Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Friday, December 7, 2012
(Indianapolis, IN) - The Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans resume their AFC South rivalry this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
The two teams have gone in different directions since the Colts 19-13 overtime win in Nashville during week eight of the regular season.
Indianapolis have strung together an 8-4 record and have the inside track on securing the top wildcard spot in the six-team AFC playoffs.
The 4-8 Titans are in position to miss the postseason for the fourth straight year and have lost all four games played against division opponents, including last weekend's 24-10 loss to the Houston Texans.
Quarterback Jake Locker was sacked five times by the Houston defense and was responsible for three interceptions and two lost fumbles. Locker could struggle again after offensive linemen Steve Hutchinson and David Stewart suffered season ending injuries last weekend against the AFC South leaders.
Running back Chris Johnson was limited to 51 rushing yards against Houston but will get his fair share of carries against the Colts Sunday.
The 2009 rushing title winner has a 103 rushing yards-per-game career average against Indianapolis and netted 99 yards in their first contest this season.
The Colts have won 7-8 games decided by eight points or fewer and have masked their offensive miscues so far this season. Indianapolis have a minus-17 giveaway-to-takeaway ratio and overcame a three interception game by Andrew Luck during last weekend's 35-33 improbable comeback victory against the Detroit Lions.
The Colts will try and establish their running game without Donald Brown, who Interim Head Coach Bruce Arians ruled out Wednesday with an ankle injury. Brown's absence will increase the work load for Vick Ballard, who has 601 yards and two scores from scrimmage during his rookie campaign with the Colts.
Offensive lineman Winston Justice was limited in practice yesterday with a concussion and is questionable for Sunday's game. Lineman Joe Reitz is also questionable with a concussion and has not practiced this week.
Safety Tom Zbikowski has been ruled out with a knee injury and safety Antione Bethea did not practice Thursday with an injured neck.
The Colts are 22-13 all-time against the Titans and have won 15 of the last 19 contests between the two teams.
Kickoff Sunday is at 1:00.
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