Monday Night Football Week 6: Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts Prediction, Odds

One game will mark the difference between a share of first place or sole possession of last place in the AFC South. That’s what’s on the line when the Tennessee Titans host the Indianapolis Colts on “Monday Night Football” to conclude Week 6.

Both teams enter the contest at 2-3, very much in the race to win the division. Neither the Jacksonville Jaguars nor Houston Texans, who are tied with .500 records atop the AFC South, have established themselves as the clear favorites.

Tennessee might’ve been the most popular pick to win the division in the preseason, though they haven’t gotten off to the kind of start that many had imagined. The Titans have lost two games in a row, while the Colts were winners in two of their last three games.

Tennessee, however, has the clear advantage Monday night.

Not only are the Titans home, but it looks like the team will have their starting quarterback. The same can’t be said for the Colts, who are still waiting for Andrew Luck to get ready to play this season.

Marcus Mariota missed Week 5 with a hamstring injury, contributing to Tennessee’s 16-10 loss to the Miami Dolphins. The quarterback is expected to return Monday night, making the Titans 7.5-point favorites, via OddsShark. The over/under is 47.

The Titans were unable to get anything going without Mariota under center. The team totaled just 188 yards as Matt Cassel threw for 141 yards on 32 attempts. The quarterback was sacked six times.

That’s not to say Mariota will be the cure for all of Tennessee’s issues on offense. He’s been somewhat of a disappointment with a 79.8 passer rating, and he hasn’t thrown for more than 256 yards in a game this season.

Facing Indianapolis' defense could help Mariota get back on track.

Only the Patriots have allowed more yards per pass attempt than the Colts. Brian Hoyer, who was benched in Week 6, threw for 353 yards, two scores and a 101.1 passer rating against Indianapolis in Week 5. Indianapolis beat the winless San Francisco 49ers 26-23 in overtime, but their defense almost cost them the game.

Tennessee’s defense hasn’t exactly been impressive either. Prior to holding Miami and their last ranked offense to 16 points, the Titans let Deshaun Watson and Houston score 57 points. The Titans rank 25th in opponents’ passer rating with quarterbacks taking advantage of what’s been a weak secondary.

Jacoby Brissett has been serviceable in place of Luck, taking over for the now-benched Scott Tolzien. He’s totaled five touchdowns and two interceptions since he got his first win as a starter in Week 3.

Giving up 28.4 points per game, the Titans are second-to-last in points allowed. Only the Colts have given up more points.

On the road, the Colts allowed the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks to score 46 points each. Indianapolis has been much better at home, going 2-1 and surrendering 21.1 points per game in regulation.

It could be another struggle for the Colts’ defense in a surprisingly entertaining game.

Prediction: Tennessee over Indianapolis, 30-24