AFC SOUTH
Luck’s mastery of Titans could put Colts in playoffs
Beat an opponent 11 straight games.
Luck has won his first 10 games against the Tennessee Titans, matching Hall of Famer John Elway, who went 10-0 against the Patriots. Another victory tonight would leave Luck all alone in dominating another team with an AFC wild-card berth at worst for the Colts (9-6).
Not that Luck is counting on past success, especially after the Colts needed a late TD to edge the Giants, 28-27, for their eighth victory in nine weeks.
“What happened previously and what happened in previous years, it doesn’t matter,” Luck said. “What happened last weekend does not matter. It’s a new cycle.”
Tennessee safety Kevin Byard refuses to ponder why Luck has tormented the Titans so. The Titans are 2-3 against the Colts in Byard’s three seasons — Luck missed 2017 with a shoulder injury — and four straight wins have Tennessee (9-6) a win away from a second straight postseason berth.
By kickoff, they’ll all know exactly what’s at stake. The AFC South title will be up for grabs if Houston loses to Jacksonville. Even crazier for the Titans, a No. 2 seed with a first-round bye would be available if the Texans, Patriots and Ravens all lose. That’s more than enough to keep the Titans focused.
“We’re just blessed to be in this position to be playing for a playoff game, so that’s all the motivation that guys need,” Byard said. “They’ll be motivated, we’ll be motivated. It’ll be a fun game.”
Some things to know about the final game of the NFL’s regular season:
“This is what it’s about,” Mariota said. “You’re playing for everything. I’m doing everything I can day and night, and just trying to make sure that I can be ready.”
Since losing three straight against the Titans from 2000-02, Indianapolis is 25-6. While the Titans often came up short against University of Tennessee grad Peyton Manning, they have been even worse against Luck. It’s not just Luck and Manning who have been problematic for the Titans. Matt Hasselbeck and Dan Orlovsky, now both ESPN commentators, also beat the Titans in backup roles. Hasselbeck also played for the Titans from 2011-12.
Tennessee defensive coordinator Dean Pees will be available for a unit that has allowed two offensive TDs over the past four games. Pees missed most of the first game against the Colts after being taken to an Indianapolis hospital, where he spent the night.
“He’s as good as advertised,” Colts linebacker Anthony Walker said.
If the league’s oldest active player — and NFL’s new career scoring leader — simply appears today, he would break a tie with Jeff Feagles (352) for the third-most games played in NFL history and become only the fourth player to participate in a game at 46. The others are George Blanda (48), Morten Andersen (47) and John Carney (46).