NFL Week 4 Picks: Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
Sep 21, 2014; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Indianapolis Colts running back Ahmad Bradshaw (44) carries against the Jacksonville Jaguars during the third quarter at EverBank Field. The Indianapolis Colts defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars 44-17. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
NFL Week 4 Picks: Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
NFL MVP candidate Andrew Luck and the Indianapolis Colts are working their way out of an 0-2 hole, starting with a blowout win last week over the Jaguars and now trying to continue that success against the Tennessee Titans.
The Colts have the advantage of playing at home, and they also have the advantage of Luck, who is playing better than most quarterbacks in the league at this point. Luck has nine touchdowns through three games, leading the Colts to a 1-2 record. The Titans are also 1-2 after three games, and are looking to win a tough road game to reach the 2-2 mark and hopefully challenge the Texans for first place in the division.
In a division that’s seemingly as wide open as the AFC South is right now, this is a must-win game for both teams. Whichever team wins will be 2-2 and the team that loses will be 1-3. One of those scenarios is like a fresh start, the other seems like a pretty big hole.
Interesting Note for This Game
Andrew Luck and Jake Locker are former Pac 10 rivals (buddies) who were top picks just one year apart. Locker’s career as a member of the Washington Huskies seemed to be falling apart a bit toward the end, while Luck was soaring. Now in the final contract of his rookie deal, Locker is looking to make amends for an injury-riddled beginning to his time with the Titans.
Luck, on the other hand, is the former top pick of the 2012 NFL Draft who has led the Colts to the playoffs each of his first two seasons with the team. He and the Colts were in an 0-2 hole to start the year but have a chance to start fresh at 2-2 after this game.
Locker, barely able to grip the ball in practices this week due to a wrist injury, is on thin ice as far as his career with the Titans goes. These two former Pac 10 QBs are on completely different career trajectories at this point. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out.
Stars to Watch
Titans: Jurrell Casey – Colts: Ahmad Bradshaw
Jurrell Casey is one of the most disruptive defensive linemen in football today. Per Pro Football Focus, he has the highest grade of any Titans defender this year and has played the most snaps of any defensive lineman on their roster. He’s so good against the pass, and if the Titans are going to stop Andrew Luck, Casey is going to have to have a big day.
Bradshaw a star to watch? You better believe it. A year removed from his season-ending injury, the Colts’ back has been reborn. He’s currently averaging six yards per carry and also has 12 catches with three going for touchdowns. Bradshaw appears to be back as a legitimate option in the backfield and not only that, I think he could make a huge impact on the outcome of this game.
Prediction: Colts 30, Titans 16
I think the Colts will roll in this game, going off of what we saw against Jacksonville. This is a hungry Titans team that could put up a pretty good fight for a while, but in the end I see the Colts pulling away and improving to 2-2 on the season.