The NFL Thursday night game of the week heads to Nashville for an AFC South match-up between the Indianapolis Colts (6-6) and Tennessee Titans (5-7).

The Indianapolis Colts (6-6) are hoping to avoid their first four game losing streak in 9 years. Indianapolis lead the division for the first nine weeks before losing three straight. The Colts are still very much alive in the 2010 NFL playoff picture and, more importantly, control their own destiny. With 4 games remaining, they play two against their AFC South rivals the Titans, and one against the current division leader Jacksonville Jaguars. In the event of a tie with Jacksonville, the Colts would win the tiebreaker and head to the NFL playoffs as the AFC South division champions.

The Titans could also make the playoffs by winning their final four games, but also need outside help. Tennessee started out strong 5-2 before losing five in a row. Injuries and in-fighting have sent the Titans spiraling.

The Titans have lost their last three games against the Colts, with Manning passing for five touchdowns and one interception.

Over the last three weeks Peyton Manning has 11 interceptions, and has thrown four in each of his last two games. In last week’s OT loss to the Cowboys (38-35), two were returned for touchdowns and other for the game winning field goal.

The Colts woes stem from their inability to run to ball. They are averaging just over 54 yards per game over their last 5 games and have had to rely on the passing game to score points. However, the Colts may have some better results against the Titans, who have 4 defensive players who are questionable for game time.   Last week the Titans gave up 258 yards to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Kerry Collins will start for the Titans and WR Kenny Britt has been activated after being out for over a month with a hamstring injury.

Many analysts and football experts would pick the home team. But our analysis points to the Colts as our NFL expert pick of the week.

COLTS Vs. TITANS: GAME DAY PARTICULARS
Visitors	Indianapolis Colts(6-6)
Home	Tennessee Titans (5-7)
When	Thursday, Dec 9 8:20 PM EST
Where	LP Field
TV COVERAGE	NFL Network
GAME DAY FORECAST	Temp: 34º Prec: 0%
Favorite	COLTS -3
Under/Over	46.5

COLTS – TITANS OFFENSE/DEFENSE AVERAGES

COLTS OFFENSE		TITANS DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	79.1 32nd	Rush Yds/Gms	123.4 22nd
Pass Yds/Gms	303.3 1st	Pass Yds/Gms	238.7 23rd
Tot Yds/Gms	382.4 5th	Tot Yds/Gms	362.1 4th
TITANS OFFENSE		COLTS DEFENSE
Rush Yds/Gms	112.6 12th	Rush Yds/Gms	142.8 29th
Pass Yds/Gms	179.0 31st	Pass Yds/Gms	200.0 4th
Tot Yds/Gms	291.6 30th	Tot Yds/Gms	342.8 18th

INJURY REPORT

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS
PLAYER	POS	INJURY	STATUS
Mike Hart	RB	Ankle	Out
TENNESSEE TITANS
Dave Ball	DE	Knee	Questionable
Tony Brown	DT	Knee	Questionable
Sen’Derrick Marks	DT	Ankle	Questionable
Ryan Mouton	CB	Hamstring	Questionable

COLTS TITAN NFL WEEK 14 GAME PREDICTION
The Titans injuries on defense (2 defensive ends, a defensive tackle and a cornerback questionable) should allow the Colts to move the ball on the ground. That alone will take some pressure off Peyton Manning and make the Colts passing game more effective.

The Titans have only scored six points in its last two games. They haven’t had an offensive touchdown in 13 quarters.

And what are the chances of Peyton Manning having 4 bad games in a row?

The results of this NFL matchup will bring the NFL playoff picture a little bit more in focus.

The NFL pick of the week - take Peyton Manning and the Colts

COLTS 35 TITANS 10

Here is the NFL Week 12 Schedule for Sunday, November 28. Handicapping tips for each of he NFL matchups include the favorite, under/over and record against the spread (ATS).

1:00 PM GAMES

JAGUARS (6-4) At GIANTS (6-4)

Favorite: Giants (-9) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Jaguars are 6-4 ATS

Jaguars are 2-2 ATS away

Jaguars are 3-4 ATS as the underdog

Jaguars are 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

Giants are 5-5 ATS

Giants are 2-3 ATS at home

Giants are 3-3 ATS as the favorite

Giants are 2-3 ATS as a home favorite

VIKINGS (3-7) At REDSKINS (5-5)

Favorite: Redskins (-2) Over/Under: 43

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Vikings are 2-8 ATS

Vikings are 0-5 ATS away

Vikings are 0-6 ATS as the underdog

Vikings are 0-5 ATS as an away underdog

Redskins are 5-3 ATS

Redskins are 2-1 ATS at home

Redskins are 0-1 ATS as the favorite

Redskins have not been a home favorite

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (7-3) At BUFFALO BILLS (2-8)

Favorite: Steelers (-6.5) Over/Under: 43

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Steelers are 6-4 ATS

Steelers are 4-3 ATS away

Steelers are 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Steelers are 2-1 ATS as an away favorite

Bills are 5-4 ATS

Bills are 1-3 ATS at home

Bills are 4-3 ATS as the underdog

Bills are 0-2 as a home underdog

TENNESSEE TITANS (5-5) At HOUSTON TEXANS (4-6)

Favorite: Texans (-6.5) Over/Under: 46

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Titans are 5-5 ATS

Titans are 3-2 ATS away

Titans are 2-2 ATS as the underdog

Titans are 2-2 ATS as an away underdog

Texans are 3-6 ATS

Texans are 1-4 ATS at home

Texans are 1-3 ATS as the favorite

Texans are 0-3 as a home favorite

CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-9) At CLEVELAND BROWNS (3-7)

Favorite: Browns (-10.5) Over/Under: 37.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Panthers are 2-8 ATS

Panthers are 1-3 ATS away

Panthers are 2-6 ATS as the underdog

Panthers are 1-3 ATS as an away underdog

Browns are 4-5 ATS

Browns are 2-3 ATS at home

Browns are 0-3 ATS as the favorite

Browns are 0-1 as a home favorite

GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-3) At ATLANTA FALCONS (8-2)

Favorite: Falcons (-2) Over/Under: 47.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Packers are 6-4 ATS

Packers are 3-2 ATS away

Packers are 1-0 ATS as the underdog

Packers are 1-0 ATS as an away underdog

Falcons are 6-4 ATS

Falcons are 3-2 ATS at home

Falcons are 5-3 ATS as the favorite

Falcons are 3-2 as a home favorite

Packers vs Falcons NFL Matchup Preview

4:05 PM GAMES

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-4) At SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (5-5)

Favorite: Chiefs (-1.5) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Chiefs are 6-4 ATS

Chiefs are 2-3 ATS away

Chiefs are 2-3 ATS as the favorite

Chiefs are 0-2 ATS as an away favorite

Seahawks are 5-5 ATS

Seahawks are 3-1 ATS at home

Seahawks are 4-4 ATS as the underdog

Seahawks are 2-1 ATS as a home underdog

MIAMI DOLPHINS (5-5) At OAKLAND RAIDERS (5-5)

Favorite: Raiders (-3) Over/Under: 39.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Dolphins are 6-4 ATS

Dolphins are 4-1 ATS away

Dolphins are 3-1 ATS as the underdog

Dolphins are 2-1 ATS as an away underdog

Raiders are 5-4 ATS

Raiders are 3-2 ATS at home

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as the favorite

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as a home favorite

4:15 PM GAMES

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (7-3) At CHICAGO BEARS (7-3)

Favorite: Eagles (-3.5) Over/Under: 42

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Eagles are 5-5 ATS

Eagles are 3-2 ATS away

Eagles are 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Eagles are 2-1 ATS as an away favorite

Bears are 5-4 ATS

Bears are 2-3 ATS at home

Bears are 4-1 ATS as the underdog

Bears are 1-0 ATS as a home underdog

ST. LOUIS RAMS (4-6) At DENVER BRONCOS (3-7)

Favorite: Broncos (-4) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Rams are 7-3 ATS

Rams are 3-1 ATS away

Rams are 6-3 ATS as the underdog

Rams are 3-1 ATS as an away underdog

Broncos are 3-7 ATS

Broncos are 2-3 ATS at home

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as the favorite

Raiders are 1-1 ATS as a home favorite

TAMPA BAY BUCS (7-3) At BALTIMORE RAVENS (7-3)

Favorite: Ravens (-7.5) Over/Under: 44.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Bucs are 6-3 ATS

Bucs are 5-0 ATS away

Bucs are 5-2 ATS as the underdog

Bucs are 5-0 ATS as an away underdog

Ravens are 5-5 ATS

Ravens are 2-2 ATS at home

Ravens are 3-3 ATS as the favorite

Ravens are 2-2 ATS as a home favorite

8:30 PM GAME

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (5-5) At INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (6-4)

Favorite: Colts (-3) Over/Under:51.5

2010 Regular Season Trends ATS

Chargers are 5-5 ATS

Chargers are 1-4 ATS away

Chargers have not been the underdog

Colts are 6-3 ATS

Colts are 3-1 ATS at home

Colts 4-3 ATS as the favorite

Colts are 3-1 ATS as a home favorite

In the NFL this week, 3 games were played on Thursday, November 25, the results:
New England 45 Detroit 24
New Orleans 30 Dallas 27
New York Jets 26 Cincinnati 10

sources: New York Post, espn.com, foxsports.com, thespread.com

Here is a quick glance at the NFL Playoff picture as of Sunday 12/21 after the 1:00 pm EST games have been played:

AFC
1  Tennessee  South 13-2-0
2  Pittsburgh (yz) North 11-4-0
3  Miami East 10-5-0
4  Denver West 8-6-0
5  Indianapolis (x) South 11-4-0
6  Baltimore North 10-5-0

Still alive
7  New England East 10-5-0
8  N.Y. Jets East 9-5-0
11  San Diego West 7-8-0

Eliminated
9  Houston South 7-7-0
10  Buffalo East 6-8-0
12  Jacksonville South 5-10-0
13  Cleveland North 4-11-0
14  Cincinnati North 3-11-1
15  Oakland West 3-11-0
16  Kansas City West 2-13-0

NFC
Seed Team Division Record
1  N.Y. Giants (y) East 11-3-0
2  Carolina (x) South 11-3-0
3  Minnesota North 9-5-0
4  Arizona (y) West 8-7-0
5  Atlanta South 9-5-0
6  Philadelphia East 8-5-1

Still alive
7  Dallas East 9-6-0
8  Tampa Bay South 9-6-0
9  Chicago North 8-6-0
11  Washington East 7-7-0

Eliminated
10  New Orleans South 8-7-0
12  San Francisco West 6-9-0
13  Green Bay North 5-9-0
14  Seattle West 3-11-0
15  St. Louis West 2-13-0
16  Detroit North 0-15-0

legend
x-clinched playoff berth
y-denotes division winner
z-denotes first-round bye
*-clinched home-field advantage

More on the playoff possibilities …

AFC EAST
Miami sits on top and the Patriots and Jets are alive for the Wildcard

AFC SOUTH
Tennessee clinched the division and a first-round bye. It can clinch home-field advantage in the AFC playoffs with a win.

Indianapolis clinched a playoff spot with its win over Jacksonville on Thursday.

AFC NORTH DIVISION
Even with a loss today against Tennessee, the Pittsburgh Steelers have clinched the division and a first-round bye. Baltimore is alive for a wild-card spot.

AFC WEST DIVISION
Denver can clinch the division with 1) a win or tie; 2) a San Diego loss or tie.
NFC EAST DIVISION
The New York Giants clinched the division. They can clinch a first-round bye with: 1) a win or tie; 2) a Minnesota loss or tie. They can clinch home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs with: 1) a win vs. Carolina.

Dallas can clinch a playoff spot next week with: 1) a win or tie against Philadelphia and an Atlanta loss; 2) a win and a loss or tie by Chicago and a Tampa Bay loss; 3) a win and an Atlanta loss, a Chicago loss or tie and a Tampa Bay loss.

NFC SOUTH DIVISION
Carolina has clinched a playoff spot after Dallas’ loss Saturday to Baltimore. It can clinch the division with: 1) a win or tie; 2) losses or ties by both Tampa Bay and Atlanta. It can clinch a first-round bye with: 1) a win or tie; 2) a Tampa Bay loss or tie and an Atlanta- Minnesota tie. It can clinch home-field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs with: 1) a win against the N.Y. Giants.

Tampa Bay can clinch a playoff spot with: 1) a win, an Atlanta loss and a Philadelphia loss or tie; 2) a win, an Atlanta loss and a Dallas loss or tie.

Atlanta can clinch a playoff spot with: 1) a win and losses by Tampa Bay and Philadelphia; 2) a win and losses by Tampa Bay and Dallas.

NFC NORTH DIVISION
Minnesota can clinch the division with: 1) a win; 2) a tie and a Chicago tie; 3) a Chicago loss.

NFC WEST DIVISION
Arizona has clinched the division.

source: ESPN, FOX, nfl.com, cbssports.com