NFL Picks – Which Losing Streak Will End Thursday Night? Indianapolis or Tennessee

The Indianapolis Colts were NFL Betting Picks favorite to run away with the AFC South but three straight losses has them on the outside looking in. The only worse team in the AFC South at the present time – the Tennessee Titans. Both teams are still mathematically alive in the division but a loss on Thursday would all but kill their playoff aspirations.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-6) vs. TENNESSEE TITANS (5-7)

Thursday, December 9, 8:20 PM ET

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LP Field, Nashville, Tennessee

Broadcast: NFL Network

NFL Betting Lines:

Indianapolis: -3 (-115)
Tennessee: +3 (-105)

Total: 46 points

The Indianapolis Colts are in a free fall, thanks in large part to the NFL picks that Peyton Manning has uncharacteristically thrown in the last month. The Colts have lost three straight games and there is no shortage of excuses as to why.

Injuries, the lack of a decent running game, porous defense and a struggling Peyton Manning have all contributed to the slide. The question remains – has Indianapolis hit rock bottom yet or is there still a ways to go?

OK, let’s get it out of the way! Peyton Manning is in a slump! He has thrown 11 interceptions in his last three games (four of which have been returned for scores) and has tossed 13 NFL picks in his last five games.

Pressure to single-handedly carry the offense and a lack of chemistry with a bunch of unfamiliar receivers has Manning looking ordinary. The good news is that the Colts still have the league’s best passing offense (303.33 yards per game) and they get to face the NFL’s 23rd ranked Tennessee passing defense on Thursday.

The running game isn’t even worth talking about. With Joseph Addai missing six straight games, they have been brutal! The Colts defense has been just as bad. They are surprisingly 4th against the pass (200 yards per game) but are an abysmal 29th against the run (142.75 yards per game).

This unit has allowed at least 31 points in each of their last three games. The good news is that they face a Titans offense that has been totally out of sync sin the last five games.

The Tennessee Titans were early season NFL Picks for surprise team of the year but het have lost five straight games since Vince Young injured his digit – the team has been outscored 65-22 since that time. The running game has stalled and the passing game has been borderline embarrassing. The early season defensive success has evaporated and now the Titans are a bottom third defensive squad.

The 29th ranked Tennessee passing game is rivaling the Carolina Panthers right now – sad but true! Kerry Collins and Rusty Smith have been absolutely brutal. The previously dependable running game has generated just 81 combined yards in their last two games against the bad run defenses of Houston and Jacksonville. The offense has not scored a touchdown in 13 quarters – Ya – they are bad!

Not unlike the Colts, there is some good news for the Titans. Arguably the best running back in the game should be able to right the ship against one of the worst run defenses in the land. Kenny Britt is expected back and he should be a huge upgrade to Randy Moss’s combined five catches for 62 yards.

NFL Picks Outlook:

The Indianapolis Colts are just 1-4 SU in their last five games. On the road, they are 13-6 SU in their last 19 but are only 2-5 SU in their last seven. Against the Titans, the Colts are 11-3 SU in their last 14 games overall and 5-2 SU in their last seven trips to Tennessee.

The Tennessee Titans are 0-5 SU and ATS in their last five games. They are 1-4 SU and ATS in their last five at home. The Titans are 3-11 SU in their last 14 against Indianapolis and are 2-5 SU in their last seven at home against the Colts.

There is not a whole lot to like about these two teams. The main difference between them is that the Colts are actually scoring. Indianapolis should get a few offensive and defensive starters back this week. With motivation to spare, my guess is that the Colts have already hit rock bottom and that they will come out firing on Thursday night.

NFL Picks: Indianapolis Colts -3

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