COLTS TOP TITANS TO REMAIN UNDEFEATED

After several close calls in recent weeks, the Indianapolis Colts had an easier time on Sunday defeating the Tennessee Titans.  Indy opened up a 21-3 second quarter lead before coasting to a 27-17 victory to keep their record unblemished at 12-0.  It was the Colts’ 21st consecutive regular season win, tying an all time NFL mark.  Tennessee lost for the first time since Vince Young regained his starting quarterback role, and saw their record drop to 5-7.

NFL football betting enthusiasts were rewarded with a position on Indianapolis, as the Colts covered as -6 home favorites.  It was Indy’s third straight ATS victory, and they improved to 8-4 against the NFL pointspread. The Titans lost against the spread for the first time in six games (4-0-1 ATS in their previous five games) and dropped to 5-6-1 against the number.  The 44 combined points went UNDER the posted total of 47.  Indianapolis has gone UNDER the total in 7 of 12 games this year, while Tennessee has gone UNDER in 5 of 12.

After the contest, Colts’ QB Peyton Manning reflected on the tradition of excellence the team has built:

"You try to tell these guys that when you win a couple in a row, or three or four in a row, this is not normal. It's not normal to win 10 or 11 or 12 games every year. But these guys that have been here five years would tell me it is normal for us. That's all they've done."

Head coach Jim Caldwell said his team is proud of their success, but that it hasn’t changed their approach:

"It is one of those things we talk about. We kind of identify the milestones on Wednesday morning when we get in. We talk about some of the things we're accomplishing. The guys appreciate it, but it's not something that goes to their heads."

Titans’ QB Vince Young suggested that lack of red zone execution doomed his team to defeat:

"We just didn't finish in the red zone. Our guys made some big plays, but we just didn't finish. Against a team like this, with an MVP quarterback, you have to score touchdowns."

The Colts face a potentially difficult challenge on Sunday as they host the enigmatic Denver Broncos. Indianapolis is a -7 home favorite with the total set at 44.  They’ll play on the road at Jacksonville the following Thursday before returning to Lucas Oil Stadium to host the New York Jets on Sunday, December 27.  The Titans play the next three games at home, beginning with the lowly St. Louis Rams on Sunday.  Tennessee is a -13 point home favorite with the total set at 41’.  They’ll host the Miami Dolphins the following Sunday and play the San Diego Chargers on Christmas Day.