Colts vs. Titans 2018: Prediction, Betting Odds, Over/Under With AFC Playoff Berth On The Line

Week 17 of the NFL regular season features plenty of high drama, as all six seeds in the AFC are up in the air going into Sunday’s games. Sunday night’s game between the Indianapolis Colts (9-6) and the Tennessee Titans (9-6) pits two division rivals against each other, with the winner making the playoffs and the loser staying home.

OddsShark gives the Colts a 4.5-point edge on the road. While the two teams have the same record, the Colts have been hotter in the second half of the season and beat the Titans 38-10 in November. The over/under is set at 44.5 points.

Another factor that does not help the Titans’ chances is that starting quarterback Marcus Mariota will not play, according to ESPN’s Chris Mortensen. Mariota has a nerve problem caused by a stinger he received in Tennessee’s victory over Washington last week. Backup Blaine Gabbert finished the game well, throwing for 101 yards and a touchdown.

However, Gabbert was inoffensive at best in three other games this season in which he received extended playing time. The former first-round pick has a career passer rating of just 72.

The Colts have won eight of their last nine games after a poor start to the season, thanks to an improved offensive line, a revitalized defense and the excellent play of likely Comeback Player of the Year Andrew Luck. The Titans will look to lean on running back Derrick Henry on Sunday night, but the Colts rank 8th in the league in rushing yards allowed.

Prediction: A strong Titans defense, with the support of its home crowd, will keep the game close. But Andrew Luck over Blaine Gabbert is an undeniable advantage for the Colts, who will keep their impressive run alive and become a team nobody wants to play in the playoffs.

Colts win, 24-14