***MNF IN THE SWAMP - IND @ TEN***
***INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ TENNESSEE TITANS***
What a wild week in the NFL as the SwampMan strings a third strong Sunday along to help makeup for the slow start. Tonight's game isn't the sexiest matchup by any means but as we learned in the Niners vs Rams game, looks can be deceiving. I do think however this one might indeed be a bit lopsided as an AFC South Divisional matchup takes place when the 2-3 Colts ride into Tennessee to take on the 2-3 Titans. Both of these teams are trying to survive and get by with injuries to their starting QBs. Unfortunately for Indy, their situation is far more serious than that of Tennessee since Andrew Luck has yet to play at all this season. Backup QB Jacoby Brissett has been pretty solid in relief since the Colts acquired him from the Patriots through a trade once realizing Luck was going to be out for some time. So far the Titans just had to go without Marcus Mariota for one week while suffering an ugly loss in Miami. Veteran backup QB Matt Cassel is just horrendous in the later part of his career throwing lame ducks all over the place, as we mentioned in the Muck 5 writeup last week when picking the Dolphins to get the W. Luckily for the Titans, they get their guy back tonight, and it is a good thing considering the Colts have now won 11 straight games against these guys! Let's not forget, they are divisional rivals, meaning they place twice a year! Well tonight will be the first Monday Night Football game in Tennessee in a couple seasons if my memory serves me right and this place should be pumped up as there is still hope that they may have a future playoff team this season when Mariota returns to the field to help get over the hump. If not when the Colts are without Luck, at home, on Prime Time, and with the division lead on the line, then when?
Long story short as I am pressed for time here about to head to the Bronx for some playoff Yankee baseball;
The Colts have surprisingly faired pretty decently considering they have been without Luck so far and he is literally their entire team, similar to how Peyton was there pre-Luck, before leaving for Denver. They go as he goes. So that being said, Brissett has done a really nice job as far as being competitive and keeping them in games with a chance. At least they were able to fend off the winless Browns and Niners at home for their only 2 wins this season. Now they go on the road in what should be a hostile environment against a tough unit in Tennessee. The Titans were everybody's dark horse this season before it began. After a weirdly inconsistent start and a QB injury leading to a few losses and everybody is writing them off. They are very much still in the picture and back on everybody's minds with a big statement win here tonight at home. I think they will utilize their strength in the running game with DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry to pound the Colts weak defensive front until they lose their will and surrender. I believe they will keep giving the ball to the young horse Henry more and more as they seem to have been increasing his carries every week. This guy is a monster and will eventually take over there as the primary RB. I believe he will have himself a day tonight. The relentless run game will control the time of possession as well as the clock in general as the old school gameplan of ground and pound always does. Mariota will be able to have success down the field in the passing game once the bruisers loosen it up on the ground to help put up some points and cover the number. Look for Titans CB Adoree Jackson to match up well with one of the Colts' only weapons WR TY Hilton. Hilton is a deep threat against anybody and Brissett is wise to take many shots as that is one of their only ways of moving the ball and staying in games either completing the deepball or getting some help from the zebras. Jackson has the speed necessary to stay with Hilton, and I'm sure he will be tested in the spotlight tonight. Also, look for Jackson to make some noise in the return game, he can be an X-Factor tonight by taking a kick or punt back to the house. So far this season he has proven to be very dangerous and capable of doing so. For the Colts, I do like Rookie RB Marlon Mack and I think he will make himself known to those unaware of who he is tonight by having a few electric plays out of the backfield both on the ground and through the air. Long story short- Colts may linger as they have in other games but Titans should eventually pull away second half and get it done. Colts are quietly improving on defense but until Luck returns I believe their season will quickly move toward taking the inevitable dive without him and will put pressure on Luck to get back in action before it is too late. I hear he is starting to practice again which will make this division juicy. With the rise of the Jaguar defense and now Houston's new spark in Rookie QB Deshaun Watson, neither of these teams can afford a divisional loss tonight if they want remain in the mix to seize control of it early on. TITANS-7
