With their playoff hopes hanging on by a thread, the Indianapolis Colts return home in Week 16 to face the Tennessee Titans for the second time this season.
After a loss to Denver last week, the Colts’ playoff chances fell to around the 10% mark, depending on where you looked, and those odds have since decreased with the Chargers win on Thursday over the Broncos.
The Colts’ defense, who is coming off of one of its best performances of the season, will have the opportunity to build off of that against a struggling Tennessee offense that ranks 27th in points per game this season. It appears that the Titans are making a change at quarterback and giving Mason Rudolph the start.
Perhaps the big question in this game, however, is, can the Colts’ offense bounce back after a second-half collapse in Denver? While the Titans’ defense ranks 29th in points per game allowed, in terms of yards per rush and yards per pass attempt surrendered, they’ve been one of the more stingier defenses this season, ranking top 10 in both categories.
One big thing that has eluded the Colts all season has been the ability to play complementary football with the both the offense and defense performing well within the same game. Oftentimes, it’s been either one or the other who keeps Indianapolis in the game.
For a closer look at the upcoming game, click here.
Now let’s get to know the current version of this Titans team with the players you should be keeping your eyes on in Sunday’s game.
Quarterback: Mason Rudolph (63% completion rate at 6.6 YPA with 6 touchdowns to 5 interceptions in five games this season)
Rushing leader: Tony Pollard (982 yards at 4.3 YPC)
Receiving leader: WR Calvin Ridley ( 779 yards on 97 targets at 14.7 yards per catch with three touchdowns)
PFF’s highest graded pass-blocker: G Peter Skoronski
PFF’s highest graded run-blocker: OT JC Latham
Most QB pressures: DT Jeffery Simmons (38)
Most sacks: DE Harold Landry (8)
Most solo tackles: LB Kenneth Murray (70)
Lowest completion rate: CB Darrell Baker (59.5% on 37 targets)
Most PBUs: CB Jarvis Brownlee (5)
Most interceptions: S Amani Hooker (4)
All stats courtesy of Pro Football Focus
