Perfect Indianapolis Colts Look To Hold Of Surging Tennessee Titans

NFL News - December 1st, 2009 - Written by John

The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans are riding two of the most remarkable streaks in the NFL, and Sunday, one of those will finally to come to a halt.

The Colts are favored by 7 points when they host Vince Young and the Titans this week, according to the NFL Week 13 Betting Odds listed at BetUS, with a game total of 47.

The Indianapolis Colts tied the NFL-record 21-game winning streak set by the 2006-07 New England Patriots last week when they came back from a 17-point defecit at the hands of the Houston Texans.

They did it by taking advantage of a defense that Peyton Manning found to be a bit overzealous at times and relaxed after racing to the quick lead. He threw for 244 yards and three touchdowns in the win, getting one of his longest completions of the day when he saw Houston in a particularly celebratory mood. Via ProFootballTalk, Manning said he noticed several Texans players high fiving each other after making a big hit on Joseph Addai to end a short screen play. Manning called for a quick snap and apparently caught the defenders out of position for a 31-completion to Austin Collie.

It has been the same M.O. for Indianapolis, which is trying to become only the second team to win out in the regular season.

But the Tennessee Titans have their own winning streak to take care of. Since going 0-6 to start the year, they have won five straight with Young under center, winning last week on a miraculous 99-yard drive with three fourth-down conversions against the Arizona Cardinals. Young threw for a career-high 382 yards and threw a game-winning touchdown to Kenny Britt on fourth down as time expired.

As everyone jumps on the bandwagon, it was Chris Johnson who initially predicted the team could win 10 in a row and make the playoffs, something that is still implausible, but not impossible.

Johnson leads the league in rushing after racking up another 154 yards last week, including an 85-yard touchdown scamper against the Cardinals. He has 1,396 yards on the year and, with five games left, could very well reach the 2,000-yard plateau. He is projected for 2,031 at the moment.

But Tennessee was pounded by Indianapolis earlier in the year, 31-9, and Johnson was held to just 34 yards on nine carries. It was the last time he was held to less than 100 yards this year.

The Colts have only allowed three 100-yard rushers this season, and one since the second week of the season.

Manning only needs just over 500 yards to reach 4,000 on the year.

With a win, the Titans can reach .500 for the first time this year, and give Young his 10th-straight win as a starter.