Betting On Titans Colts – Winless Colts Have Opportunity To Spoil Titans’ Chances

While the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers’ pursuit of perfection continues this weekend at Kansas City, the Indianapolis Colts’ pursuit of complete imperfection and the first overall pick in the 2011 NFL draft continues at home against the Tennessee Titans. The Colts remain winless through their first 13 games of the regular season, and with no other team registering fewer than two wins so far this year, they will have a shot to secure the top pick with another loss this weekend.

Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts

For whatever reason, the Titans are listed as single-digit sports betting favorites for this game even though they are superior to Indianapolis in nearly every way and are still fighting for a playoff spot in the AFC Wild Card race.

Betting On Titans Colts Preview: Tennessee Titans

Despite a solid effort, the Titans weren’t able to pull of an improbable upset on the road against the New Orleans Saints last week, keeping it close until the end in a 22-17 loss. Fortunately for them, the Oakland Raiders and Cincinnati Bengals both lost, which leaves them just one game back of the New York Jets for the final wild card spot. After appearing to break out against the Buffalo Bills the previous week, running back Chris Johnson was held to just 23 yards on 11 carries against the Saints, a number that simply has to be better this week. Both rookie Jake Locker and Matt Hasselbeck did a lot of things well against New Orleans, but the team needs a bigger presence from its running game.

Betting On Titans Colts Preview: Indianapolis Colts

There is some great debate outside of the organization on whether the Colts are playing to lose and get next year’s pick, or whether this team is actually focused and determined to win a game. Indianapolis really hasn’t had much of a chance the past couple of weeks against top AFC contenders, and will now wrap up their season with three straight against divisional opponents. Quarterback Dan Orlovsky continues to start despite his struggles, and even with poor play from under center head coach Jim Caldwell hasn’t made a firm commitment to the running game. That has left the defense exposed far too often this season, and it will be interesting to see how they push forward against the Titans.

Betting On Titans Colts Preview: Outlook & Pick

Based on available talent, their records, and where they are in terms of pursuit of a playoff spot, the Titans really shouldn’t have a problem covering the sportsbooks spread for this game. Tennessee won by 17 the first time these teams met back at LP Field, and with so much on the line heading in to this game, there is no reason to think they won’t put together another impressive performance to keep their postseason hopes alive.