Point Spread: Titans Favored For First Time All Season on Sunday vs. Colts

The Tennessee Titans have their first AFC South matchup of the year on Sunday at Indianapolis, and it's the first time all year that they've been favored to win a game. Here's the latest on the point spread, and a history of what both teams have done against the number so far this season.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Through the first quarter — more or less — of the NFL season,  the Tennessee Titans have been underdogs on every single Sunday. Despite that, they are 2-2 so far.

All that changes on Sunday. 

The Titans are actually a 2.5-point favorite against the Indianapolis Colts in a big AFC South showdown at Lucas Oil Stadium, according to the DraftKings gambling website. The over/under is 43.5. It's new ground for a team that the oddsmakers thought would be 0-4 right now. 

Both teams are 2-2 overall entering the game, part of a four-team logjam in the division. Everyone has the same record, so the optimists can think their AFC South team is tied for first, and the the pessimists know they're tied for last.

This is Tennessee's first division game this season. Their return match with the Colts is on Dec. 3 in Nashville. 

Here is what the Titans have done against the point spread so far this season:

Titans vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Lost at New Orleans Saints 16-15 as a 3-point underdog. The total (31) went far under the 41.5-point line. Record: 0-1. Against the spread: 1-0. Under Total Record: 1-0.
• WEEK 2: Won at home against Los Angeles Chargers 27-24 in overtime as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (51) went over the 45.5-point line. Record: 1-1. Against the spread: 2-0. Under Total Record: 1-1.
• WEEK 3: Lost at Cleveland Browns 27-3 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (30) went far under the 38.5-point line. Record: 1-2. Against the spread: 2-1. Under Total Record: 2-1.
• WEEK 4: Wont at home against Cincinnati Bengals 27-3 as a 2.5-point underdog. The total (30) went under the 40.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 3-1. Under Total Record: 3-1.

The Colts have been something of a surprise as well. They too have been an underdog in all four games, but still won twice — both on the road.  They are led by rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson, and there's a chance that disgruntled running back Jonathan Taylor could return this week as well.

Here is what they have done against the point spread so far this season:

Colts vs. the number in 2023

• WEEK 1: Lost at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars at 31-21 as a 3.5-point underdog. The total (52) went over the 45.5-point line. Record: 0-1. Against the spread: 0-1. Under Total Record: 0-1..
• WEEK 2: Won at Houston Texans 31-20 as a 1.5-point underdog. The total (51) went over the 40.5-point line. Record: 1-1. Against the spread: 1-1. Under Total Record: 0-2.
• WEEK 3: Won at Baltimore Ravens 22-19 in overtime as a 7.5-point underdog. The total (41) went under the 44.5-point line. Record: 2-1. Against the spread: 2-1. Under Total Record: 1-2.
• WEEK 4: Lost at home to the Los Angeles Rams 29-23 as a 1-point underdog. The total (52) went over the 44.5-point line. Record: 2-2. Against the spread: 2-2. Under Total Record: 1-3.

The Colts had the second-lowest over/win total to start the season at 6.5, so it's been a bit surprising that they've won two road already. Their struggles at home are real, though. They have lost seven straight games at Lucas Oil Stadium. Their last win in Indianapolis was on Oct. 16, 2022, nearly a full year ago, when they beat Jacksonville.

The Titans have won five straight games against the Colts, including twice last year. They won 24-17 in Indianapolis and then again three weeks later in Nashville, winning 19-10. 

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