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Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts Odds & Game Pick (2021)

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Among games on tap for Week 8 in the NFL is a critical AFC South Division battle. The Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are set to collide for the second time this season on Sunday afternoon. Both teams come in riding two-game winning streaks and will look to keep the positive momentum rolling. The betting market has been moving back-and-forth on this divisional showdown throughout the week. Current odds have the home side laying a small number ahead of this coin-flip matchup.

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Details

Opening Lines: Colts -2.5; O/U 49
Current Lines: Colts -1.5; O/U 50.5
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium — Indianapolis, IN
Start Time: 1 p.m. EDT
TV: CBS
Last Meeting: September 26, 2021 — The Titans defeated the Colts 25-16 in Nashville. 

Overview

After pulling out a thrilling win over the Buffalo Bills on Monday Night Football to conclude Week 6, the Titans turned around to play another massive game last week. Mike Vrabel’s squad rose to the occasion once again, throttling the Kansas City Chiefs in a 27-3 blowout victory. The win was also a statement game for the lesser component of the Titans’ offense. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill threw for 270 yards and a score while running for another TD. A.J. Brown exploded to lead the team with 133 yards receiving. The production of Tennessee’s passing attack was critical in a game in which Derrick Henry was relatively bottled up. 

The real story last week, though, was the Titans’ defense. Rashaan Evans became the latest player to intercept a Mahomes pass.  Tennessee sacked Mahomes four times. Two came courtesy of Denico Autry, while Bud Dupree returned from injury to record a sack as well. The Titans jumped from 28th to 22nd in adjusted defensive efficiency following their most impressive performance of the season.

Meanwhile, the Colts had to withstand a downpour in their Sunday Night Football matchup last week. Despite being NFL betting underdogs, Indianapolis overcame the odds and convincingly defeated the San Francisco 49ers on the road. The victory marked the Colts’ third in their last four games. Considering the weather conditions, Carson Wentz had about as productive a game as a quarterback could in the Week 7 victory. He finished with 150 yards passing and a pair of touchdowns. With both T.Y. Hilton and Parris Campbell missing due to injuries, Michael Pittman Jr. stepped up as Wentz’s go-to target.

Of course, the elements led to most of Indianapolis’ offensive production coming via the run game. Jonathan Taylor continued a strong stretch with another 100-yard game and a score. Wentz also scored a rushing touchdown. To say that Wentz has settled into Frank Reich’s system in Indianapolis would be an understatement. The veteran QB has looked extremely comfortable and confident in the pocket in recent weeks. Sunday’s NFL betting contest is massive for the Colts. They’ll look to both get back to .500 and avenge a road loss to the Titans from earlier in the season.

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Trends

  • Titans are 5-1 ATS in their last six games.
  • 11 of the Titans’ last 16 games have gone over the total.
  • Colts are 5-1 ATS in their last six games.
  • The total has gone under in four of the Colts’ last five home games.
  • Colts are 15-5 SU and 14-6 ATS in their last 20 head-to-head matchups against the Titans. 

Bottom Line

It would not come as a surprise to see this NFL betting matchup turn into the Sharp vs. Square game of the week. Public perception of Tennessee is extremely high after their impressive wins over two teams regarded as being among the best in the AFC. So it comes as no surprise that 65% of the ticket count is on the Titans ahead of Sunday’s game. Too bad these types of public plays tend to be a week or two too late. Just ask those who flocked to back the Bills against these same Titans two weeks ago after they throttled the Chiefs the week before.

While the Titans have been garnering the support of the public bettors, the Colts have quietly gone about their business. Many left this team for dead after they started the year 0-3. However, the improvements that Carson Wentz has made are undeniable. T.Y. Hilton is on track to return on Sunday as well, adding another big-time weapon to the Colts’ passing attack. Furthermore, the Colts have the top-rated adjusted defensive efficiency against the run—that, with support from the home crowd figures to serve them well on Sunday against Derrick Henry. 

Pick: Colts -1.5

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Henry John is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Henry, check out his archive and follow him @HankTimeHenry.