Colts–Titans rivalry
Indianapolis Colts
Tennessee Titans
| |
Location | Indianapolis, Nashville |
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First meeting | October 11, 1970 Colts 24, Oilers 20[1] |
Latest meeting | December 3, 2023 Colts 31, Titans 28[1] |
Next meeting | 2024 |
Stadiums | Colts: Lucas Oil Stadium Titans: Nissan Stadium |
Statistics | |
Meetings total | 59[1] |
All-time series | Colts: 37–22[1] |
Largest victory | Colts: 35–3 (2005) Titans: 45–26 (2020)[1] |
Longest win streak | Colts: 11 (2011–2016) Titans: 5 (2020–2022)[1] |
Current win streak | Colts: 2[1] |
Championship Success | |
Super Bowl Championships (2)[2][3]
Super Bowl Appearances (4)[2][3] Conference Championships Appearances (12)[2][3] Division Championships (14)[2][3]
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The Colts–Titans rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.[4][5][6][7][8]
During the 1960s, both teams competed in separate Leagues and went by different names, with the Colts identified as the Baltimore Colts and the Titans recognized as the Houston Oilers. Following a merger, the Colts and Oilers were both assigned to the American Football Conference, leading to sporadic matchups. Following a series of conflicting stadium situations, both teams relocated. The Colts made their move to Indianapolis, while the Oilers found their new home in Nashville, Tennessee, where they underwent a name change and became the Tennessee Titans. Following their first meeting in the playoffs, both teams were placed in the newly established AFC South during the 2002 season as part of a league realignment, leading to the development of a divisional rivalry. Throughout the 2000s, the Titans and Colts competed for the AFC South title, with the Titans occasionally becoming the only team in the AFC South to claim the title from the Colts. However, in recent years, the Colts have largely dominated the rivalry, thanks in part to the exceptional quarterback play of Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck. Nevertheless, the 2020s have seen both teams regain competitiveness, as they vie for the divisional title and a spot in the playoffs.
This rivalry is the longest–standing in the AFC South, with both teams competing against each other over 20 years prior to the inception of the Jaguars and Texans.[9] Although it gained prominence during the AFC South matchups in the 2000s,[10][11][12] it has recently been characterized by the Colts' supremacy over the Titans, highlighted by Andrew Luck's impressive undefeated record of 11–0 against them.[13][14]
The Colts lead the overall series, 37–22. The two teams have met once in the playoffs, with the Titans winning 19–16 in the 2000 AFC Divisional playoff game.[15]
Background
[edit]The Indianapolis Colts were initially based in Baltimore, where they were referred to as the Baltimore Colts. They commenced their journey in the 1953 NFL season as part of the National Football League. Initially struggling to find success, the team experienced a turnaround with the addition of future Hall of Fame QB Johnny Unitas, winning three NFL championships in four appearances. However, they suffered a heartbreaking 16–7 to the New York Jets in Super Bowl III, marking one of the most surprising upsets in NFL history.[2]
The Tennessee Titans were originally known as the Houston Oilers and were established as a team based in Houston. They began in the 1960 AFL season as a charter member of the American Football League. They quickly achieved success by securing the first two AFL Championships. Nevertheless, their victories have been limited in the years that followed.[3]
Due to being in separate leagues, the two teams couldn't compete against each other. However, a significant development occurred on June 8, 1966, when the American Football League and National Football League decided to merge. This merger led to the formation of a combined league, preserving the name and logo of the "National Football League," and was planned to kick off in the 1970 season, resulting in a single league with two conferences. The Baltimore Colts, originally in the Western Conference of the NFL, agreed to move conferences to become part of the American Football Conference (AFC) alongside the Oilers. However, the Colts were placed in the AFC East division, whereas the Oilers were placed in the AFC Central division.[16]
1970–1983: Beginning
[edit]1970: First matchup
[edit]The Colts and Oilers had their inaugural meeting during the 1970 season on October 11 in Houston. During the 2nd quarter, the Colts established a 14–0 lead by executing scoring drives spanning 38 and 44 yards. However, the Oilers recovered a fumble at Baltimore 8–yard line and scored their touchdown on a 7–yard pass. The Colts added a 43–yard field goal before halftime, securing a 17–7 lead. During the 3rd quarter, the Oilers achieved a rushing touchdown, narrowing the lead to 17–14. In the 4th quarter, the Oilers took the lead with two field goals by K Roy Gerela, making it 20–17 with only a few minutes remaining. However, with just 46 seconds left on the clock, Johnny Unitas connected with WR Roy Jefferson for a 31–yard touchdown pass, securing a 24–20 victory in their first game against the Oilers.[17][18]
The Oilers concluded the season with a 3–10–1 record.[19] Conversely, the Colts excelled, and finished with an 11–2–1 record, the best record in the newly established American Football Conference. In the playoffs, they shut out the Cincinnati Bengals and defeated the Oakland Raiders in the inaugural AFC Championship Game, paving the way for their second Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl V, the Colts defeated the Dallas Cowboys with a final score of 16–13, securing their first Super Bowl Championship.[20][21]
1972–1973: Oilers' Eighteen–game losing streak and back–to–back one–win seasons
[edit]After winning 26–20 against the Jets, which later turned out to be their only win in their 1972 season, the Houston Oilers proceeded to lose eleven consecutive games to conclude the season. The team ended the season ranked second–to–last in the NFL for both points scored and points allowed.[22] Entering the 1973 season, the Oilers embarked on a seven–game losing streak, which extended their total losing streak to eighteen games. Their already pathetic defense deteriorated further, conceding 250 points and 2429 total yards in the past seven games.[23][24]
On November 4, the team went up against the Colts in Baltimore, who were also struggling. The Colts opened the scoring with a field goal. In response, QB Lynn Dickey connected with WR Billy Parks, who sprinted 66 yards for a touchdown. Subsequently, right LB Guy Roberts intercepted a pass, setting up another touchdown drive for the Oilers. After the Oilers' subsequent punt, return specialist Bruce Laird mishandled the ball, allowing the Oilers to recover it. This turnover resulted in a 10–yard touchdown pass to TE Mack Alston, giving the Oilers an unexpected 21–3 lead by halftime. In the 3rd quarter, things began to unravel for the Oilers. Dickey's pass to RB Fred Willis bounced off his hands and was intercepted by LB Stan White, who returned it 19 yards for a touchdown. On the next possession, Willis fumbled during a lateral play, allowing Colts LB Ted Hendricks to recover the ball, which led to a touchdown pass for the Colts. As the fourth quarter unfolded, the Colts managed to score a rushing touchdown, taking the lead at 24–21. The teams then traded field goals, with the Colts ahead 27–24 as the two–minute warning approached. Nevertheless, the Oilers executed an 85–yard drive in just six plays, culminating in Willis catching a screen pass and sprinting 20 yards for a touchdown, resulting in a remarkable 31–27 victory for the Oilers over the Colts.[25][26]
The Oilers ended their eighteen–game losing streak, setting a record at the time post-merge. When considering losing streaks before the merge, it was the third longest losing streak of all time, only behind the Chicago Cardinals (29) and Raiders (19).[27][28][29] The Oilers' record–breaking losing streak post–merge would be surpassed a couple of years later when the newly established Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0–26 in their first two seasons, which began with their inaugural game against the Oilers.[30][31] This victory would later be the Oilers' sole win in the 1973 season, as they concluded the season with a six–game losing streak, resulting in a 1–13 record.[24] Interestingly, the Colts would go 1–15 in their 1991 season, with their only win being against the Jets.[32]
1976–1983: Struggles and last Baltimore game
[edit]The early 1980s saw the Oilers and Colts struggle heavily. The Colts had one of the worst defenses in NFL history in the 1981 season.[33] In the shortened players' strike 1982 NFL season, the Colts went winless, finishing with a 0–8–1 record.[34] Meanwhile, the Oilers endured a seventeen–game losing streak from 1982–1983.[35] Due to their poor records, the Colts and Oilers held the top two picks in the 1983 NFL Draft, with the Colts being in position to draft future hall–of–famer QB John Elway. However, Elway refused to play for the Colts, citing concerns about his potential success with the team.[36] He later expressed his desire to play for a West Coast team, ruling out the Oilers.[37] In the end, the Colts drafted but traded Elway to the Denver Broncos, who would lead them to five Super Bowl appearances and two Super Bowl championships.[38]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Indianapolis_Colts_at_Cleveland_Browns_1988-09-19_%28ticket%29_%28crop%29.jpg/170px-Indianapolis_Colts_at_Cleveland_Browns_1988-09-19_%28ticket%29_%28crop%29.jpg)
The Oilers faced a similar issue when RB Eric Dickerson, a future Hall–of–Famer whom they intended to draft, declined to play for them.[39] Worried about his intentions, the Oilers traded their second–overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams, who subsequently selected Dickerson.[40] Dickerson set multiple rushing records during his time with the Rams.[41] Notably, contract disputes with the Rams led to his trade to the Colts in the 1987 season.[42]
In the 1983 season finale held in Baltimore, the Colts emerged victorious with a 20–10 win over the Oilers, marking yet another disappointing season for both teams.[43] Interestingly, Oilers' quarterback during that time was QB Oliver Luck, who would later become the father of QB Andrew Luck, a prominent quarterback for the Colts.[44] Although this game went unnoticed at the time, it gained significance later on as it marked the final game played by the Colts as a Baltimore team.[43]
1984–1994: Colts relocate to Indianapolis and more struggles
[edit]Colts relocate to Indianapolis
[edit]Colts owner Robert Irsay expressed dissatisfaction with the Baltimore Memorial Stadium, deeming it outdated, and sought the construction of a new stadium.[45] After several years of no advancements being made on a new stadium project, Irsay initiated negotiations with Indianapolis and its mayor about relocation.[46] After the Maryland Senate approved a bill granting the city of Baltimore the authority to acquire the Colts through eminent domain,[47] Irsay agreed to Indianapolis's deal and swiftly arranged for Mayflower trucks to relocate the Colts to Indianapolis during the late hours of March 28, effectively becoming the Indianapolis Colts on March 29, 1984.[48][49]
Baltimore was left without an NFL team until the 1996 season, which ironically followed a similar controversial move as the Cleveland Browns relocated from Cleveland to Baltimore to become the Baltimore Ravens.[50] Interesting to note, the Ravens' final home game at Baltimore Memorial Stadium was against the Tennessee Oilers.[51] Furthermore, the Oilers' final game as a professional football team in Houston was against the Baltimore Ravens.[52]
1984–1986: First matchups as an Indianapolis team and continued struggles
[edit]During the 1984 season, the Colts faced off against the Oilers in Houston on September 9, marking their second game as an Indianapolis franchise. Warren Moon, a future hall–of–famer quarterback who was recently signed by the Oilers, had his best performance yet, completing 23–of–43 and threw for 365 yards. However, he did not throw any touchdowns, as another future hall–of–famer RB Earl Campbell rushed for three touchdowns in what would be his last season with the Oilers. Nevertheless, the Colts won the game 35–21.[53]
In the 1985 season finale game, the Colts and the Oilers faced off for the first time in Indianapolis at the newly built Hoosier Dome. Despite already being eliminated from playoff contention, Warren Moon delivered another impressive performance, as he completed 22–of–44 for 364 yards and threw for two touchdowns. However, the Colts dominated the ground game, rushing for a total of 299 yards against the Oilers' weak rushing defense, to a 34–16 Colts victory. This win marked the first time the Colts had secured consecutive victories since their move from Baltimore before the 1984 season.[54]
In the 1986 season, the Colts entered their matchup against the Oilers in Houston on November 23 with an eleven–game losing streak. The Oilers, determined not to be the team that handed the Colts their first win, dominated the 3rd quarter by scoring 21 points in just 3 minutes and 42 seconds, ultimately winning 31–17. Oilers HC Jerry Glanville expressed satisfaction with the victory, stating, “They had us by three touchdowns and were still throwing the bomb in the final minute of the game last year. Revenge was on everyone’s mind.” Moon also commented, "The win keeps us from being embarrassed. We certainly didn’t want to be the team to give them their first win."[55] The Colts would later get their first win of the season against the Atlanta Falcons, snapping a thirteen–game losing streak.[56]
1987–1989: Return to relevancy
[edit]When they faced off on November 29 in Indianapolis in the 1987 season, the Colts and the Oilers were back in the playoff mix. Noticeably, Eric Dickerson,who opted not to play for the Oilers, was the starting running back for the Colts following his trade, which stemmed from contract disagreements with the Rams.[57] Dickerson rushed for 136 yards on 27 carries and rushed for two touchdowns in the first half as he contributed to a Colts dominating blowout 51–27 victory against the Oilers, their most points scored in a game against the Oilers.[58] With the result, both teams now had identical records of 6–5.[59]
As the season finale week commenced, the Colts wrapped up their season with a 24–6 victory over the Buccaneers, finishing with a 9–6 record and securing a playoff berth along with the AFC East title for the first time since 1977. This marked a significant milestone for the Colts as they returned to the playoffs, clinched a divisional title, and achieved a winning season for the first time since becoming an Indianapolis–based franchise.[60][61] Meanwhile, the Oilers triumphed over the Bengals with a score of 21–17, also concluding their season with a 9–6 record and earning the fourth seed in the playoffs, marking their first playoff appearance since 1980.[62] This marked the first time both teams qualified for the playoffs in the same season.[2][3] During the playoffs, the Colts were defeated by the Browns in the Wild Card round,[60][63] whereas the Oilers secured a victory with an overtime game–winning field goal against the Seahawks before falling to the eventual AFC Champions Broncos.[64]
The two teams faced off in the season opener of the 1988 season in Indianapolis, eager to build on the momentum they had gained by breaking their playoff droughts in the previous season. The teams were deadlocked at 14–14 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, disaster struck for the Oilers when Warren Moon suffered a shoulder injury, forcing backup QB Cody Carlson to take over for the remainder of the game. Despite the Colts being held scoreless for the rest of the game, the Oilers failed to capitalize on their opportunities, with K Tony Zendejas missing two field goals, including a 26–yard attempt with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.[65] With the second half scoreless, the game went into overtime, marking the first overtime in their rivalry.[1] In the first play in Overtime, Eric Dickerson caught a pass when it was knocked out of his hands by LB John Grimsley and recovered by Oilers' LB Robert Lyles at Indianapolis's 42–yard line. Zendejas was able to redeem himself by kicking a 35–yard field goal, securing a 17–14 victory for the Oilers.[65]
After the New England Patriots' defeat by the Broncos, the Oilers clinched a spot in the postseason.[66] As the season finale week commenced, the Colts were in a crucial position where they had to secure a victory on their home turf against the playoff–bound Buffalo Bills. Additionally, their playoff hopes also relied on the Oilers defeating the Browns. Assuming the Colts win, if the Oilers beat the Browns, the Oilers would secure the 4th seed and commence the playoffs at home against the Colts. However, if the Browns defeated the Oilers, the Colts would be eliminated, the Browns would secure the 4th seed, and the Oilers would have to travel to Cleveland for their playoff match.[67] In the 4th quarter, even though they were trailing and just lost starting QB Chris Chandler to injury, backup QB Gary Hogeboom stepped in and led two touchdown drives, securing a crucial 17–14 victory for the Colts. Nevertheless, the Colts players held off on celebrating their victory until they were aware of the outcome of the Browns–Oilers game.[68] The Oilers–Browns matchup witnessed the Oilers establishing a 23–7 lead towards the end of the 3rd quarter, only for the Browns to stage a remarkable comeback by scoring 21 unanswered points and ultimately winning 28–23.[69] With the result, the Colts were officially eliminated from the playoffs, while the Oilers are now set to face off against the Browns in Cleveland again in the wild card round.[68][70] Nevertheless, the Oilers would get their revenge as they knockout out the Browns with a narrow 24–23 victory.[71]
1989–1993: Colts struggles; Oilers playoff struggles
[edit]In the early 1990s, both teams faced different struggles. In the 1990 season, the Oilers defeated the Colts with a final score of 24–10 on September 23 in what would be the last matchup played in Houston.[1] After narrowly missing the playoffs for three consecutive years, the Colts experienced a complete downfall during the 1991 season, finishing with a dismal 1–15 record.[2] Their sole victory came against the Jets, reminiscent of the 1972 Oilers' situation.[32][22] Although the Oilers achieved greater success, holding the NFL's playoff streak at the time, their success did not translate into advancing to the AFC championship game.[3] Following a devastating 28–20 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs,[72] Bud Adams, the owner of the Oilers, opted to trade several key players from the 1993 team, such as Warren Moon to the Minnesota Vikings, during the 1994 offseason, attributing the salary cap as the primary factor.[73][74]
1994: Last Houston Oilers matchup
[edit]The 1994 season opener in Indianapolis saw the Colts facing off against an overhauled Oilers team.[75] The Colts easily won 45–21, breaking the Oilers' eleven–game regular–season winning streak. Rookie RB Marshall Faulk, a future hall of famer, made an impressive NFL debut by rushing for 143 yards and scoring three touchdowns.[76][77] Without Warren Moon, the Oilers struggled significantly for the rest of the season, finishing with a losing record and missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1986 season.[3] This game would turn out to be a significant moment for the Colts as it was the last time they played the Oilers as a Houston team or under the name "Oilers".[78]
1995–2001: Houston Oilers become Tennessee Titans, first playoff meeting
[edit]Oilers relocate to Tennessee
[edit]Similar to Robert Irsay, Bud Adams expressed dissatisfaction with the Astrodome, citing its outdated facilities and limited seating capacity in comparison to other NFL stadiums, and pushed for the construction of a new stadium.[79] Upon realizing that a new stadium was unlikely, Adams shifted his focus to Nashville, a city that was experiencing growth.[80] On November 16, 1995, Adams made the decision to move the Oilers to Nashville, Tennessee in time for the 1998 season.[81][82] Nevertheless, poor attendance in Houston following the announcement led Adams to relocate the Oilers to Tennessee by the 1997 season.[83] Houston did not acquire another NFL team until the 2002 season, when they welcomed the "Houston Texans".[84]
1995–1999: No Regular Season Games
[edit]From 1995 to 2001, the Colts and Oilers did not face each other in the regular season due to their differing standings in their respective divisions.[1] Following an unexpected run to the AFC Championship during the 1995 season,[85] the Colts experienced a downturn, finishing with 3–13 records.[86][87] Finishing with the worse record in the 1997 season, the Colts secured the 1st overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft and selected Peyton Manning, a future hall–of–famer.[88] In contrast, the Oilers managed to maintain an 8–8 record for three consecutive years despite their low attendance in Houston and Memphis.[89][90]
In the 1999 season, the Oilers moved to the recently completed Adelphia Coliseum (now known as Nissan Stadium).[91] By rebranding themselves as the "Tennessee Titans," the team fully embraced their new home in Nashville.[92] With a fresh identity and a state–of–the–art stadium, the Titans experienced a remarkable resurgence and concluded the season with a 13–3 record, second place in the AFC Central, and as the 4th seed in the playoffs.[93] In the offensive side, QB Steve McNair, drafted in the 1995 draft, passed for 2,179 yards and twelve touchdowns and RB Eddie George achieved another 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive season. They also had defensive rookie of the year DE Jevon "The Freak" Kearse, who led the team with 14.5 quarterback sacks and recorded over fifty tackles.[94] Meanwhile, the Colts finished one of the biggest NFL turnarounds in NFL history, concluding the season with a 13–3 record, clinching the AFC East and claimed the 2nd seed in the playoffs. The Colts showcased a formidable offense that ranked first in the AFC and fourth overall in the league. Peyton Manning, in his sophomore season, passed for 4,135 yards and 26 touchdowns, topping the AFC with a 90.7 quarterback rating. RB Edgerrin James hauled in 115 receptions for 1,663 receiving yards, leading the NFL in that category, and WR Marvin Harrison led the NFL in receiving yardage with 1,663 yards.[95] In the playoffs, the Titans defeated the Bills 22–16 thanks to a famous last minute play to advanced.[96] The Colts and the Titans were set to face off in a playoff game, marking their first postseason meeting.[97]
2000 AFC Divisional playoff game
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7c/Eddie_George_Hypes_You_Up_For_Divisional_Round_Game_Against_the_Bengals_Hype_Videos_0-17_screenshot_2022_%28cropped%29.png/220px-Eddie_George_Hypes_You_Up_For_Divisional_Round_Game_Against_the_Bengals_Hype_Videos_0-17_screenshot_2022_%28cropped%29.png)
The Colts entered the game as the favorites to emerge victorious over the Titans, as indicated by their -6 line.[98][99] This marked the first playoff game for the Colts taking place at Indianapolis.[95][100]
The first significant event occurred when WR Terrence Wilkins caught a pass that was subsequently fumbled, seemingly giving possession to the Titans. However, a review revealed that DB Marcus Robertson had stepped out of bounds, allowing the Colts to continue. This series culminated in the only points of the first quarter, a 40–yard field goal by K Mike Vanderjagt. As the second quarter began, the Titans faced a 4th–and–1 situation on Indianapolis' 31–yard line but opted to kick a 49–yard field goal by K Al Del Greco. A 33–yard pass from Peyton Manning to WR E.G. Green contributed to a 40–yard field goal. Unfortunately, Green suffered a fractured right fibula in a collision with Robertson, further straining the already thin Colts receiving corps. A strong kickoff return and a 29–yard rush by Steve McNair into Colts territory set up a 37–yard field goal. Just before halftime, Manning orchestrated an 11–play, 66–yard drive that concluded with a 34–yard field goal, giving the Colts a 9–6 lead.
On the 3rd play in the 3rd quarter, Eddie George benefited from crucial blocking and tackling support as he discovered a gap in the defense, sprinting for a 68–yard touchdown, marking the first touchdown of the game. Concurrently, the Titans' defense intensified their pressure on Manning. On a 4th–and–1, the Colts attempted to draw the Titans offside, but a false start forced them to punt. The Titans finished the 3rd quarter outgaining the Colts 158 to 57 yards and were closing in on their red zone before settling for a 25–yard field goal. The Colts seemed to gain momentum when Wilkins returned a punt 87 yards to the Titans' 3–yard line. However, the Titans challenged the play, citing that Wilkins's right foot had stepped out of bounds at the Colts' 34–yard line. After review, the officials overturned the call, placing the ball at the Colts' 34–yard line. The Titans then added a 43–yard field goal, extending their lead to 19–9 with approximately four minutes remaining. The Colts took a gamble on 4th–and–4 from their own 43 but failed to convert. With no timeouts left, the Titans needed just one more 1st down to seal the game, but George fumbled, and Colts DE Mark Thomas recovered. Manning orchestrated a 61–yard drive, scoring a touchdown with a run up the middle. Nevertheless, the Titans recovered the Colts' onside kick and defeated the Colts in their first playoff matchup with a final score of 19–16. As the game concluded, Titans players began to mock the Colts fans, who were giving their team a final round of applause for the season. The Titans' defense effectively neutralized the Colts' high–powered offense. Manning's performance saw him complete 19–of–43 passes for 227 yards, James struggled with 56 yards on 20 rushing attempts, and Harrison only caught five receptions for 65 yards. Furthermore, the struggling Colts wide receiver group contributed to their loss with several dropped passes. Eddie George concluded the game with 162 rushing yards on 26 attempts, and his 68–yard touchdown run proved to be the turning point.[95][101][102]
The Titans went on to defeat their AFC Central rival Jacksonville Jaguars with a score of 33–14 in the AFC Championship, earning their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history.[103] In Super Bowl XXXIV, the Titans suffered a heartbreaking defeat, losing 23–16 to the St. Louis Rams as Rams LB Mike Jones made a crucial tackle on Titans WR Kevin Dyson at the 1–yard line, granting the Rams their first Super Bowl Championship.[104]
2002–2011: Divisional Rivals, AFC South clash, and Peyton Manning Dominance
[edit]AFC South Formation
[edit]The NFL officially sanctioned the addition of the "Houston Texans" on October 7, 1999, for the 2002 season, marking the return of an NFL team to Houston following the departure of the Houston Oilers. Furthermore, with a total of 32 teams, the NFL decided to reorganize into eight divisions: four teams in each division and four divisions in each conference, also starting in the 2002 season.[105] The NFL made the decision to include the newly established Houston Texans, along with the Tennessee Titans and Jacksonville Jaguars from the AFC Central, and the Indianapolis Colts from the AFC East and place the four teams into the newly created AFC South division.[106] Initially, the NFL presented Miami Dolphins' owner Wayne Huizenga with the choice to relocate to the more geographically appropriate AFC South rather than the Colts. However, Huizenga opted to preserve the traditional AFL rivalries within the AFC East.[107] As a result, the Colts and Titans became divisional opponents, meeting twice annually – once in Indianapolis and once in Nashville.[106]
2002–2003: First games as divisional rivals, clash for AFC South
[edit]In the 2002 season, the Colts and Titans faced off as divisional rivals for the first time on November 3 in Indianapolis. Titans' DB Tank Williams forced and recovered a fumble from Colts' FB Jim Finn, resulting in a Titans field goal drive. LB Peter Sirmon intercepted Peyton Manning, which led to a touchdown drive. At Tennessee's 21–yard line, Manning was sacked by Williams, and fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Titans LB Keith Bulluck who returned it 61–yards for a pick–six. The Titans added another field goal to score 20 unanswered points. the Colts attempted to get their first points before halftime, but Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46–yard field goal. The Titans added another field goal to start the second half, making it 23–0. The Colts marched down to Tennessee's 1–yard line and went for it on 4th–and–1, but RB James Mungro was stuffed. Although the Colts managed to score 15 points in the 4th quarter, it was too late as they ultimately lost 23–15. This loss tied the Titans with the Colts for first place in the AFC South. Despite the Titans' offense struggling with only 198 yards compared to the Colts 378 yards, the three turnovers by the defense in the first gave them a lead they never relinquished.[108][109]
The two teams faced off once more on December 8 in Nashville, vying for the inaugural AFC South divisional championship. Following their defeat to the Titans, the Colts went on a four–game winning streak, sitting at a 8–4 record while the Titans had a 7–5 record. This game was the Colts' first time playing in Tennessee.[1] On the opening drive, Steve McNair found RB John Simmon for a 42–yard touchdown pass. The Titans scored another touchdown as the second quarter commenced. Manning connected with WR Reggie Wayne on a 49–yard pass, which led to a touchdown for the Colts. In response, the Titans scored a touchdown of their own, while a field goal from the Colts brought the halftime score to 21–10. The third quarter began with both teams trading turnovers. On Tennessee's 28–yard line, Manning was intercepted by Williams in the end zone, leading to a Titans field goal that increased their lead to 24–10 by the start of the fourth quarter. Manning orchestrated a touchdown drive, but the Titans countered with a field goal. Ultimately, the Titans halted the Colts on their final drive, securing a 27–17 victory, completing a sweep of the Colts in their inaugural divisional matchups.[110]
The Titans secured the inaugural AFC South title after defeating the Jaguars combined with the Colts' loss to the New York Giants, becoming the first AFC team to clinch a playoff berth.[111] Meanwhile, the Colts secured a place in the playoffs after winning their season finale game against the Jaguars.[112] In the playoffs, the Colts were shutout against the Jets,[113] whereas the Titans triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime but ultimately fell to the Raiders in the AFC Championship.[114][115]
In the 2003 season, the Colts exacted their revenge by overpowering the Titans with a 33–7 victory on September 14 in Indianapolis, achieving their first divisional win against the Titans.[116] The teams faced off once more on December 7 in Nashville, competing for the AFC South title, with both teams boasting 9–3 records. Steve McNair, leading the league in passer rating, had thrown 20 touchdowns and six interceptions as the Titans were the NFL's fifth–highest–scoring team. Meanwhile, Peyton Manning had accumulated more passing yards than any other player in the league, with the Colts boasting the second—best offense in the NFL, averaging 372.3 yards per game.[10]
The Titans opened the score with a 40–yard field goal on their first possession. The Colts advanced into the Titans' red zone, where Manning located WR Marvin Harrison, but he was unable to secure the catch, forcing the Colts to opt for a 21–yard field goal. McNair then led the Titans down the field to score a touchdown. In the second quarter, McNair connected with TE Shad Meier, who fumbled the ball, allowing Colts' DB David Macklin to recover it in Tennessee's territory. However, the Colts were unable to capitalize and settled for another field goal. They later moved down the field again to score yet another field goal. Following the ensuing kickoff, WR Eddie Berlin fumbled, and Colts' DE Robert Mathis recovered the ball in Tennessee territory. Although the Colts managed to convert a 4th–and–inches, they ran out of time and had to settle for another field goal, ending the half with a 12–10 lead despite not scoring any touchdowns. During the second half kickoff, Colts RB Dominic Rhodes ran 44 yards to their 46–yard line, establishing a favorable starting position that led to their first touchdown. Following the ensuing kickoff, Berlin fumbled the ball once more, allowing Colts RB Ricky Williams to recover it at the Tennessee 15–yard line. However, the Colts went three–and–out, settling for a 26–yard field goal, marking Mike Vanderjagt's fifth successful field goal of the game. The Titans quickly countered with a 40–yard field goal of their own. On the subsequent drive, Manning connected with Harrison, who made an impressive one–handed catch for a 42–yard gain deep into Tennessee territory. Edgerrin James then rushed up the middle, increasing the Colts' lead to 29–13 as they entered the fourth quarter. McNair drove his team down the field for a touchdown, and they opted for a two–point conversion, which was successful. In the final minutes, a poor punt by the Titans and a 29–yard completion to WR Justin McCareins set the stage for a Titans scoring drive. McNair found WR Derrick Mason for a touchdown, and the Titans attempted a two–point conversion to tie the game, but McNair's pass was tipped and fell incomplete. On a 3rd–and–8, Manning's pass was also tipped, but he managed to catch it himself. During the kickoff, McCareins fumbled the ball, which was recovered by Colts DB Anthony Floyd, sealing a dramatic 29–27 victory and marking the first time the Colts swept the Titans as divisional rivals.[11][117][118]
As the final week approached, both teams had an 11–4 record, having already clinched playoff spots, yet still vying for the title of AFC South champion. The Titans were scheduled to compete against the previous year's Super Bowl Champions, the Buccaneers, while the Colts were preparing to take on the Texans, needing only a victory to clinch the AFC South title.[119] The Titans easily defeated the Buccaneers in a 33–13 victory.[120] In contrast, the Colts found themselves down 17–3 as they entered the 4th quarter. Despite this, the Colts scored two touchdowns to tie the score. With only 2:40 left on the clock and starting from their 10–yard line, Manning skillfully led the team down the field, resulting in a game–winning field goal. The Colts' victory secured their first AFC South divisional title and relegated the Titans to the 5th seed.[11] During the playoffs, the Titans triumphed over the Ravens, while the Colts defeated the Broncos and the Chiefs. Nevertheless, both teams fell to the eventual Super Bowl Champions Patriots.[121]
Subsequently, Peyton Manning and Steve McNair were both recipients of the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award for their outstanding performances, making it just the second occasion in NFL history that the league honored co–MVPs for a season since 1997.[122]
2004–2006: Manning and the Colts showcase their dominance, Second Colts Championship
[edit]In the 2004 season, the Colts emerged victorious in their first game against the Titans in Nashville on September 19 with a 31–17 victory. The two teams faced off once again on December 5 in Indianapolis, with the game gaining attention due to some clever tactics employed by the Titans. In the first quarter, QB Billy Volek, stepping in for the injured Steve McNair, connected with WR Drew Bennett for a 48–yard touchdown pass. Following this, the Titans instructed P Craig Hentrich to execute a surprise onside kick, which they successfully recovered, leading to a 45–yard field goal drive. They attempted another onside kick, but a penalty for a short free–kick forced them to punt. Volek then connected with Bennett again for a 28–yard touchdown, prompting the Titans to try a third onside kick, successfully recovered by Titans' RB Troy Fleming. However, DB Jason David intercepted Volek's pass, and a 59–yard completion from Manning to Marvin Harrison set up a touchdown. The first quarter concluded with Volek finding Bennett once more for a 48–yard touchdown, giving the Titans an unexpected 24–17 lead. However, this lead was short–lived as the Colts took control for the remainder of the game, ultimately winning decisively with a score of 51–24. The Titans' strategy forced the Colts to deploy their "hands team" for the rest of the match, affecting their starting field position. Manning completed 23 of 35 passes for 425 yards and three touchdowns, while Edgerrin James added 105 rushing yards and two touchdowns,[123][124] contributing to the Colts' impressive total of 567 yards, marking their highest yardage against the Titans.[125] Additionally, they matched their record for the most points scored in a game against the Titans, a feat not achieved since their 1987 encounter when they were still called the Oilers.[58] When questioned about his game plan, Titans head coach Jeff Fisher elaborated on his strategy, noting that his team was dealing with injuries and couldn't keep up with the Colts. To win, he emphasized the need to "have to do some things out of the ordinary" to limit the potent Colts offense's possessions. He further remarked, "We told our guys, so what if they get it on the 40–yard line? they're three plays away from being on the 40–yard line anyway." Additionally, punter Hentrich, who executed the three onside kicks, stated, "If we get two or three extra possessions you never know what can happen"[123]
The Colts dominated the Titans in the 2005 season. The Colts easily defeated the Titans at Nashville 31–10, with Manning throwing for 264 yards and four touchdowns.[126] Later, on December 4, the Colts hosted the Titans in Indianapolis, where they overpowered the Titans again to a final score of 35–3. Manning finished with 13–of–17 for 187 yards and three touchdowns, earning him a near–perfect passer rating of 151.2. With this win, the Colts secured a playoff spot.[127] The victory currently remains as the Colts' largest victory against the Titans with a 32–point differential.[128] This game marked the last start in the series for Steve McNair, as he was traded to the Ravens in the following season.[129]
During the 2006 season, the Colts and the Titans faced off on October 8 in Indianapolis. The Titans established a 10–0 lead by halftime, capitalizing on the Colts' vulnerable run defense. Nevertheless, the Colts rallied back to clinch a 14–13 victory, extending their winning streak against the Titans to seven games.[130]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/7a/Rob-Bironas-TitansvsPackers-Nov-2-08.jpg/220px-Rob-Bironas-TitansvsPackers-Nov-2-08.jpg)
The Titans and Colts faced off once again in Nashville on December 3. After falling behind 14–0 in the first half, the Titans scored 17 unanswered points. The Colts advanced to Tennessee's 1–yard line, where Manning appeared to connect with TE Ben Utecht for a touchdown. However, a pass interference penalty was assessed against him and the Colts ultimately settled for a field goal with 2:38 remaining in the game. Starting at their 25–yard line, rookie QB Vince Young led the Titans down the field to the Indianapolis 42–yard line with 12 seconds remaining. Rob Bironas kicked a 60–yard field goal, currently the longest in franchise history, securing a 20–17 victory for the Titans and ending their seven–game losing streak to the Colts. Additionally, this win snapped the Colts' twelve–game winning streak against AFC South opponents.[131]
Ultimately, the Colts finished the season with a 12–4 record, claiming the 3rd seed in the playoffs. In the playoffs, they went on to defeat the Chiefs, Ravens, and Patriots to reach their third Super Bowl appearance. In Super Bowl XLI, the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29–17, securing their second Super Bowl Championship and their first in Indianapolis.[132]
2007–2008: Colts and Titans clash for the AFC South title
[edit]The Colts entered 2007 season as the reigning Super Bowl Champions and faced the Titans on September 16 in Nashville. Despite missed opportunities, they held a 22–13 advantage entering the fourth quarter. Despite recovering a Titans fumble in their territory, K Adam Vinatieri missed a 36–yard field goal. Vince Young orchestrated a 74–yard drive for the Titans, narrowing the gap to 22–20 with 6:02 left in the game. The Titans' defense then forced a punt, allowing their offense to take over with just 1:37 remaining. On a 4th–and–4 at the Colts' 47–yard line, the Colts pressured Young, who ultimately threw the ball away, resulting in a 22–20 win for the Colts.[133]
As the final week approached, the Titans and Colts met in Indianapolis on December 30. Following the Browns' victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the Titans needed to win to gain a tiebreaker advantage for the final playoff spot, whereas the Colts had already secured the second seed in the playoffs, regardless the game's result. Despite Vince Young suffering an injury, the Titans won a 16–10 victory as the Colts started resting their key players, clinching the final playoff spot and breaking a four–game losing streak in Indianapolis.[134] It was also their last matchup at the RCA Dome.[1] Both teams later suffered defeats to the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs.[135]
In the 2008 season, the Colts and Titans clashed on Monday Night Football in Nashville on October 27. At that point, the Titans were enjoying a 7–0 record, making them the last undefeated team in the league, thanks to their formidable rushing offense and third–ranked defense. They had also achieved 10 consecutive regular–season victories dating back to the previous season. In contrast, the Colts were struggling with a 3–3 record, hampered by injuries and inconsistent performances. The game commenced with the Titans kicking a field goal on their first drive. The Colts took advantage of a favorable field position following a poor punt from the Titans, resulting in a passing touchdown, only the second allowed by the Titans that season. Rob Bironas successfully kicked a 44–yard field goal but failed to capitalize on a chance to take the lead after missing a 43–yard attempt following an interception by Peyton Manning. The Colts went into halftime with a slim 7–6 lead.[136] During the third quarter, Manning threw 19–yard touchdown pass. In response, the Titans orchestrated an 80–yard drive over 14 plays, equalizing the score at 14–14 with a rushing touchdown followed by a successful 2–point conversion. Titans LB Stephen Tulloch made a stop on 4th–and–1, which led to a 48–yard field goal for the Titans. Former Colts CB Nick Harper, now with the Titans, disrupted a pass on 4th–and–2, leading to another touchdown for the Titans. An interception by DB Chris Hope allowed the Titans to score again, extending their lead to 31–14. In the final minutes, Manning scrambled for a touchdown, but the Titans recovered the onside kick attempt, securing a 31–21 victory.[137]
Despite the Colt's resurgence, the Titans secured the AFC South title after defeating the Browns, ending the Colts' five–year divisional reign.[12][138] They later claimed the top seed in the AFC after defeating the Steelers.[139] However, the Colts managed to clinch the 5th seed in the playoffs after defeating the Jaguars, now having an eight–game win streak.[140] The Titans and Colts faced off in a meaningless season–ending matchup at their newly opened Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts blanked the Titans 23–0, extending their winning streak to nine games.[141] In the playoffs, the Titans suffered an upset at the hands of the 6th seeded Ravens,[142] while the Colts once again fell to the Chargers in overtime.[143]
2009: Colts resume their dominance
[edit]In the 2009 season, the Titans and Colts faced off in Nashville on Sunday Night, October 11. The Titans came into the game with a disappointing 0–4 record, as their top–ranked defense had plummeted to 31st in the league, allowing an average of 283.3 passing yards to opponents. On the other hand, the Colts have not lost since their loss to the Titans last season, boasting a thirteen–game regular season winning streak. With the best offense in the NFL, they led the league in passing with an average of 330.3 yards. The game demonstrated this disparity as the Colts dominated the Titans to a 31–9 victory, extending their regular season winning–streak to fourteen games. Peyton Manning finished with 309 yards and three touchdown passes.[144]
During a Rally for Rocketown luncheon at Lipscomb University, former Colts coach Tony Dungy introduced Jeff Fisher. In a surprising moment, Fisher removed his jacket and shirt to reveal a Manning jersey, stating, "I just wanted to feel like a winner." This got a negative reaction from Titans fans as their team that had Super Bowl aspirations was currently 0–6 and coming off a shellacking 59–0 defeat to the Patriots.[145][146] Fisher addressed the situation on his weekly radio show 103.3-FM, saying "It was for a very, very worthwhile cause, charity. I was introducing Tony, just having fun with it and I really apologize if I offended anybody, but if you're offended over the nature of that type of thing, then I think you need to rethink things. This is a very worthwhile and needy benefit and I was honored to be there. I'm sorry if I offended anybody but if I had to do it again, I would do it again."[147]
With an 11–0 record, the Colts entered their matchup against the Titans on December 6 in Indianapolis boasting a twenty–game regular season winning streak. On the other hand, the Titans had bounced back from a rough start and were riding a five–game winning streak. Despite trailing in their recent games, the Colts took a 24–10 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Colts' defense effectively neutralized the Titans' offense, successfully halting the Titans on two occasions during fourth down attempts within the Colts' red zone, leading to a 27–17 victory for the Colts. This win snapped the Titans' five–game winning streak and extended the Colts' regular season winning streak to twenty–one.[148]
The Colts' impressive winning streak came to an end with a 29–15 loss to the Jets, concluding their regular season winning streak at twenty–three wins, an NFL record.[149] The Colts ended the season with a 14–2 record, securing the top seed in the AFC and achieving the best overall record in the league.[150] Despite a strong finish, the Titans fell short of making the playoffs with an 8–8 record.[151] In the postseason, the Colts overcame the Ravens and got their revenge against the Jets to advance to their fourth Super Bowl appearance and second as an Indianapolis–based team.[150] However, despite being the favorites in Super Bowl XLIV, the Colts were defeated 31–17 by the New Orleans Saints, who claimed their first championship title.[152]
2010: Final Peyton Manning season
[edit]In what would be his final season with the Colts, Peyton Manning concluded the 2010 season with impressive stats. He went 25–of–35 for 319 yards and two touchdowns, earning a passer rating of 118.6 in a 30–28 victory against the Titans in Nashville on Thursday Night, December 9.[153] In the season finale in Indianapolis on January 2, Manning finished 27–of–41 for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns, achieving a passer rating of 100.1. Notably, he led a drive down the field with 1:25 remaining to set up a game–winning field goal in a 23–20 victory.[154] During his tenure with the Colts, Manning achieved a passer rating of 102.2, throwing for 4,559 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in the 18 games he played against the Titans.[155] He ended with a 13–5 record against them, playing a pivotal role in the Colts' success and contributing to their dominance over the Titans in their rivalry.[156] Despite his dominance, some Titans fans admired Manning due to his college career at Tennessee Volunteers football.[157][158]
2011: Colts Struggle
[edit]Following Peyton Manning's neck surgery, he did not start in any games for the Colts in the 2011 NFL season, leading to significant struggles for the team.[159] Entering their matchup against the Titans at Nashville on October 30, the Colts entered with a 0–7 record. The team's highly–ranked offense and defense from the previous season has declined.[160] The Colts' luck did not improve in this game, with penalties and turnovers contributing to a 27–10 victory for the Titans.[161]
When the Colts faced the Titans once more on December 18 in Indianapolis, they had a winless record of 0–13, not having won since defeating the Titans last season. In contrast, the Titans, with a 7–6 record, were in a good position to clinch a playoff spot. The first half saw no touchdowns, with the Titans holding a 6–3 at halftime. In the second half, the Colts capitalized on a favorable field position following a poor Titans punt to score the game's first touchdown. CB Jacob Lacey then returned an interception 32 yards for a pick–six. Following another Titans punt, the Colts drove down the field for a 40–yard field goal, scoring 17 unanswered points to a 20–6 lead with 12:53 remaining. In the final four minutes, the Titans scored their first touchdown. However, on the first play of the next drive, Colts' RB Donald Brown broke free from a potential tackle and sprinted 80 yards for a touchdown. After the Colts stopped the Titans on fourth down, Colts players and fans can be seen celebrating, as they secured a 27–13 victory and ended their thirteen–game losing streak with their first win of the season.[162]
The Titans closed out the season with a 9–7 record but fell short of making the playoffs.[163] Meanwhile, the Colts ended the season with a dismal 2–14 record, earning the 1st overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.[164]
2012–2018: Andrew Luck's perfect record
[edit]2012: Andrew Luck makes his debut
[edit]The Colts were widely expected to select Stanford QB Andrew Luck as the number one pick, leading to the release of Peyton Manning.[165] Manning became a free agent and garnered interest from several teams, including the Titans. Titans owner Bud Adams expressed his desire to sign Manning, stating "I'd love to see him in Titan blue after watching him so many years with the Colts... I want him. I am ready to do what it takes to get him aboard." After a few days, Adams flew Manning out to Tennessee for meetings and videos to learn about the organization and coaches. Subsequently, Manning and Titans' WR Marc Mariani arranged a private workout at Webb School of Knoxville.[166] Ultimately, Manning chose to sign with the Broncos.[167] In the 2012 NFL draft, the Colts drafted Andrew Luck.[168]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/80/Andrew_Luck_vs._Redskins_2018.jpg/220px-Andrew_Luck_vs._Redskins_2018.jpg)
In the 2012 season, Luck made his debut against the Titans on October 28 in Nashville. The Titans led 13–6 going into the 4th quarter. But then, Luck orchestrated an 80–yard touchdown drive, tying the game with 3:24 left. On their next drive, the Titans missed a potential touchdown pass, and rather than attempt a game–winning 58–yard field goal, they punted, sending the game into overtime. The Colts won the toss and started at their own 20–yard line. Donald Brown rushed for 39 yards on the first six plays. Luck then completed a 20–yard pass to WR Reggie Wayne on 3rd–and–8. A screen pass to RB Vick Ballard resulted in a 16–yard touchdown, securing a 19–13 victory for the Colts. In his first game against the Titans, Luck finished 26–of–38 for 297 yards and two touchdowns.[169]
When the two teams met again in Indianapolis on December 9, the Colts emerged as a surprising playoff contender.[170] The first half saw the Colts struggle, with Luck throwing an interception that was returned for a 40–yard touchdown, allowing the Titans to take a 20–7 lead at halftime. However, Luck rallied the Colts in the 3rd quarter, leading them on a 14–play, 80–yard touchdown drive. A pick–six by the Titans on their own 1–yard line gave the Colts a 21–20 lead, ultimately leading to a 27–23 victory for Indianapolis.[171]
2013–2016: Andrew Luck begins his dominance
[edit]During the 2014 season, Andrew Luck delivered his best performance against the Titans on September 28 in Indianapolis. He completed 29–of–41 passes, amassing 393 yards, four touchdowns, and achieving a passer rating of 123.3, leading the Colts to a decisive 44–17 victory over the Titans.[172] In the season finale held in Nashville, the Colts secured a 27–10 victory against the Titans that allowed them to sweep their division for the second consecutive year. This defeat marked the Titans' tenth consecutive loss.[173]
In the 2015 season, the Colts played against the Titans on September 27 in Nashville. On a 3rd–and–20 play, Andrew Luck successfully passed to WR T.Y. Hilton for a 48–yard gain to Tennessee's 1–yard line, which led to a rushing touchdown. Early in the second quarter, Titans QB Marcus Mariota, drafted second overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft, attempted a pass into coverage that was deflected and intercepted by DB Dwight Lowery, who returned it 69 yards for a pick–six. Later, while in Colts territory on a 2nd–and–17 situation, Mariota appeared to connect with WR Kendall Wright for a first down, but the play was ruled incomplete due to Wright stepping out of bounds, resulting in the Titans settling for a field goal for their first points. Just before halftime, Mariota led an impressive 83–yard touchdown drive, which included two successful conversions on 3rd–and–10. The Colts were advancing rapidly into Tennessee's territory but ran out of time, ending the half with a score of 14–10 in favor of the Colts. In the third quarter, Mariota led a drive that culminated in a rushing touchdown. On the subsequent possession, Luck was intercepted by DB Perrish Cox, who returned it to the Colts' 3–yard line, setting the stage for a Titans touchdown. In a bold decision on 4th–and–10 from their 20–yard line, the Colts executed a fake punt, with P Pat McAfee successfully running to the 38–yard line. However, Luck would be intercepted by OLB Zach Brown, who returned it 45 yards to the Colts' 13–yard line. On 4th–and–1, the Titans reached the 1–yard line, but an incomplete pass from Mariota and two failed rushing attempts forced the Titans to settle for a 21–yard field goal, increasing their lead to 27–14 and marking 27 consecutive points scored. In the fourth quarter, the Titans made their way to the Indianapolis 30–yard line; however, the Colts' defense pushed them back and forced a punt that resulted in the Colts taking possession at their 2–yard line. Nevertheless, Luck drove the Colts slowly into Tennessee territory. A false start and a subsequent sack put the Colts in a 3rd–and–20 situation on Tennessee's 35–yard line, but Luck found WR Phillip Dorsett for a 35–yard touchdown pass, marking the Colts' first points of the second half. On the following drive, Mariota was intercepted again by Lowery, who returned the ball to Tennessee's 11–yard line, allowing Luck to throw another touchdown pass and put the Colts back in the lead. The Colts forced a 3–and–out from the Titans, and just two plays later, they were deep in Titans territory, ultimately scoring another touchdown. Although the Titans had 0 yards so far in the fourth quarter, they finally drove down the field and scored a touchdown with less than a minute remaining. To tie the game, the Titans attempted a two–point conversion, which initially failed, but a defensive pass interference call on CB Jalil Brown granted them another opportunity from the 1–yard line. On their second try, FB Jalston Fowler's rushing attempt was halted. The Colts then recovered the onside kick, clinching a dramatic 35–33 victory.[174] After three quarters, Luck had completed 7–of–17 passes for 116 yards and two interceptions. However, in the fourth quarter, he completed 11–of–13 passes for 144 yards two touchdowns.[175] The Colts triumphed over the Titans in the season finale in Indianapolis, securing a 30–24 victory and sweeping the Titans for a fourth straight year. The loss also granted the Titans the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.[176]
In the 2016 season, on October 23 in Nashville, Luck led his team to victory against the Titans with a final score of 34–26. Luck's performance included 353 yards, three touchdowns, and his fourth game–winning drive against the Titans. A notable moment occurred when Adam Vinatieri made his 43rd consecutive field goal, setting an NFL record.[177] The two teams faced off again on November 20 in Indianapolis, with the Colts winning 24–17, their eleventh consecutive win over the Titans and fifth straight season sweep. However, Vinatieri's missed 43–yard field goal ended his NFL record streak of 44 consecutive successful field goals.[178] When questioned about the disappointment of losing once more to the Colts, DE Jurrell Casey, a member of the Titans since 2011, expressed, "Very frustrating, especially for a guy like me who has been playing against the Colts for the last six years and probably got one win over these guys, it sucks. It hurts deeply inside especially for me personally having to lose to (Andrew) Luck again"[179]
2017: Titans finally win
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6d/Marcus_Mariota_2018.jpg/220px-Marcus_Mariota_2018.jpg)
In the 2017 season, Luck underwent shoulder surgery, causing him to miss the season.[180] The Colts faced off against the Titans on Monday Night, October 16 in Nashville, with QB Jacoby Brissett leading the Colts. In the 3rd quarter, Colts' LB John Simmon intercepted Marcus Mariota and ran 26 yards for a pick–six, but the extra point was missed, giving the Colts a 19–9 lead. The Titans responded with a field goal drive. Despite regaining possession after a Colts fumble and reaching the Colts' 4–yard line, the Titans settled for a field goal following a defensive stop. Mariota led the Titans on a touchdown drive, which featured a 4th–and–1 rush and a 3rd–and–12 pass, to give the Titans a 22–19 lead. On the kickoff, Colts' WR Quan Bray sprinted 60 yards to Tennessee's 40–yard line, creating an advantageous position for a field goal that leveled the score. Mariota responded by connecting with WR Taywan Taylor for a 53–yard touchdown pass. Facing a 4th–and–1 on Tennessee's 13–yard line, Brissett attempted to run, but LB Wesley Woodyard halted him, and a replay review upheld a turnover on downs. In the final minute of the game, RB Derrick Henry sprinted 72 yards for a touchdown, securing a 36–22 victory for the Titans and ending an eleven–game losing streak against the Colts.[181] Mariota completed 23–of–32 passes for 306 yards, while Henry rushed for 131 yards on 19 attempts, collectively helping the Titans amass total of 473 yards, marking their highest yardage in a game against the Colts.[182] After the game, Titans players conveyed their relief at breaking the losing streak while also minimizing its significance. Mariota remarked, "People can stop talking about that and just move on," while Woodyard added, "We feel like every game's a must-win, but this was definitely a must-win, especially with the 11-game streak on the line. We came in and answered the call."[183][184]
Struggling without Luck, the Colts entered their second matchup against the Titans on November 26 in Indianapolis with a 3–7 record, whereas the Titans had a 6–4 record. Despite two Titans field goals, two interceptions thrown by Mariota helped the Colts take a 13–6 lead at halftime. Another field goal by the Colts at the beginning of the third quarter extended their lead to 16–6. However, a fumble by the Colts at their 4–yard line allowed the Titans to score an easy touchdown. In the final minutes, Mariota and Henry orchestrated a 77–yard touchdown drive, putting the Titans ahead. The Titans then forced the Colts into a three–and–out and proceeded to run down the clock, ultimately securing a 20–16 victory, ending a nine–game losing streak in Indianapolis, and recording their first win at Lucas Oil Stadium. Additionally, this marked the first time since the 2002 season that the Titans swept the Colts, a span of fifteen years.[185][186] The Titans recorded eight sacks against Jacoby Brissett, marking their highest number of sacks against the Colts in a single game.[187] The Titans would go on to make the playoffs while the Colts didn't, marking the first occurrence of this scenario in a season.[2][3]
2018: Showdown for the final playoff spot and final Andrew Luck season
[edit]During the 2018 season, the Colts faced the Titans on November 18 in Indianapolis, with Andrew Luck leading the team as quarterback once again. Luck continued his dominance over the Titans, as he and the defense guided the Colts to a dominating 38–10 victory. Luck's performance included completing 23–of–29 passes for 297 yards and throwing three touchdown passes, resulting in a passer rating of 143.8. This victory also extended Luck's unbeaten record against the Titans to 10–0.[188]
Following a disappointing 1–5 start for the Colts, they turned it around and went 8–1 for the remainder of the season.[189] This brought them to a 9–6 record, tying them with the Titans as they headed into the final week. The Texans clinched the AFC South title with their earlier victory against the Jaguars, which meant the two teams faced off in a winner–take–all showdown game on December 30 in Nashville, with the victor securing the last spot in the playoffs to challenge the Texans, and the defeated team being knocked out of playoff contention.[190] Unfortunately, for the Titans, Mariota was ruled out for the game due to an elbow injury sustained during the previous week's victory against the Washington Redskins.[191]
The Colts opened the scoring with two touchdown passes, establishing a 14–0 advantage. However, Luck threw a pick–six, marking the Titans' initial points. A mishandled punt by the Titans allowed the Colts to regain possession at Tennessee's 9–yard line, but a fumble quickly returned the ball to the Titans. The teams then traded field goals, leading to a halftime score of 17–10 in favor of the Colts. The Colts scored a touchdown on the opening possession. After a while, a 33–yard run by Derrick Henry paved the way for a touchdown pass by the Titans. An interception by the Titans resulted in a field goal for the Colts, giving them a 27–17 lead with less than four minutes remaining. Penalties had the Titans facing a 4th–and–14 on their 9–yard line, which they failed to convert. The Colts sealed the game with a rushing touchdown, winning 33–17, clinching the 6th seed following a rough start to the season, and eliminating the Titans.[192] Luck accumulated 285 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also maintained his flawless record against the Titans, improving it to 11–0.[193] In the playoffs, the Colts emerged victorious against the Texans but suffered a defeat against the Chiefs.[189]
This turned out to be the final season for Andrew Luck, as he unexpectedly retired the subsequent offseason.[194] Luck amassed 2,935 yards, 21 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, and a passer rating of 98.4 over the 11 games he faced the Titans, going undefeated against them.[195] His exceptional performance and unblemished streak against the Titans significantly contributed to the Colts' overall success.[13][14][196]
2019–Present: A more balanced rivalry
[edit]2019: Post Andrew Luck
[edit]The 2019 NFL draft was held in Nashville, Tennessee, attracting a significant number of Titans fans. Seizing the opportunity, former Colts players Reggie Wayne and Pat McAfee decided to playfully mock the Titans supporters present. As Wayne faced boos upon taking the stage, he quipped, "I know you not booin'. C'mon Tennessee. Y'all done played the Colts 20 times in 10 years and you won three games. Stop it." Following the Colts' selection, he continued his comments by saying, “We straight? We good? Cause I got clips. I got heat. Aight, we straight.” When McAfee took his turn at the microphone, he stated, "I'm not going to say a single word about the Tennessee Titans record against the Indianapolis Colts because I was a punter and there's no reason to talk about that. With that being said, we did not punt much against the Tennessee Titans so you probably have no clue who I am to begin."[197]
After Andrew Luck's surprising retirement, the Colts announced Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback for the 2019 season.[198] They met the Titans on September 15 in Nashville. Near the start of the fourth quarter, the Titans were in a great position to take a 20–13 lead, but their 45–yard field goal attempt sailed to the left. A 55–yard run by RB Jordan Wilkins led to a Colts touchdown, and the Colts' defense stood against the Titans to hold on to a 19–17 victory.[199] The two teams met again on December 1 in Indianapolis. Due to Mariota's struggles, the Titans have appointed QB Ryan Tannehill, who was recently acquired, as the starting quarterback.[200] The first half was marked by mistakes from both sides, as the Titans committed two fumbles, including one on the very first play, while the Colts failed to convert two field goal attempts—one was missed and the other was blocked. As the fourth quarter drew to a close, the Colts tried to regain the lead with a field goal, but it was blocked and returned for a touchdown by the Titans. Another interception by Brissett led to yet another touchdown, culminating in a Titans victory with a final score of 31–17.[201]
2020–2021: Competing for the AFC South
[edit]During the 2020 season, both teams were in contention for the AFC South title when they faced off on Thursday Night Football on November 12, in Nashville. Although the Titans initially led and forced two turnovers on downs during 4th–and–1 situations for the Colts, including one at Tennessee's 1–yard line, the performance of the Titans' special teams faltered. The Colts capitalized on a poor 17–yard punt, which gave them the ball in Tennessee territory, into a touchdown. A blocked Titans' punt was returned for a touchdown. A subsequent 44–yard field goal attempt sailed wide right, which led to another Colts touchdown drive, ultimately securing a 34–17 Colts victory.[202] The two teams faced off once more on November 29 in Indianapolis. Each team found the end zone on their initial four drives, but the Titans' offense surged, adding three additional touchdowns to establish a commanding 35–14 lead by halftime. Derrick Henry was a standout performer, amassing 140 rushing yards and scoring three touchdowns against the league's second–ranked defense. Ultimately, the Titans secured a 45–26 win.[203] The 45 points established a new record for the most points the Titans have scored in a game against the Colts.[204]
As the final week approached, both teams held identical 10–5 records, vying for the AFC South title.[205] Initially holding a better record than the Titans, the Colts relinquished a 17–point lead to the Steelers the previous week and ultimately lost 28–24.[206] As a result, the Titans now hold the upper hand. Should both teams end the season with the same record, the Titans would secure the tiebreaker due to their better divisional record compared to the Colts, which is influenced by the Colts' earlier loss to the Jaguars, a team that has not achieved a victory since that match. Furthermore, earlier in the day, the Dolphins' defeat to the Bills ensured that the Titans had secured a playoff spot, while the Colts required a win to achieve the same.[207][208] The Titans were set to face the Texans, while the Colts were set to face the Jaguars.[205] Although the Colts–Jaguars matchup was more competitive than anticipated, the Colts secured their victory with a decisive 45–yard touchdown run in the final minutes, ending the game at 28–14.[209] In contrast, the Titans and Texans engaged in a high–scoring affair, with both offenses connecting for touchdowns in the second half, and the Titans even relinquishing a 16–point lead. Ultimately, the Titans triumphed with a 37–yard game–winning field goal, winning the game 41–38 and clinching their first AFC South title since 2008.[210] As a result of the NFL's playoff expansion during the offseason, the Colts were placed as the 7th seed, making them the inaugural 7th seed in the AFC.[211] During the playoffs, the Titans were defeated by the Ravens, and the Colts fell to the Bills.[212]
During the 2021 season, the Colts faced the Titans on September 26 in Nashville. Despite the Titans committing three turnovers, the Colts scored only one touchdown throughout the game, resulting in a 25–16 defeat.[213] On Halloween, October 31, the two teams faced off once more in Indianapolis. The Colts opened the game with a scoring drive. Ryan Tannehill's pass was intercepted and was swiftly turned into another Colts touchdown, establishing a 14–0 advantage within the first five minutes. The Colts attempted a 4th–and–3 play at Tennessee's 40–yard line but were halted, and the Titans soon scored their first points with a touchdown drive. On their next possession, Tannehill was hit as he threw and intercepted by DE Tyquan Lewis. However, Lewis lost control of the ball, allowing the Titans to recover and secure a new set of downs. On the subsequent play, Tannehill found WR A.J. Brown, who sprinted 57 yards for a touchdown. The Colts concluded the first half with a field goal, leading 17–14. In the game's closing moments, Colts' QB Carson Wentz threw a pick–six, allowing the Titans to take a 31–24 lead with under two minutes remaining. The Colts regained possession with 1:26 left on the clock and advanced down the field. On a 3rd–and–16, Wentz completed a 38–yard pass, and a defensive pass interference call against S Kevin Byard placed the ball at the Titans' 1–yard line, where the Colts rushed for a touchdown, forcing the game into overtime. During overtime, both teams went 3–and–out on their first possession. On the Colts' second possession, Wentz threw an interception to Byard, allowing the Titans to take over in Indianapolis territory. The Titans then successfully kicked a 44–yard field goal to secure a 34–31 victory, marking their first sweep of the Colts since the 2017 season.[214]
Following the game, it was revealed that Derrick Henry had sustained a Jones fracture in his foot, necessitating surgery and sidelining him for the remainder of the regular season.[215] In spite of this setback and other injuries, the Titans clinched their second consecutive AFC South title and achieved the top seed in the AFC for the first time since the 2008 season, following a season–finale victory of 28–25 over the Texans.[216] Conversely, although the Colts were in a favorable position to reach the playoffs, they suffered defeats in their last two games. A defeat against the Las Vegas Raiders secured the AFC South for the Titans,[217] followed by a surprising loss to the 2–14 Jaguars, which resulted in the Colts missing the playoffs.[218] Consequently, Titans fans took the opportunity to mock the Colts for their Jaguars loss.[219]
2022: Titans continue their win streak
[edit]During the NFL owners meeting, Colts owner Jim Irsay reflected on convening his entire coaching staff and scouts at his facility after the team's 25–16 loss to the Titans in Nashville for what he termed a 'come–to–Jesus meeting' to address Tennessee "kicking their ass". Irsay expressed his frustration, stating, “It was ‘Do you like to be on a leash? Do you like to be subjugated, dominated? Do you like to keep getting your ass kicked? They kick out ass and they have been kicking our ass. We've got to get past that." He further expressed his challenge to the team, stating "I challenged all those guys in there. ‘You guys are just getting your ass kicked and you’re not doing anything about it. ‘Yeah, we’ll get ‘em next time.’ Not good enough. Who's going to stand up and stop them?"[220] Additionally, Irsay reiterated his message to the team as he spoke to them prior to the training camp in July. “He told us straight up: they’re the bullies,” stated DT DeForest Buckner. “They wanna come into our place and bully us and out–physical us and establish dominance. And it’s true. The past three games against us, they got the better of us.” Furthermore, a prevailing sentiment expressed by players in the Colts' locker room over the past few years has been that the Titans were the most physically dominant team they faced.[6]
In the 2022 season, on October 2 in Indianapolis, the two teams faced off, and although the Titans were held scoreless in the second half, the Colts failed to take advantage, resulting in a 24–17 victory for the Titans.[221] Following the game, Kevin Byard addressed Jim Irsay's offseason remarks, stating, “I’m sure he’s upset. We’ve been able to win the division the past couple years, so he understands the division is going to go through the Colts and the Titans. I’m sure he wanted to get the win, but we had to get this ‘W.’"[222] On October 23, the two teams faced off again in Nashville. The Titans' offense reencountered difficulties, failing to score a touchdown throughout the game and depending solely on field goals. Meanwhile, the Colts were unable to take advantage of this opportunity, committing three turnovers, which included one pick–six, and managing only one touchdown, resulting in a 19–10 win for the Titans. This victory ensured that the Titans swept the Colts for the second consecutive year extending their winning streak against the Colts to five games. After the game, Byard revisited Irsay's remarks, stating, "To sweep them two years in a row, obviously after their owner (Jim Irsay) makes all these statements about, 'We've got to beat the Titans' and stuff like that. It feels really good, and we're definitely going to celebrate this."[223]
2023–Present: Colts regain competitive edge
[edit]During the 2023 season, the Colts faced off against the Titans on October 8 in Indianapolis. In the final minutes, the Titans were halted on a 4th–and–1 at the Colts' 5–yard line. Subsequently, the Colts scored a field goal and intercepted Tannehill's pass, securing a 23–16 victory and breaking their five–game losing streak against the Titans.[224] They later met on December 3 in Nashville. The Colts made five trips into the Titans' red zone but only managed to score one touchdown, three field goals, and had one fumble, narrowly holding a 17–16 lead. In the last minutes of the third quarter, a Titans punt was blocked and returned for an 18–yard touchdown. the Colts opted for a two–point conversion, but the pass was deflected off RB Zack Moss's hands and intercepted by S Amani Hooker, who returned it for two points for the Titans. On the next drive, another Titans punt was blocked, giving the Colts the ball at the Tennessee 7–yard line. They advanced to the 1–yard line but ended up kicking a field goal following a sack. The Titans then moved down the field and scored a touchdown, but their PAT attempt failed, resulting in a 25–25 tie instead of a lead. With no scoring in the final minutes, the game went into overtime. In overtime, the Titans kicked a field goal, but the Colts quickly responded with a 5–play, 75–yard drive, featuring a 55–yard completion to WR Alec Pierce that set up a touchdown at the Titans' 4–yard line, securing a 31–28 victory.[225] This win marked the Colts' first sweep of the Titans since the 2018 season. Following the game, Colts' WR Michael Pittman Jr. conveyed his satisfaction with the Colts' sweep, remarking, “It really feels good to beat them [Titans] back to back because they beat us back to back, and we’ve been trading off," Pittman said of sweeping the Titans. "So it feels good to give it back to them.”[226]
Season–by–season results
[edit]Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Season–by–Season Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1970s (Tie, 2–2)
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1980s (Colts, 4–3)
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1990s (Oilers/Titans 3–1)
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2000s (Colts, 11–5)
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2010s (Colts, 16–4)
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2020s (Titans, 5–3)
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Summary of Results
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See also
[edit]References
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