Colts vs Titans Week 10 Opening Line Favors Tennessee by 2.5 Points
- The Tennessee Titans open as 2.5-point home favorites over the Indianapolis Colts in a battle for the AFC South lead
- At the midway mark, Tennessee is a division-leading 6-2
- Read below for analysis on which way the line will move leading up to kickoff
The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are both limping their way into Thursday’s first-place showdown. The winner between the 6-2 Titans and 5-3 Colts will be laying claim to the AFC South lead.
Lately, though, both teams look to be heading south.
Tennessee was 5-0 when the Pittsburgh Steelers knocked the Titans from the ranks of the unbeaten. Since then, Tennessee is 1-2.
The Colts are 2-2 in their last four games. Indy’s two wins in that span were against the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions, so it’s not like anyone is bragging about the accomplishment. On Sunday, the Colts were schooled 24-10 at home by the Baltimore Ravens.
The Titans are 4-1 straight up at home this season. Bookmakers established Tennessee as the 2.5-point home favorites in this Week 10 divisional showdown slated for Thursday Night Football.
Colts vs Titans Opening Odds
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | +122 | +2.5 (-110) | O 50.5 (-110) |
| Tennessee Titans | -144 | -2.5 (-110) | U 50.5 (-110) |
Odds taken Nov. 8th at FanDuel.
Kickoff at Nissan Stadium is set for 8:20 pm EST. The forecast is for clear skies, 7 mph wind and a temperature of 64 degrees.
And A Rivers Gets Run Over
If there was a defining moment that summed up Sunday’s loss by the Ravens, Colts quarterback Philip Rivers delivered it.
Baltimore’s Chuck Clark scooped up a Jonathan Taylor fumble. Rivers was the only player between Clark and the end zone. As Clark neared, Rivers tripped over his own feet and fell backwards.
please only watch philip rivers on this play 😂pic.twitter.com/oYRQV2G2Xv
— SB Nation (@SBNation) November 8, 2020
Clark leapt over top of him, rambling 77 yards for the touchdown. The Ravens produced 14 points off turnovers and that was the final margin on the scoreboard.
A Rivers interception led to another Baltimore TD. He’s thrown five of his seven picks this season in Indy’s three losses.
Remember The Titans’ Defense?
Last season, the Titans were a solid defensive club. That was part of the reason why they were able to reach the AFC Championship game as a Wildcard team.
Tennessee was 12th in the NFL last season in scoring defense (20.7 points per game). That hasn’t been the case in 2020. At least it wasn’t until Sunday’s 24-17 win over the Chicago Bears.
DEFENSE, BABY! ⚔️@JayonBrown12 x @GrindSimmons94
📺: Watch #CHIvsTEN on FOX pic.twitter.com/F08C6ZRtYz
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 8, 2020
The Titans forced two turnovers, sacked Bears QB Nick Foles three times and held the Chicago ground game to 56 yards. And they did so without All-Pro linebacker Jadeveon Clowney. Tennessee’s big offseason free-agent signing missed the game due to a knee injury.
Tennessee is 19th in the NFL in scoring defense this season (26.3 ppg).
Injury Updates
The Colts figure to be without two top receivers for Thursday’s game. Sunday, wideout TY Hilton (groin) missed just the 11th game of his nine-year NFL career.
Jack Doyle is OUT for the rest of the game (concussion).
Hard to see him playing Thursday in Tennessee, either. Big loss for the Colts' TEs.
— Zak Keefer (@zkeefer) November 8, 2020
Tight end Jack Doyle suffered a concussion after absorbing a punishing first-half hit from Ravens safety DeShon Elliott.
Tennessee is expected to be without two starters. Wide receiver Adam Humphries (head) and Clowney are listed as out. Starting left guard Roger Saffold III is (shoulder) questionable.
Trend Spotting
Along with their 4-1 home mark the Titans are also 2-0 in the division. The Colts lost their lone game against an AFC South opponent and it was to the 1-7 Jacksonville Jaguars. Indy is just 2-2 on the road.
Neither the Colts (4-4) or Titans (3-5) are especially strong against the spread teams. As a home favorite, Tennessee is 2-2 ATS. Indianapolis is 0-1 as a road underdog.
It's on to the Colts. Thursday Night Football at @NissanStadium. pic.twitter.com/p8Y4tDopLw
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 8, 2020
In three games this season against teams with winning records, the sputtering Colts offense has averaged only 17.3 ppg.
Look for this line to lengthen in favor of Tennessee.
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
