User:WikiGiancarloC2/sandbox

Colts–Titans rivalry

Indianapolis Colts Tennessee Titans
Location	Indianapolis, Nashville
First meeting	October 11, 1970 Colts 24, Oilers 20
Latest meeting	December 3, 2023 Colts 31, Titans 28
Next meeting	2024
Stadiums	Colts: Lucas Oil Stadium Titans: Nissan Stadium
Statistics
Meetings total	59
All-time series	Colts: 37–22
Largest victory	Colts: 35–3 (2005) Titans: 45–26 (2020)
Longest win streak	Colts: 11 (2011–2016) Titans: 5 (2020–2022)
Current win streak	Colts: 2
Championship Success
Super Bowl Championships (2) Colts (2) – 1970, 2006 Titans (0) Super Bowl Appearances (4) Colts (4) – 1968, 1970, 2006, 2009 Titans (1) – 1999 Conference Championships Appearances (12) Colts (7) – 1970, 1971, 1995, 2003, 2006, 2009, 2014 Titans (5) – 1978, 1979, 1999, 2002, 2019 Division Championships (14) Colts – 16 NFL Coastal (1): 1968 AFC East (6): 1970, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1987, 1999 AFC South (9): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014 Titans – 11 AFL Eastern (4): 1960, 1961, 1962, 1967 AFC Central (3): 1991, 1993, 2000 AFC South (4): 2002, 2008, 2020, 2021 Wild Card Berths (1970–Present) (22) Colts (9) – 1971, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2018, 2020, Titans (13) – 1978, 1979, 1980, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2017, 2019

150km
100miles

Titans

Colts

  

Locations of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans

The Colts–Titans rivalry is a National Football League (NFL) rivalry between the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans.

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 established and competing against each other over 20 years prior to the inception of the Jaguars and Texans. Although it gained prominence during the AFC South matchups in the 2000s, 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.

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.

Background

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.

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.

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.

1970–1983: Beginning

1970: First matchup

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.

The Oilers went 1–8–1 the rest of the season and concluded with a record of 3–10–1. 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.

1972–1973: Oilers' Eighteen–game losing streak and back–to–back one–win seasons

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, with the 26 points scored in the Jets game being their highest total for the entire season. 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.

On November 4, the team went up against the Colts in Baltimore, who were also struggling with a 2–5 record. 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 linebacker 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.

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). 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. 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. Interestingly, the Colts would go 1–15 in their 1991 season, with their only win being against the Jets.

1976–1983: Struggles and last Baltimore game

Making their debut on Monday Night Football, the Colts seized the opportunity to avenge their previous matchup against the Oilers. On November 1, amidst the 1976 season, the Colts showcased their dominance in Baltimore, leading 31–0 going into the 4th quarter before winning 38–14.

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. In the shortened players' strike 1982 NFL season, the Colts went winless, finishing with a 0–8–1 record. Following a wild card defeat to the eventual Super Bowl Champions Raiders in the 1980 season, the Oilers endured consecutive losing seasons, including a 17–game losing streak from 1982–1983. 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. He later expressed his desire to play for a West Coast team, ruling out the Oilers. 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.

Future hall–of–Famer Eric Dickerson declined to play for the Oilers, opting instead to be drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. Nevertheless, contract disagreements resulted in him joining the Colts in the 1987 season.

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. Worried about his intentions, the Oilers traded their second–overall pick to the Los Angeles Rams, who subsequently selected Dickerson. Dickerson set multiple rushing records during his time with the Rams. Notably, contract disputes with the Rams led to his trade to the Colts in the 1987 season.

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. It is worth mentioning that the 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. 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.

800km
500miles

Oilers

Colts

  

Before they relocated, the Colts were based in Baltimore and the Titans (formerly Oilers) were based in Houston.

1984–1994: Colts relocate to Indianapolis and more struggles

Colts relocate to Indianapolis

See also: Baltimore Colts relocation to Indianapolis

Colts owner Robert Irsay expressed dissatisfaction with the Baltimore Memorial Stadium, deeming it outdated, and sought the construction of a new stadium. After several years of no advancements being made on a new stadium project, Irsay initiated negotiations with Indianapolis and its mayor about relocation. After the Maryland Senate approved a bill granting the city of Baltimore the authority to acquire the Colts through eminent domain, 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.

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. Interesting to note, the Ravens' final home game at Baltimore Memorial Stadium was against the Tennessee Oilers. Furthermore, the Oilers' final game as a professional football team in Houston was against the Baltimore Ravens.

1984–1986: First matchups as an Indianapolis team and continued struggles

During the 1984 season, the Colts faced off against the Oilers in Houston on September 9th, 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.

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 as both teams finished with a 5–11 record. This win marked the first time the Colts had secured consecutive victories since their move from Baltimore before the 1984 season.

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." The Colts would later get their first win of the season against the Atlanta Falcons, snapping a thirteen–game losing streak.

1987–1989: Return to relevancy

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. 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. With the result, both teams now had identical records of 6–5.

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. 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. This marked the first time both teams qualified for the playoffs in the same season. During the playoffs, the Colts were defeated by the Browns in the Wild Card round, whereas the Oilers secured a victory with an overtime game–winning field goal against the Seahawks before falling to the eventual AFC Champions Broncos.

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 crucial 26–yard attempt with two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With the second half scoreless, the game went into overtime, marking the first overtime in their rivalry. 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.

After the New England Patriots' defeat by the Broncos, the Oilers clinched a spot in the postseason. 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Nevertheless, the Oilers would get their revenge as they knockout out the Browns with a narrow 24–23 victory.

1989–1993: Colts struggles; Oilers playoff struggles

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. 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. Their sole victory came against the Jets, reminiscent of the 1972 Oilers' situation. 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. Following a devastating 28–20 playoff loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, 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.

1994: Last Houston Oilers matchup

The 1994 season opener in Indianapolis saw the Colts facing off against an overhauled Oilers team. The Colts surged ahead with a 42-0 lead by the 4th quarter, scoring all six touchdowns with players who had recently joined the team. The game ended with a resounding 45-21 victory for the Colts, breaking the Oilers' eleven-game 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. Without Warren Moon, the Oilers struggled significantly for the rest of the season, finishing with a 2-14 record, a losing record, and missing the playoffs for the first time since the 1986 season. This game would turn out to be a significant moment for the Colts as they would never again play against the Oilers as a Houston team or under the name "Oilers" after this game.

1995–2001: Houston Oilers become Tennessee Titans, first playoff meeting

Oilers relocate to Tennessee

Colts owner Robert Irsay and Oilers owner Bud Adams (pictured here), were discontent with their existing stadium facilities. They sought a new stadium and initiated secret negotiations upon realizing their desires would not be met. Eventually, they reached an agreement with a promising city to relocate their teams there.

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. Upon realizing that a new stadium was unlikely, Adams shifted his focus to Nashville, a city that was experiencing growth. On November 16, 1995, Adams made the decision to move the Oilers to Nashville, Tennessee in time for the 1998 season. Nevertheless, poor attendance in Houston following the announcement led Adams to relocate the Oilers to Tennessee by the 1997 season. Houston did not acquire another NFL team until the 2002 season, when they welcomed the "Houston Texans".

1995–1999: No Regular Season Games

From 1995–1999, the Colts and Oilers did not face each other in the regular season due to their differing standings in their respective divisions. Following successful playoff runs in 1995 and 1996, including an unexpected appearance in the AFC Championship in 1995, the Colts experienced a significant decline with 3-13 records in the subsequent two seasons. The Colts, finishing with the worst record, secured the 1st overall pick in the 1998 NFL draft and selected Peyton Manning, a future hall-of-famer. In contrast, the Oilers managed to maintain an 8-8 record for three consecutive years despite their low attendance in Houston and Memphis.

In the 1999 season, the Oilers moved to the recently completed Adelphia Coliseum, (now known as Nissan Stadium). By rebranding themselves as the "Tennessee Titans," the team fully embraced their new home in Nashville. 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. In the offensive side, QB Steve McNair, who was selected in the 1995 draft, passed for 2,179 yards and twelve touchdowns. RB Eddie George achieved another 1,000 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive season. On the defensive end, rookie Jevon "The Freak" Kearse stood out by leading the team with 14.5 quarterback sacks and recording over fifty tackles in his debut season. Meanwhile, the Colts finished one of the biggest NFL turnarounds in NFL history, concluding the season with a 13-3 record. They clinched the AFC East and claimed the 2nd seed in the playoffs. On the offensive side, 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. On the defensive front, DE Chad Bratzke recorded 12 sacks, while LB Cornelius Bennett had 114 tackles and five sacks. In the playoffs, the Titans faced the Bills and defeated them 22-16 on a famous last minute play to advanced. The Colts and the Titans were set to face off in a playoff game, marking their first postseason meeting.

https://www.tennesseetitans.com/video/nfl-100-greatest-teams-no-91-1999-tennessee-titans

2000 AFC Divisional playoff game

RB Eddie George rushed for 162 yards on 26 carries as he helped contribute to the Titans playoff win over the Colts. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly his 68-yard touchdown run, which proved to be the turning point in the game.

The Colts entered the game as the favorites to emerge victorious over the Titans, as indicated by their -6 line. This marked the first playoff game for the Colts taking place at Indianapolis.

In the playoff game, the Colts secured the first points with a 40-yard field goal by K Mike Vanderjagt, taking a 3-0 lead. In the 2nd quarter, K Al Del Greco kicked a 49-yard field goal to tie the game 3-3 for the Titans. Both teams then exchanged field goals, resulting in a 6-6 score. Just before halftime, Vanderjagt kicked a 34-yard field goal, giving the Colts a 9-6 lead at the half. The Titans managed to score the first touchdown of the game in the 3rd quarter, with Eddie George running 68 yards for a touchdown after receiving a key block from T Brad Hopkins, putting them ahead 13-9. Following a series of punts, the Titans managed to secure a 16-9 lead by the beginning of the fourth quarter after Greco successfully kicked a 25-yard field goal. The Colts appeared to have a significant breakthrough when Punt returner Terrance Wilkins returned an 87-yard punt, bringing them to the Titans' 3-yard line. However, the Titans, alerted by placekicker Al Del Greco and other team members, decided to challenge the play as they noticed Wilkins's right foot stepping out of bounds at the Colts' 34-yard line. The officials carefully reviewed the play using replay technology, and after referee Johnny Grier consulted with the officials in the booth, the return was nullified, and the ball was placed at the Colts' 34-yard line. The Titans further extended their lead by successfully converting another field goal, bringing the score to 19-9. With time running out, the Colts took a risk on 4th-and-4 from their own 43-yard line but were unsuccessful. In an attempt to run down the clock, the Titans relied on George to carry the ball, but he ended up fumbling it. The Colts' DE, Mark Thomas, recovered the ball at Indianapolis's 39-yard line. Manning then led a 61-yard drive and personally scored a touchdown by running up the middle, bringing the Colts first touchdown of the game and reducing the Titans' lead to 19-16. However, the Titans successfully recovered the Colts' onside kick and proceeded to run down the clock, ultimately winning their first playoff game against the Colts with a score of 19-16. The Titans defense effectively contained the Colts formidable offense, which was the top-ranked in the AFC and fourth in the league. Manning's performance saw him complete 19-of-43 passes for 227 yards, James struggled with 56 yards on 20 rushing attempts and 1 reception for 8 yards, and Harrison only caught five receptions for 65 yards.

The Titans went on to secure a victory against their AFC Central rival Jacksonville Jaguars for the third time that season, with a final score of 33-14. This win led them to their first Super Bowl appearance in franchise history. In Super Bowl XXXIV, the Titans suffered a devastating loss to the St. Louis Rams. Rams LB Mike Jones made a crucial tackle on Titans WR Kevin Dyson at the 1-yard line, securing a 23-16 victory for the Rams and granting them their first Super Bowl Championship.

2000-2001: Final seasons before becoming divisional rivals

In their last two season before they became divisional rivals, both teams made the playoffs in the 2000 season, losing in the wild card round. In the 2001 season, they both missed the playoffs entirely with losing records.

2002–2011: Divisional Rivals, AFC South clash, and Peyton Manning Dominance

AFC South Formation

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. 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. As a result, the Colts and Titans became divisional opponents, meeting twice annually – once in Indianapolis and once in Nashville.

2002–2003: First games as divisional rivals, clash for AFC South

QB Peyton Manning (left) and QB Steve McNair (right) regularly clashed for the AFC South title, leading their teams to the postseason and Super Bowl appearances. They were both named co-winners of the MVP award in the 2003 season. After McNair's departure, Manning went on to dominate the rivalry for the Colts.

In the 2002 season, the Colts and Titans faced off as divisional rivals for the first time on November 3 in Indianapolis. The game's first major play started with Titans DB Tank Williams forcing a fumble from FB Jim Finn, resulting in a Titans field goal and a 3-0 lead. The momentum continued as LB Peter Sirmon intercepted Peyton Manning, leading to a touchdown and a 10-0 lead for the Titans. Manning faced more pressure as he was sacked by Williams, fumbling the ball that was recovered by Titans LB Keith Bulluck for another touchdown, extending the Titans' lead to 17-0. After a field goal by the Titans, the Colts attempted to score before halftime, but Mike Vanderjagt missed a 46-yard field goal, leaving the Titans ahead 20-0 at halftime. The Titans began the second half by adding a field goal, increasing their lead to 23-0. The Colts managed to drive down to Tennessee's goal line, but on a crucial 4th-and-1 at the 1-yard line, RB James Mungro was stuffed, resulting in a turnover. 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, their defense was exceptional throughout the game, forcing three turnovers and keeping the Colts scoreless for three quarters, despite the Colts accumulating 378 yards on offense.

The two teams faced off once more on December 8 in Nashville, vying for the inaugural AFC South divisional championship. Despite the Colts' loss to the Titans, they were on a 4-game winning streak, while the Titans had a 3-1 record since their last encounter. This marked the Colts' first game in Tennessee. The Titans took an early 7-0 lead on the opening drive. By the beginning of the 2nd quarter, the Titans extended their lead to 14-0 with a touchdown. The Colts answered back with a touchdown of their own, only to have the Titans score another touchdown. The Colts managed to kick a field goal, making it a 21-10 lead for the Titans at halftime. Following a scoreless 3rd quarter, the Titans added a field goal at the start of the 4th quarter, increasing their lead to 24-10. The Colts drove down the field for a touchdown, but the Titans countered with a field goal, sealing the game with a 27-17 victory and sweeping the Colts in their first divisional matchups.

The Titans secured the inaugural AFC South title after defeating the Jaguars and with the Colts' loss to the New York Giants, becoming the first AFC team to clinch a playoff berth. Meanwhile, the Colts secured a place in the playoffs after winning their season finale against the Jaguars. In the playoffs, the Titans held the 2nd seed while the Colts held the 5th seed. The Colts were shutout against the Jets in the wild card round, whereas the Titans triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers in overtime but ultimately fell to the Raiders in the AFC Championship.

In the 2003 season, the two teams were once again clashing for the AFC South title when they met on December 7 at Nashville, both teams were 9-3 and coming off losses. The Titans' Steve McNair, leading the league in passer rating, had thrown 20 touchdowns with just six interceptions as the Titans were the NFL's fifth-highest scoring team. Meanwhile, the Colts' 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. The Colts won their first meeting on September 14 at Indianapolis 33-7, marking their first divisional win against the Titans. In spite of not scoring any touchdowns, the Colts managed to take a 12-10 lead at halftime by relying on Mike Vanderjagt's four field goal kicks. It wasn't until the 3rd quarter when Edgerrin James rushed for a touchdown that the Colts finally scored their first touchdown of the game. Later on, after a Titans field goal, James rushed for another touchdown, extending the Colts' lead to 29-13. Although the Titans made a late rally and scored two touchdowns, they failed to convert the two-point conversion, resulting in a score of 29-27. With a punt giving the Titans an opportunity for a game-winning field goal, WR Justin McCareins fumbled the kickoff, which was then recovered by DB Anthony Floyd, ultimately securing a 29-27 victory for the Colts. With the win, the Colts swept the Titans for the first time as divisional rivals.

Entering the final week, both the Titans and Colts held a record of 11-4. Although they had secured playoff spots, neither team had yet claimed the AFC South title. The Colts had the advantage in tiebreakers and required a victory to secure their first AFC South divisional title. Earlier, the Titans defeated the Buccaneers, who were the champions of last season's Super Bowl, while eagerly anticipating the outcome of the Colts game. The Colts were under pressure to secure a victory but found themselves behind 17-3 to the Texans as they entered the 4th quarter. Despite the setback, the Colts managed to stage a comeback with two touchdowns, leveling the score. With only 2:40 left on the clock and starting from their own 10-yard line, Manning skillfully led the team down the field, resulting in a game-winning field goal. This victory not only secured the Colts' first AFC South divisional title, but also relegated the Titans to the 5th seed. During the playoffs, the Titans emerged victorious against the Ravens but fell short against the Patriots. On the other hand, the Colts triumphed over both the Broncos and Chiefs but faced defeat against the Patriots as well, who would eventually become Super Bowl Champions. 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.

2004–2006: Manning and the Colts showcase their dominance, Second Colts Championship

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, but McNair was unable to participate due to an injury. This particular game gained attention due to some clever tactics employed by the Titans. After scoring a touchdown in the first quarter, the Titans opted for a surprise onside kick, which they successfully recovered and converted into a field goal, giving them a 10-3 advantage. They then attempted another onside kick, but a penalty for a short free-kick forced them to punt the ball away. Following an exchange of touchdowns, the Titans decided to go for yet another onside kick, which they managed to recover. However, their pass was intercepted by DB Jason David, resulting in a Colts touchdown. The Titans' antics led to them having a 24-17 lead by the end of the 1st quarter. However, their antics were shot-lived as the Colts dominated the rest of the game as they shutout the Titans to a 51-24 victory. Manning finished with 23-of-35 for 425 yards and three touchdowns, contributing to the Colts' total of 567 yards.

https://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/06/sports/pro-football-titans-tricks-do-not-deny-colts-treats.html

The Colts dominated the Titans in the 2005 season. The Colts easily defeated the Titans at Nashville 31-10. Later, on December 4, the Colts hosted the Titans in Indianapolis. The Colts entered the game as the only undefeated team in the NFL, and they proved why by completely overpowering the Titans, resulting in 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 and became the fifth team in league history to achieve a 12-0 record. The victory currently remains as the Colts' largest victory against the Titans with a 32-point differential. It is worth noting that this game marked the last start in the series for Steve McNair, as he was traded to the Ravens in the following season.

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.

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 marched down to Tennessee's 1–yard line, but a pass interference penalty had some settle for a field goal with 2:38 left to play. 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. They elected to kick and 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.

The Colts managed to finish the season with a 12-4 record, claiming the 3rd seed in the playoffs. They went on to defeat the Chiefs, Ravens, and Patriots in the postseason, ultimately earning a spot in their second Super Bowl. In Super Bowl XLI, the Colts defeated the Chicago Bears 29–17, securing their second Super Bowl Championship and their first in Indianapolis.

2007–2008: Colts and Titans clash for the AFC South title

During the 2007 season, the Colts and Titans clashed on September 16 in Nashville as the Colts aimed to defend their Super Bowl Championship. Despite some offensive struggles and only converting two field goals in the 3rd quarter after advancing to Tennessee's 8-yard line from the Colts, they managed to maintain a 22-13 lead going into the 4th quarter. However, after a Titans fumble at their own 24-yard line, K Adam Vinatieri missed a 36-yard field goal, marking his third missed kick of the day. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Young led the Titans on a 74-yard drive, bringing them within two points at 22-20 with 6:02 remaining. The Titans defense then forced a punt, giving their offense the ball with 1:37 left on the clock. Young orchestrated another drive, bringing the Titans to Indianapolis's 47-yard line. With 4th-and-4 on Indianapolis's 47-yard line, the Colts defense pressured Young into throwing the ball away, securing a narrow 22-20 victory for the Colts.

Upon entering the season finale at Indianapolis, the Titans required a win to secure a tiebreaker over the Browns for the last postseason spot. Meanwhile, the Colts, with a record of 13-2, had already secured the second seed in the playoffs, regardless of the game's outcome. Despite Vince Young suffering an injury, the Titans managed to secure a 16-10 victory as the Colts started resting their key players. This win not only clinched the final playoff spot for the Titans but also ended the Browns' playoff hopes and broke a four-game losing streak in Indianapolis. It was also their last matchup at the RCA Dome. Both teams later suffered defeats to the San Diego Chargers in the playoffs.

In the 2008 season, the Titans' top-ranked defense, led by pro bowlers Albert Haynesworth (left) and Cortland Finnegan (right), helped the team secure an AFC South title, ending the Colts' streak of five consecutive AFC South titles.

In the 2008 season, the Colts and Titans faced off on Monday Night Football at Nashville on October 27. The Titans, who were 7-0 at the time, had won 10 consecutive regular-season games, making them the last undefeated team in the NFL. With a strong rushing attack and the third-ranked defense in the league, the Titans were looking to extend their lead over the Colts, who were struggling with injuries and inconsistent play with a 3-3 record. The game started with the Titans scoring a field goal on their opening drive. The Colts capitalized on a short field after a poor punt by the Titans, leading to a touchdown pass by Peyton Manning, only the second one allowed by the Titans that year. The Titans managed to close the gap to 7-6 with a 44-yard field goal by Rob Bironas but missed an opportunity to take the lead when Bironas missed a 43-yard field goal attempt following a Manning interception by DB Chris Hope. The first half ended with both teams exchanging punts, with the Colts still holding a narrow 7-6 lead. The Colts scored first in the third quarter with a touchdown pass, taking a 14-6 lead. The Titans then responded by driving 80 yards in 14 plays, tying the game at 14-14 with a rushing touchdown and a successful 2-point conversion. Titans' LB Stephen Tulloch made a crucial stop on 4th-and-1, leading to a Titans 48-yard field goal and a 17-14 lead. Former Colts CB Nick Harper broke up a pass on 4th-and-2, allowing the Titans to score another touchdown and go up 24-14. Another interception by Hope set up another touchdown, increasing the Titans' lead to 31-14. Manning scrambled a 1-yard run with 1:17 remaining, but Titans' S Michael Griffin recovered the onside kick attempt, sealing a 31-21 victory for Tennessee.

Despite the Colt's resurgence and winning streak, the Titans secured the AFC South title after defeating the Browns, ending the Colts' five-year divisional reign. They later claimed the top seed in the AFC after defeating the Steelers. However, the Colts managed to clinch the 5th seed in the playoffs after defeating the Jaguars, with an impressive eight-game win streak. 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. In the playoffs, the Titans suffered an upset at the hands of the 6th seeded Ravens, while the Colts once again fell to the Chargers in overtime.

https://www.si.com/nfl/titans/history/afc-south-division-champions-year-by-year-records-playoff-results-colts-texans-titans-jaguars - For snapping Colts 5-AFC South divisional title streak?

2009: Colts resume their dominance

In the 2009 season, when the Titans and Colts faced off in Nashville on Sunday Night, October 11, the Titans' luck took a turn for the worse. Coming into the game with a 0-4 record, their once 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 had been on a roll 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 clearly demonstrated this disparity as the Colts dominated the Titans with a 31-9 victory. Peyton Manning ended the game with 309 yards and three touchdown passes. This win extended the Colts' regular season winning streak to fourteen games.

The Colts continued their winning streak when they faced the Titans again on October 11 in Indianapolis. With an 11-0 record, the Colts were on a twenty-game regular season winning streak. On the other hand, the Titans had bounced back from a rough start and entered the matchup at 5-6, riding a five-game winning streak. Despite trailing in their recent games, the Colts managed to take a 24-10 lead at halftime. In the second half, the Colts defense shut down the Titans offense, stopping the Titans twice when they went for it on fourth down in the Colts' red zone. Manning led the Colts on a time-consuming 7:23 drive that resulted in a 36-yard field goal with 3:14 left in the game. Although the Titans scored a touchdown and recovered the onside kick, they ultimately turned the ball over on downs, resulting in 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.

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. The Colts ended the season with a 14-2 record, securing the top seed in the AFC and the best overall record in the league. Despite finishing strong with a 3-1 record in their last four games, the Tennessee Titans fell short of making the playoffs with an 8-8 record. 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. 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.

2010: Final Peyton Manning season

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. In the season finale at 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, sweeping the Titans. 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. 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. Despite his dominance, some Titans fans admired Manning due to his college career at Tennessee Volunteers football.

https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/eight-memorable-moments-with-peyton-manning-titans-16902839 - use for later

2011: Colts Struggle

Following Peyton Manning's neck surgery, he was ruled out to start the 2011 season. Despite not being placed on the injured reserve list, Manning did not start in any games for the Colts during the 2011 season, leading to significant struggles for the team. Entering their matchup against the Titans at Nashville on October 30, the Colts entered with a 0-7 record, having come off an embarrassing lopsided 62-7 defeat to the Saints. The team's offense and defense, which were both top ranked in the previous season, have suffered a significant decline as a result of inconsistent performance by the quarterback. The Colts' luck did not improve in this game, with penalties and turnovers contributing to a 27-10 victory for the Titans. This loss marked the Colts' eighth consecutive defeat, bringing their record to 0-8.

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, were on a thirteen-game losing streak, and were looking to secure their first victory of the season. In contrast, the Titans, with a 7-6 record, were in good position to clinch a playoff spot. The Colts scored first in the first half with a 47-yard field goal, but the Titans responded with two field goals of their own to lead 6-3 at halftime. In the second half, the Colts scored the first touchdown of the game after a Titans punt gave them excellent field position. CB Jacob Lacey then returned an interception 32 yards to extend the Colts' lead to 17-6. Following another Titans punt, the Colts drove down the field for a 40-yard field goal, making it 20-6 with 12:53 remaining. In the final four minutes, the Titans scored their first touchdown, reducing the lead to 20-13. However, on the first play of the next drive, 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.

The Titans closed out the season with a 9-7 record by winning their final two games but fell short of making the playoffs as the Chiefs defeated the Broncos. Meanwhile, the Colts ended the season with a dismal 2-14 record, earning the 1st overall pick in the 2012 NFL draft.

2012-2018: Andrew Luck's perfect record

2012: Andrew Luck makes his debut

The Colts were widely expected to select Stanford QB Andrew Luck as the number one pick, leading to the release of Peyton Manning. 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. Ultimately, Manning chose to sign with the Broncos. In the 2012 NFL draft, the Colts drafted Andrew Luck.

QB Andrew Luck was selected first-overall by the Colts in the 2012 draft. He has proven to be a constant source of frustration for the Titans, consistently overpowering them in every matchup. Upon his retirement, he concluded his career with an impeccable undefeated record against the Titans (11-0).

In the 2012 season, Luck made his debut against the Titans on October 28 in Nashville. The game started with both teams exchanging field goals before the Titans scored the first touchdown towards the end of the second half. The Colts attempted another field goal before halftime, but it was blocked. The Titans led 13–6 going into the 4th quarter. Luck orchestrated an 80–yard touchdown drive, tying the game at 13–13 with 3:24 left. The Titans missed a potential touchdown pass on the next drive. Instead of attempting 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.

When the two teams met again in Indianapolis on December 9, the Colts emerged as a surprising playoff contender, boasting an 8–4 record. 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. Following a punt that placed the Titans at their own 1–yard line, an interception led to a 3–yard touchdown return, giving the Colts a 21–20 lead. After a series of field goals and another Titans interception, the Colts secured a 27–23 victory. The Colts eventually secured a spot in the playoffs.

2013-2016: Andrew Luck begins his dominance

In the 2013 season, the Colts and Titans faced off on Thursday Night Football on November 14 in Nashville. After trailing 14–0 in the first quarter, the Colts mounted a comeback, scoring 17 consecutive points in the 3rd quarter, aided by a fumble from the Titans on the kickoff, ultimately securing a 30–27 win. The teams met again on December 1 in Indianapolis. The Colts' offense leaned heavily on Adam Vinatieri as they struggled to score touchdowns. On the other hand, the Titans managed to score two touchdowns; however, they were unable to distance themselves from the Colts because of turnovers. A fumble at Indianapolis's 26-yard line resulted in Vinatieri's fifth field goal, allowing the Colts to take a 15–14 lead. Eventually, the Colts scored their first touchdown of the game late in the 4th quarter, and forced an interception to seal a 22–14 victory.

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. 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, culminating in a 2–14 record, their lowest since 1994.

During the 2015 season, the Colts faced off against the Titans on September 27 in Nashville. The Colts opened the scoring as Andrew Luck connected with WR T.Y. Hilton for a 48-yard pass, setting up a 1-yard rushing touchdown by RB Frank Gore. In the beginning of the 2nd quarter, Titans QB Marcus Mariota, who was the second pick in the 2015 NFL draft, threw an interception to DB Dwight Lowery, who returned it 69 yards for a pick-six. Mariota then led the Titans down the field, including a 35-yard completion to WR Dexter McCluster, but an offensive holding penalty forced them to settle for a field goal. Just before halftime, Mariota orchestrated an 83-yard touchdown drive to trim the score to 14-10 in favor of the Colts at the half.

In the third quarter, Mariota orchestrated another drive, completing passes of 18, 11, and 24 yards, culminating in a rushing touchdown. Following the kickoff, Luck was intercepted by DB Perrish Cox, who returned the ball to the Colts' 3-yard line, setting the stage for another touchdown as Mariota connected with WR Dorial Green-Beckham. The Colts were faced with a 4th-and-10 situation on their own 20-yard line. The Colts initially sent out their punting unit but executed a surprise fake, with P Pat McAfee running 18 yards to the 38-yard line. Unfortunately, their momentum was quickly halted when a 37-yard pass to WR Andre Johnson was called back due to a holding penalty. Luck then threw an interception to OLB Zach Brown, who returned it 45 yards to the Colts' 13-yard line. On 4th-and-1, FB Jalston Fowler managed to reach the 1-yard line, but an incomplete pass from Mariota and two unsuccessful rushing attempts forced the Titans to settle for a 21-yard field goal, extending their lead to 27-14 with 27 unanswered points. After the Titans forced a quick 3-and-out from the Colts, they advanced to the Indianapolis 30-yard line by the start of the fourth quarter. However, a 4-yard loss by McCluster and an 8-yard sack by ROLB Jerrell Freeman led to the Titans punting the ball away. Luck completed six consecutive passes of 8 yards or more as he led the Colts down the field. A false start and sack resulted in a 3rd-and-20 on Tennessee's 35-yard line, but Luck managed to throw a 35-yard touchdown pass to WR Phillip Dorsett, scoring their first points in the second half. On the following drive, Mariota was intercepted again by Lowery, who returned it to Tennessee's 11-yard line, setting up another passing touchdown by Luck to WR Donte Moncrief, allowing the Colts to retake the lead at 28-27. The Colts forced a 3-and-out by the Titans and starting at their own 31-yard line, Luck threw a 19-yard pass to TE Jack Doyle and Gore rushed for 25 yards, with an additional 10 yards added via a tripping penalty, as they quickly marched down the field. Gore then rushed for a touchdown. Mariota and the Titans rushed down the field and scored a touchdown with Fowler with 51 seconds left. The Titans couldn't convert their two-point attempt, but a defensive pass interference on DB Jalil Brown gave them another shot. On their second attempt, Fowler rushed through the middle but was stopped. The Colts recovered the onside kick as they secured a thrilling 35-33 victory.

Watch later please https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7nqkZEPNwg https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201509270oti.htm

September 27 2015 Nashville https://www.espn.com/nfl/recap/_/gameId/400791496

Luck threw two touchdown passes 56 seconds apart in the fourth quarter as he rallied the Colts to their first win this season

The Colts triumphed over the Titans in the season finale in Indianapolis, securing a 30–24 victory and finishing the season with an 8–8 record, thus avoiding their first losing season since 2011. On the other hand, the Titans ended the season with a 3–13 record, earning the number 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft.

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 significant moment occurred when Adam Vinatieri made his 43rd consecutive field goal, setting a new NFL record. The two teams faced off again on November 20, with the Colts scoring touchdowns on their first three possessions and ultimately securing a 24–17 win against the Titans. However, Vinatieri's missed 43–yard field goal ended his NFL record streak of 44 consecutive successful field goals. This victory marked the eleventh consecutive win for the Colts against the Titans and the fifth straight season sweep.

2017: Titans finally win

During the 2017 season, QB Marcus Mariota guided the Titans to two 10-point comeback victories over the Colts, achieving a sweep of the series. This marked the end of an eleven-game losing streak against the Colts, including a nine-game skid in Indianapolis, and represented the first sweep of the Colts since the 2002 season.

https://www.tennesseetitans.com/news/titans-colts-postgame-quotes-18119478 Quote for first game of 2016?

In the 2017 season, Luck underwent shoulder surgery, causing him to miss the beginning of the season. He was eventually placed on injured reserve, effectively concluding his season.

The Colts faced off against the Titans on Monday Night, October 16th in Nashville, with QB Jacoby Brissett leading the Colts. The first half saw both teams scoring field goals, with the Colts scoring a touchdown to take a 13–9 lead at halftime. 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, making it 19–9. The Titans responded with a field goal and gained possession again after a Colts fumble. Despite reaching the Colts' 4–yard line, the Titans settled for a field goal following a defensive stop. Mariota led the Titans on a scoring drive, which featured a 4th–and–1 rush and a 3rd–and–12 pass, ultimately resulting in a touchdown. On the kickoff, WR Quan Bray sprinted 60 yards to Tennessee's 40–yard line, however, an intentional grounding penalty forced the Colts to opt for a field goal, resulting in a 22–22 tie. Mariota responded by connecting with WR Taywan Taylor for a 53–yard touchdown pass. Brissett and the Colts rallied and faced 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. The Titans amassed 473 total yards, marking their highest yardage in a game against the Colts. After the game, Titans players conveyed their relief at breaking the losing streak while also minimizing its significance. "We can put that behind us and focus on the future," Mariota stated. "We approach every game as a must-win, but this one was particularly crucial, especially with the 11-game streak at stake," Woodyard commented. "We stepped up and delivered when it mattered."

Struggling without Luck, the Colts had a tough season and were set to play against the Titans on November 26 in Indianapolis with a 3–7 record, while the Titans boasted a 6–4 record. Despite the Titans scoring two 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. Following a series of punts, 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 managed 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. The Titans recorded eight sacks against Jacoby Brissett, marking their highest number of sacks against the Colts in a single game. The Titans would go on to make the playoffs while the Colts didn't, marking the first occurrence of this scenario in a season.

2018: Showdown for the final playoff spot and final Andrew Luck season

During the 2018 season, the Colts faced the Titans on November 18 in Indianapolis, with Andrew Luck leading the team as quarterback once again. The Titans were looking to capitalize on their previous success of sweeping the Colts in the prior season. Nevertheless, 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.

Following a disappointing 1–5 start for the Colts, they turned it around and went 8–1 for the remainder of the season. This brought them to a 9–6 record, tying them with the Titans as they headed into the final week. Following the Texans' victory over the Jaguars to clinch the AFC South title, the two teams faced off in a winner–take–all showdown game on December 30 in Nashville, with the victor securing a spot in the playoffs to challenge the Texans, and the defeated team being knocked out of playoff contention. Regrettably for the Titans, Mariota was ruled out for the game due to an elbow injury sustained during the previous week's victory against the Redskins.

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. Luck accumulated 285 yards and scored three touchdowns. He also maintained his flawless record against the Titans, improving it to 11–0. In the playoffs, the Colts emerged victorious against the Texans but suffered a defeat against the Chiefs.

This turned out to be the final season for Andrew Luck, as he unexpectedly retired the subsequent offseason. 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. His exceptional performance and unblemished streak against the Titans significantly contributed to the Colts' success both in their encounters with the Titans and making the playoffs.

Use link from top to link here on the last setnence

https://www.tennessean.com/story/sports/nfl/titans/2018/12/23/nfl-tennessee-titans-marcus-mariota-andrew-luck-colts/2400516002/ https://atozsports.com/nfl/indianapolis-colts-news/colts-remember-andrew-luck-dominance-vs-titans/

2019–Present: A more balanced rivalry

2019: Post Andrew Luck

The 2019 NFL draft took place in Nashville, Tennessee, meaning there were a lot of Titans fans in attendance. Taking advantage of the situation, COlts players Reggie Wayne and Pat McAfee

After Andrew Luck's surprising retirement, the Colts announced Jacoby Brissett as their starting quarterback for the 2019 season. They met the Titans on September 15 in Nashville. The Colts led 13–7 at halftime but the Titans scored a touchdown and a field goal following a Colts fumble to take the lead. They were in a great position to take a 20–13 lead in Colts territory but the 45–yard field goal 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.

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. 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. In the third quarter, both teams scored touchdowns; however, an interception by Brissett resulted in a Titans field goal, leveling the score at 17–17. 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.

2020–2021: Competing for the AFC South

During the 2020 season, the two teams were well–positioned to secure the AFC South title when they faced off on Thursday Night Football on November 12, in Nashville. Although the Titans initially held the advantage 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 from the Titans, which provided them with favorable field position. Additionally, a blocked Titans' punt was returned for a touchdown. A subsequent 44–yard field goal attempt by the Titans sailed wide right, allowing the Colts to score again on their next drive, ultimately securing a 34–17 victory.

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.

As the final week approached, both teams held identical 10–5 records, vying for the AFC South title. Their games were set for the afternoon, allowing them to monitor the outcomes of the Ravens, Browns, and Miami Dolphins, all of whom had the same record. The Browns secured a win against the Steelers, the Ravens triumphed over the Bengals, and the Dolphins fell to the Bills, which helped to clarify the playoff picture for both teams. Initially holding a better record than the Titans, the Colts experienced a setback last week, relinquishing a 17–point lead to the Steelers and ultimately losing 28–24. 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. The Titans were set to face the Texans, while the Colts were set to face the Jaguars.

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. 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. 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. During the playoffs, the Titans were defeated by the Ravens, and the Colts fell to the Bills.

During the 2021 season, the Colts faced the Titans on September 26 in Nashville. Despite the Titans committing three turnovers, the Colts managed to score only one touchdown throughout the game, resulting in a 25–16 defeat. 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 attempt resulted in an interception, which the Colts swiftly turned into another 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 of the game with a touchdown drive. Couple of plays later, Tannehill aimed a pass at TE Anthony Firkser, but it was intercepted by DE Tyquan Lewis. Nevertheless, Lewis lost possession of the ball, and Firkser managed to recover it, granting the Titans a fresh 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 closing moments of the game, the score was locked at 24–24. However, 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 crucial 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.

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. In spite of this setback and additional injuries, the Titans managed to clinch their second consecutive AFC South title and achieved the top seed in the AFC for the first time since the 2008 season, after a season–finale victory of 28–25 over the Texans. 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, followed by a surprising loss to the 2–14 Jaguars, which resulted in the Colts finishing the season with a 9–8 record and missing the playoffs. Consequently, Titans fans took the opportunity to mock the Colts for their Jaguars loss.

2022: Titans continue their win streak

In the 2022 offseason, Colts owner Jim Irsay voiced his frustration with his Colts losing to the Titans lately in a NFL owners meetings, saying "I brought our whole coaching staff in and every scout that was in the building for a ‘come-to-Jesus meeting’ with me. It was about Tennessee kicking our ass because that’s all they do is kick our ass."

https://fox59.com/sports/colts/jim-irsay-livid-over-titans-domination-of-colts-all-they-do-is-kick-our-a/

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/3638638/2022/09/28/indianapolis-colts-jim-irsay-titans/

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. 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.’"

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. As of right now, we don't have to worry about them. We've got a division game against Houston now we have to get on the road."

2023-Present: Colts regain competitive edge

During the 2023 season, the Colts faced off against the Titans on October 8 in Indianapolis. The game remained competitive until the final moments, with the Titans failing to convert a 4th-and-1 at the Colts' 5-yard line. In response, the Colts advanced the ball into Tennessee territory, successfully kicking a field goal to extend their lead to a touchdown. With just a minute remaining, the Titans attempted to either tie or win, but Tannehill's pass was intercepted, resulting in a 23-16 victory for the Colts and ending their five-game losing streak against the Titans.

They later met on December 3 in Nashville. Both teams successfully scored touchdowns on their initial drives. During a 3rd-and-10 play, rookie QB Will Levis was sacked and lost the ball, which was initially recovered by safety Julian Blackmon. However, Blackmon was unable to maintain possession, allowing Levis to reclaim the fumble for the Titans. The drive concluded with a field goal. Although the Colts reached the Titans' red zone on four occasions, they struggled to convert those opportunities into points, narrowly maintaining a 17-16 advantage. In the last minutes of the 3rd quarter, a Titans punt was blocked and returned for an 18-yard touchdown. Instead of opting for the extra point, the Colts chose to attempt a two-point conversion, but their pass was intercepted and returned for a Titans two-point score. On the subsequent drive, another Titans punt was blocked, giving the Colts possession at Tennessee's 7-yard line. Despite advancing to the 1-yard line, a sack forced the Colts to settle for a field goal. During the subsequent drive, the Titans advanced down the field and scored a touchdown; however, their PAT attempt was unsuccessful, resulting in a tie at 25-25 instead of a Titans lead. Neither team scored in the final minutes, leading to overtime. In overtime, the Titans kicked a field goal, but the Colts responded with a quick 5-play, 75-yard drive, highlighted by a 55-yard completion to the Titans' 4-yard line, leading to a touchdown and a 31-28 victory. This win marked the Colts' first sweep of the Titans since the 2018 season.

Following the game, wide receiver 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.”

Season–by–season results

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts vs. Houston Oilers/Tennessee Titans Season–by–Season Results
1970s (Tie, 2–2) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1970 Colts 24–20 Houston Astrodome Colts 1–0 Baltimore Colts join the newly formed American Football Conference (AFC) alongside the Houston Oilers as part of the merger deal. With 46 seconds left, QB Johnny Unitas throws a 31–yard game–winning touchdown. Colts win Super Bowl V 1973 Oilers 31–27 Baltimore Memorial Stadium Tie 1–1 With the win, the Oilers snapped an 18–game losing streak dating back to last season, setting a record for the longest losing game streak post–merge. The victory would later be the Oilers' only win in their 1973 season. 1976 Colts 38–14 Baltimore Memorial Stadium Colts 2–1 1979 Oilers 28–16 Baltimore Memorial Stadium Tie 2–2
1980s (Colts, 4–3) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1980 Oilers 21–16 Houston Astrodome Oilers 3–2 1983 Colts 20–10 Baltimore Memorial Stadium Tie 3–3 Final game Oilers faced the Colts as a Baltimore team Colts played their final game as a Baltimore team. 1984 Colts 35–21 Houston Astrodome Colts 4–3 Colts relocate from Baltimore to Indianapolis. 1985 Colts 34–16 Hoosier Dome Colts 5–3 First matchup played in Indianapolis and at Hoosier Dome. 1986 Oilers 31–17 Houston Astrodome Colts 5–4 1987 Colts 51–27 Hoosier Dome Colts 6–4 1988 Oilers 17–14(OT) Hoosier Dome Colts 6–5
1990s (Oilers 2–1) Season Results Location Overall series Notes 1990 Oilers 24–10 Houston Astrodome Tied 6–6 Final matchup played in Houston. 1992 Oilers 20–10 Hoosier Dome Oilers 7–6 1994 Colts 45–21 RCA Dome Tied 7–7 Hoosier Dome renamed to RCA Dome. Last matchup Colts faced the Oilers as a Houston team and using the Oilers name.
2000s (Colts, 11–6) Season Season series at Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans Overall series Notes 2000 AFC Divisional playoffs Titans 1–0 Titans 19–16 Hi Titans 8–7 First postseason meeting. After relocating to Nashville two seasons ago, the Oilers changed their name to the Tennessee Titans. Titans go on to lose Super Bowl XXXIV. 2002 Titans 2–0 Titans 23–15 Titans 27–17 Titans 10–7 Both teams are placed in the AFC South during the 2002 NFL realignment, resulting in two meetings annually. 2003 Colts 2–0 Colts 33–7 Colts 29–27 Titans 10–9 Last season the Titans held the overall series record in the rivalry. 2004 Colts 2–0 Colts 51–24 Colts 31–17 Colts 11–10 In Indianapolis, Colts score the most points in a game against the Titans with 51. 2005 Colts 2–0 Colts 35–3 Colts 31–10 Colts 13–10 In Indianapolis, Colts record their largest victory against the Titans with a 32–point differential. 2006 Tie 1–1 Colts 14–13 Titans 20–17 Colts 14–11 Colts win seven straight meetings (2003–2006). Colts win Super Bowl XLI 2007 Tie 1–1 Titans 16–10 Colts 22–20 Colts 15–12 Last season Colts played at RCA Dome. 2008 Tie 1–1 Colts 23–0 Titans 31–21 Colts 16–13 Colts open up Lucas Oil Stadium. After their loss at Nashville, the Colts go on a twenty–three regular season game winning streak, an NFL record. 2009 Colts 2–0 Colts 27–17 Colts 31–9 Colts 18–13
2010s (Colts, 16–4) Season Season series at Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans Overall series Notes 2010 Colts 2–0 Colts 23–20 Colts 30–28 Colts 20–13 Last start in the series for Peyton Manning. 2011 Tie 1–1 Colts 27–13 Titans 27–10 Colts 21–14 Colts' victory in Indianapolis ended their thirteen–game losing streak and secured their first win of the season. 2012 Colts 2–0 Colts 27–23 Colts 19–13(OT) Colts 23–14 First start in the series for QB Andrew Luck. 2013 Colts 2–0 Colts 22–14 Colts 30–27 Colts 25–14 2014 Colts 2–0 Colts 41–17 Colts 27–10 Colts 27–14 With their win in Nashville, Colts complete a sweep of the AFC South division for the second consecutive year. 2015 Colts 2–0 Colts 30–24 Colts 35–33 Colts 29–14 2016 Colts 2–0 Colts 24–17 Colts 34–26 Colts 31–14 Colts win 11 straight games (2011–2016) and 9 straight at home (2008–2016). 2017 Titans 2–0 Titans 20–16 Titans 36–22 Colts 31–16 Titans sweep Colts for the first time since the 2002 season. 2018 Colts 2–0 Colts 38–10 Colts 33–17 Colts 33–16 Game in Nashville resulted in a playoff–clinching victory for the Colts, securing the 6th seed and eliminating the Titans from playoff contention. Final season for Andrew Luck. Luck finishes his career with an unbeaten record against the Titans, going 11–0. 2019 Tie 1–1 Titans 31–17 Colts 19–17 Colts 34–17
2020s (Titans, 5–3) Season Season series at Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans Overall series Notes 2020 Tie 1–1 Titans 45–26 Colts 34–17 Colts 35–18 In Indianapolis, Titans record their most points in a game against the Colts and their largest victory against the Colts with a 19–point differential. Titans win against the Texans in the season finale game clinches them the AFC South title and regulates the Colts to the 7th seed. 2021 Titans 2–0 Titans 34–31(OT) Titans 25–16 Colts 35–20 2022 Titans 2–0 Titans 24–17 Titans 19–10 Colts 35–22 Titans win five games in a row, their longest win streak against the Colts. 2023 Colts 2–0 Colts 23–16 Colts 31–28(OT) Colts 37–22
Summary of Results Season Season series at Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans Notes Regular season Colts 37–21 Colts 20–11 Colts 17–10 Postseason Titans 1–0 Titans 1–0 no games AFC Divisional playoffs: 1999 Regular and postseason Colts 37–22 Colts 20–12 Colts 17–10