{"id":6253,"date":"2016-11-16T12:16:21","date_gmt":"2016-11-16T17:16:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonprofootball.com\/?p=6253"},"modified":"2016-11-16T12:16:21","modified_gmt":"2016-11-16T17:16:21","slug":"indianapolis-colts-week-11-keys-victory","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2016\/11\/16\/indianapolis-colts-week-11-keys-victory\/","title":{"rendered":"Indianapolis Colts Week 11 Keys to Victory"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Indianapolis Colts<\/strong> come into Week 11 of the 2016 NFL<\/strong> season needing a win more than ever. The Colts are 4-5 on the season\u00a0and\u00a0face division rival Tennessee Titans<\/strong>, who come in with a record of 5-5. Week 10 was a much needed bye week for\u00a0Chuck Pagano<\/strong>‘s team,\u00a0after they beat the Green Bay Packers<\/strong> 31-26 in Week nine. The Titans are also coming off of a victory against the Packers by the score of 47-25. This game is very important to both teams chasing down the AFC South<\/strong> leader Houston Texans<\/strong>. The Colts came up victorious in the last meeting between these two teams 34-26. Below are the Indianapolis Colts Week 11 keys to victory and a score prediction.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts Week 11 Keys to Victory<\/h2>\n

Stop Marcus Mariota’s Hot Streak<\/h3>\n

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota<\/strong><\/a> passed for 295 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers last week. This does not bode well for a Colts secondary that has been one of the worst in football. The Colts are allowing 289 yards passing per game this season. They can hope that the secondary has a similar effort that was shown against the Packers. Furthermore, the bye week gave the Colts secondary some more time to get healthy. Cornerback Vontae Davis<\/strong><\/a> could be fully healthy for the first time this season. Safety Mike Adams<\/strong><\/a> could also play for the first time in three weeks. Seeing a fully healthy Colts secondary for the first time\u00a0in 2016\u00a0could make a huge difference in the overall performance of\u00a0Indy’s defense.<\/p>\n

Protect Andrew Luck<\/h3>\n

It’s been the biggest question for the Colts all season. Can they protect Andrew Luck<\/strong><\/a>? So far the answer has been no. Luck has been sacked a league leading 33 times. The Colts are very lucky that he has been able to stay healthy so far. If the Colts protection breaks down, Brian Orakpo<\/strong><\/a> and Jurrell Casey<\/strong><\/a> could have themselves a field day. Orakpo has been impressive in 2016, amassing a team leading nine sacks for the Titans. Giving Luck time will also open up the entire Colts offense. If Luck is able to find his weapons like receivers T.Y. Hilton<\/strong><\/a> and Donte Moncrief<\/strong><\/a>, it could be a long day for the Titans defense. Furthermore, if Luck is given time to find his best receivers, then running back Frank Gore<\/strong><\/a> will have a much easier time.<\/p>\n

Finish the Game<\/h3>\n

Almost every single game the Colts have played in this season has come down to the final two minutes. The Colts have put way too much pressure on Luck to come up with clutch drives this season. The defense has also played very poorly\u00a0at the\u00a0end\u00a0of games. Defeats at the hands of the Detroit Lions<\/strong> (39-35) and the Texans (26-23) truly showed the worst of the Colts defense this season. Even the Colts last victory against the Packers required some clutch first downs from\u00a0Luck to seal the game. A comfortable lead in this game could go a long way\u00a0towards building\u00a0the Colts confidence for the rest of the season.<\/p>\n

Prediction<\/h3>\n

The should Colts continue their momentum through the bye week and control the game the entire way. Mariota and Titans running back DeMarco Murray<\/strong><\/a>, who has more than 150 total yards on the game, will keep it close. But Luck\u00a0will throw for\u00a0325 yards\u00a0and have three total touchdowns, with only one turnover. The Colts\u00a0will force\u00a0turnovers off Mariota twice, which will be enough to keep the Titans attack at bay.<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Colts 36, Tennessee Titans 29<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

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Embed from Getty Images<\/a><\/div>\n