NFL FOOTBALL BETTING PREDICTION - TENNESSEE TITANS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

NFL Football

2007-12-30 - Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts

A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown

TENNESSEE TITANS @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
Sunday, December 30, 8:15 p.m. ET
RCA Dome, Indianapolis, Indiana

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis have confirmed their number 2 seed in the AFC after winning the tough AFC South ahead of the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Colts have an impressive 13-2 record, particularly so since they have had to suffer some heavy injuries to key players throughout the season. They have confirmed that Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison are only likely to play 1 half before Jim Sorgi takes over as QB.

The Colts are 6-1 at home this season. The team has a 6 game winning run and I do not doubt that they wish to continue this momentum going into the playoffs. Indianapolis won 38-15 at home against the Houston Texans last week, but their previous 2 home games had both been won by 3 points.

The defense has restricted teams to less than 20 points in 4 of their last 5 matches while the 21 points scored against Oakland 2 weeks ago was the lowest total the Colts have put up in their last 5 games.

Marvin Harrison's return has been confirmed as mentioned. He will likely only play the 1st half, as will the likes of Anthony Gonzalez, Robert Mathis and Ben Utecht. Manning will also be rested in the 2nd half.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee have a 9-6 record for the season and that would most likely be good enough if they were based in the NFC, but it has not secured a place in the playoff in the AFC. They are currently tied with Cleveland in 6th spot but this 60 minutes of football in Indianapolis will define Tennessee's season. If they win they make the playoffs, but a defeat will mean they are out regardless of what Cleveland do in their earlier match.

Tennessee have gone 4-3 on the road this season and that includes wins at the other 2 teams that make up the AFC South, Jacksonville and Houston. The Titans have won 3 of their last 4 games, the defeat being a 4th quarter meltdown against San Diego at home. Tennessee may have won their last road game at Kansas City but they had lost their previous 2.

The Titans defence has kept teams below 23 points since Albert Haynesworth returned to the starting lineup, but the offense has been inconsistant. They have twice scored more than 26 points in their last 4 games and have also been restricted to less than 17 points twice in that period.

Tennessee have not listed any new injury doubts for this match.

Statistics

Indianapolis have won 4 straight at home in the series between the teams and have also won 3 of the last 4 overall. However Tennessee have been playing the Colts tough in the last 2 seasons. They lost by 2 points earlier this season at home, and only lost by 1 point in the corresponding fixture last season.

Tennessee actually beat Indianapolis 20-17 at home last season.

Indianapolis are 9-6 against the spread this season and Tennessee are 7-8. The Colts are also 5-2 at home while the Titans are 4-3 on the road.

Tennessee have won 3 straight matches against the spread against the Colts. However they have lost 2 of their last 3 against the spread this season while the Colts have won 2 of 3.

PREDICTION

This is an intriguing match where the Titans are considered favourites since they need the win more than the Colts who should also be resting players as the game goes on.

I think Tennessee have a habit of playing the Colts close with Vince Young and I think this may give them enough to win this match here.

The Colts would need a really big lead if they want to win this game when Manning and Co leave the game, but since the Titans usually play them hard I think it will be close at half time and then the Titans push on to win.

The Pick :