Last Sunday against the Cowboys, Peyton Manning tried his hardest to make up for an offense riddled with injuries. He will look to do the same against the Titans on Thursday but will most likely end up with the same outcome.
Although one cannot blame Manning for giving it all that he had, there is no excuse for a veteran quarterback throwing four interceptions in a game, a showing that ran his season total to 15. He alone kept the Colts in the game for awhile, but he was ultimately the goat as two of his interceptions were returned for touchdowns and they lost in overtime 38-35.
Manning and the coaches were looking to receiver Reggie Wayne every chance that they had, scoring the team two touchdowns. Wayne had 14 catches, and was on the receiving end of 200 of Manning's 365 passing yards. Wayne's status alone could make or break the game on Thursday. He's questionable with a knee injury, but the Titans can expect him to play as he fully participated in practice this week.
Thursday night will be an interesting game due to the fact that the Colts offense is struggling with injuries as the Titans defense struggle with injuries. However, it looks as if the Colts have much more to worry about.
The Colts have virtually no running game right now with Joseph Addai (neck) still out. Behind him is Javarris James who ran for a whopping total of 18 yards against the Cowboys on Sunday. Backup running backs Mike Hart (ankle) and Donald Brown (ankle) are both hurting. Hart has been ruled out and Brown remains questionable for Thursday night's game. Both had a few carries on Sunday but combined for a total of 12 yards. Therefore, rushing yardage will rest on James' shoulders.
The Colts passing game isn't 100 percent, either as Wayne, and tight ends Jacob Tamme (knee) and Brody Eldridge (rib), are all questionable. Receiver Austin Collie has been ruled out for Thursday's game and has missed every game, but one, since his Week 9 concussion he suffered against the Eagles. He would be of much needed help Thursday.
Last week, the Titans had 12 players on their injured report and this week there are only six. That is a big sigh of relief for the team alone, even if all six players are from the defense. Some might see that as an advantage for the Colts' offense, but, do not look past the fact that all the players on the Titans' injured list are questionable for Thursday. Defensive end Jacob Ford (knee) and defensive tackle Jason Jones (shoulder) are both probable to play since they both fully participated in practice on Wednesday. Defensive tackles Sen'Derrick Marks (ankle) and Tony Brown (knee), along with defensive end Dave Ball (hip) and cornerback Ryan Mouton (hamstring), are all questionable as none of them participated in practice on Wednesday.
Another thing adding to this matchup is that both teams are on losing streaks. The Colts need to snap their three-game losing streak as playoff implications are looming, while the Titans are likely getting desperate to break their five-game losing streak.
All in all, the Colts will need a miracle to take this game away from the Titans who will be craving a win after five embarrassing weeks.
