Colts vs. Titans week 17: Key matchups

The Colts and Titans are playing one of the biggest games of the year in the NFL. The winner makes the playoffs in one way or another. Here are the matchups that will decide this contest.

In week 17, it’s all about health and matchups. That is what wins games this time of year. You are who you are as a team. That is no different in the Indianapolis-Tennessee game. These key matchups will decide who walks away with a playoff spot and who watches them from home.

Colts D-line vs. Derrick Henry

Henry has emerged as a very effective back the last few weeks. He won a Heisman trophy for a reason. If the Titans can get him going, they can chew up a lot of clock and keep the ball out of the Colts’ hands. If they can’t, they will struggle mightily to move the ball.

Frank Reich vs. Mike Vrabel.

Both are first year head coaches who have exceeded expectations. But both will be very important in this game. How each coach manages critical calls in the game could decide who wins. How aggressive each coach is will be interesting to see as well.

Marcus Mariota vs. Health.

Mariota was knocked out of last week’s game with a stinger. Blaine Gabbert came in and finished the game. Both quarterbacks played in the first matchup between these two teams, so the Colts have seen them both. But if the Titans don’t have Mariota, it would be a huge blow.

Andrew Luck and company is looking forward to this game a lot. His offense should be able to move the ball well, even against a top ten defense. And they might just do it well enough to move on and play in the postseason for the first time since 2014.