This Titans adversity stat should infuriate Colts fans

The Indianapolis Colts‘ hopes of winning the AFC South for the first time since 2014 were shattered after their 34-31 loss to the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.

That defeat confirmed the season sweep for Tennessee and all but means they’ll hoist the division crown for the second-straight year.

It’s a pretty embarrassing turn of events for the Colts, who had hoped to build on an 11-5 campaign that saw them sneak into the playoffs and push the No. 2-seeded Bills to the brink in the Wild Card Round.

Whether they qualify for this year’s tournament, this marks yet another season of Indy failing to usurp Tennessee as the class of the AFC South.

What makes it all the more humiliating? The fact that the Titans have dealt with arguably the most adversity of any team in the NFL in 2021!

Check out this mind-blowing stat, Colts fans.

The sheer adversity Tennessee has overcome this season will infuriate Colts fans.

The best fans lose with grace and give credit where it’s due, and the Titans deserve tremendous credit for continuing to churn out wins without some of their most impactful players.

That list includes Derrick Henry, perhaps the most valuable non-quarterback in the league, who’s out until at least January after undergoing foot surgery. Tennessee is 2-1, with wins over the Rams and Saints, without the two-time defending rushing champ.

Getting beyond Henry, Julio Jones is currently on injured reserve with a hamstring issue, first-rounder Caleb Farley tore his ACL back in October and free-agent acquisition Bud Dupree (abdomen) just hit IR.

Speaking strictly in terms of Week 11, the Titans were without right guard Nate Davis, linebackers Rashaan Evans and David Long Jr., tight end Geoff Swaim, corner Greg Mabin, and running back Jeremy McNichols. Each of those players are focal points of Tennessee’s offense and defense.

Remember when fans attributed the Colts’ slow start to the rash of injuries? That doesn’t look fair now, does it? Sure, you could argue Indy’s injuries were more devastating, but the Titans sitting atop the AFC proves teams ravaged by injuries should be able to do more than just tread water.

So, why haven’t the Colts been able to replicate the Titans’ success? Is it a matter of a lack of talent or inferior coaching? It’s tough to say, but Indianapolis and Frank Reich could prove to benefit by taking a page out of Mike Vrabel’s playbook.

Regardless of who’s available on Sundays, it’s clear Vrabel holds all of his players to the same standard, and Tennessee has reaped the benefits.

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