NFL Week 8 Predictions: Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans

Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Sunday, 10/28/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Tennessee -3
Current Betting Line: Tennessee -3
Opening Total: 46.5
Current Total: 47
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

Titans Jaguars NFL Preview — Tennessee Titans RB Chris Johnson hasn’t enjoyed much success on the ground in his last three games versus the Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis is set to play its second AFC South contest on Sunday, as the team looks to win consecutive games for the first time this season. The Colts are winless on the road since former quarterback Peyton Manning led them to a win in December 2010, but they’ve won six of their last nine trips to Tennessee. Taking care of the football is crucial in this affair, as nine of the team’s 12 turnovers have come in its three losses. Indianapolis is 1-10 ATS in its last 11 games against an opponent with a losing record.

The Colts are certainly happy with the early play of quarterback Andrew Luck, as the rookie has completed 54 percent of his passes for 1,674 yards and seven touchdowns with seven interceptions. In two road losses this year, Indianapolis is averaging 15 points per game, while putting up 25 points a contest in its three home wins. On the other side of the ball, defensive end Dwight Freeney will need to create havoc, as he’s tallied 13 sacks in this series.

Tennessee earned its second win in a row by picking up a 35-34 win over the Buffalo Bills as four-point road underdogs, while going OVER the total for the fifth time in six games. The Titans have been led offensively by running back Chris Johnson, who is averaging 7.7 yards per carry in that span, but he’s managed to gain just 128 combined yards in his last three games versus Indianapolis. Tennessee is 4-7 ATS as a home favorite of seven or fewer points.

The Titans are 14-21 all-time in this series, but have posted a 7-8 mark at home. Tennessee picked up a 27-10 win as nine-point home favorites against Indianapolis at LP Field last year, but was out-gained by an 88-yard margin in that affair. Through the first seven weeks of the season, the franchise has been hampered by a defense that’s allowed 238 points, putting it on a pace to allow 544 through a full 16-game season.