennessee has a record of 0-3. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 0-3 to go along with an over-under mark of 2-1.
• The Titans have gone 2-8 over their last ten regular season games. In these matchups, they ended with an ATS record of 1-9 and an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Colts Can Win If…

Heading into week 16, the Colts sit at 6-8, putting them 2nd in the AFC South. They have a 1-3 division record and are 5-5 in conference play. Our projections give them an 8.7% chance of making the playoffs, but they have no shot at winning the division. In our power rankings, the Colts are 23rd.

Indy is 8-6 against the spread this season, but they’ve failed to cover in three straight games. Their O/U record is 7-7, with the over hitting in their last two games. This includes their week 15 matchup with the Broncos, where the teams combined for 44 points, narrowly surpassing the 43.5-point line.

Heading into week 16, the Colts rank 28th in our offensive power rankings. They are 20th in the NFL in both points per game (20) and yards per game (311.4). Indianapolis has leaned on their run game, ranking 13th in rushing attempts and 12th in rushing yards per game (120.9). On 3rd down, they are 24th in the league, converting 35.8% of their attempts, but they are 12th in red zone conversion percentage.

Anthony Richardson struggled in week 15, throwing for 172 yards on 17/38 passing, with 2 interceptions and no touchdowns. Jonathan Taylor led the Colts with 107 rushing yards on 22 carries, while Michael Pittman Jr. had 6 catches for 58 yards.

In their 31-13 loss to the Broncos, the Colts’ defense did manage to force three interceptions. However, they struggled to defend the pass, giving up 121 yards on just 20 completions, with Denver still managing three passing touchdowns. The Colts’ offense didn’t help them out much, as they managed just 193 total yards, and the defense was on the field for 35:13 minutes of the game. Indianapolis also struggled to generate pressure, losing the QB hit differential by -9.

The Colts’ run defense was a bright spot, allowing just 72 yards on 27 attempts, holding the Broncos to 2.7 yards per attempt. Despite this, the Colts still allowed the Broncos to convert 50% of their red zone trips into touchdowns. Additionally, the Colts only managed one sack in the game.

• The Colts have gone 1-2 over their last three regular season games. This includes going 1-2 vs. the spread along with an over-under mark of 1-2.
• Across Indianapolis’s last ten regular season games, their record sits at 6-4. Their record against the spread in this stretch is 6-4 to go along with an over-under mark of 6-4.

The Lean

Our pick vs. the spread is to take the Colts to cover as home favorites in this week 16 matchup between the Titans and Colts. The point spread lines have the Colts at -4.5, and we have them winning 25-16.

For the over/under, with the line sitting at 42.5 points, we have a projected combined score of 41 points, making the under our recommended pick for this matchup.

Best NFL Expert Handicappers

As the Indianapolis Colts cling to slim playoff hopes, their AFC South rivals, the Tennessee Titans, are looking to dash those dreams with a pivotal quarterback change. Sunday’s matchup in Indianapolis promises to be a showdown defined by strategic adjustments, player development, and injuries affecting both teams.

Titans Turn to Mason Rudolph for Stability

Tennessee head coach Brian Callahan has decided to bench second-year quarterback Will Levis in favor of veteran Mason Rudolph. Rudolph will start his second stint as the Titans’ QB1 after previously stepping in earlier this season when Levis was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

The change comes on the heels of Levis’s disastrous performance in a 37-27 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. Levis threw three interceptions, lost a fumble, and was pulled after committing a costly pick-six.

“I felt like it was the best thing for our team to see what Mason can bring offensively,” Callahan explained. “Situationally, in the season, I felt like we needed a spark at the quarterback position.”

Rudolph, who has completed 97 of 154 passes for 1,015 yards, six touchdowns, and five interceptions this season, is eager to make the most of his opportunity.

“I’m thankful to get another chance to go out there and play with this team,” Rudolph said. “Will and I support each other no matter what, and I know what it feels like to have the switch made.”

Colts and Anthony Richardson’s Development Woes

The Colts (6-8) are no strangers to quarterback turbulence. After briefly benching second-year QB Anthony Richardson earlier this season, the team reinstated him, hoping for improved consistency. Richardson delivered a comeback win against the New York Jets but has since struggled, culminating in a lackluster performance in a 31-13 loss to the Denver Broncos.

Richardson, who has started only 14 NFL games due to injuries, completed just 17 of 38 passes for 172 yards and two interceptions against Denver. The young QB has thrown seven touchdowns against 11 interceptions this season, with a dismal 47% completion rate.

“You’ve got to make great decisions at all times,” Richardson admitted. “Whether it’s handling the ball or reading coverage, it’s all about execution.”

Key Injuries Could Shape the Game

Both teams face significant injury concerns heading into Sunday’s matchup:

• Colts:
  • Wide receivers Alec Pierce (concussion), Michael Pittman Jr. (back), and Ashton Dulin (ankle) are all questionable.
  • Tight end Mo Alie-Cox (hip) and kicker Matt Gay (back) also missed practice.
  • Cornerback JuJu Brents (knee) practiced in a limited capacity.
• Titans:
  • Wide receiver Tyler Boyd (foot) and linebacker Kenneth Murray (hamstring) remain sidelined.
  • Key players like running back Tony Pollard (ankles) and defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons (rest) will need careful management.

Playoff Stakes and Series History

The Colts must win their remaining games and hope the Los Angeles Chargers drop two of their final three contests to keep their playoff hopes alive. Indianapolis leads the all-time series against Tennessee 38-22, including a narrow 20-17 win in their October meeting in Nashville.

The Titans, sitting at 3-11, are eliminated from playoff contention but are focused on player evaluations and ending the season on a high note.

Offensive Challenges for Both Teams

Both teams have struggled offensively this season:

• Tennessee ranks 26th in passing yards, 27th in total yards, and 27th in scoring.
• Indianapolis has faced similar woes, with turnovers and decision-making issues undermining their potential.

Game Implications

For the Titans, this game offers a chance to assess Rudolph’s capabilities and rally around a team that has endured a challenging season. The Colts, meanwhile, are under pressure to support Richardson’s growth while staying in the playoff hunt.

Sunday’s game will test the resilience and adaptability of both squads, with high stakes for players and coaches alike. Regardless of the outcome, this contest will likely influence offseason strategies and roster decisions for both franchises.