The Tantalizing Ten: Titans Edition
Intro: Each week, we will take a look at 10 players that will have a big impact in the game. Who are the "Tantalizing Ten" when the Colts (7-8) conclude the regular season with the Tennessee Titans (3-12) in Indianapolis?
After weeks of run-game struggles, Frank Gore and the unit averaged 5.7 yards a pop down in Miami. Gore enters Week 17 at 891 rushing yards. The most intriguing individual number for a Colts player heading into the regular season finale is Gore 109 yards away from 1,000. It's been 55 games since the Colts last had a 100-yard rusher.
It's anyone's guess as to who the Colts starting quarterback will be on Sunday afternoon. Josh Freeman is the most experienced, but he hasn't thrown an NFL pass since 2013. Freeman played with the Brooklyn Bolts of the Fall Experimental Football League this year. Their games were in minor league baseball ballparks in front of a couple thousand fans, max.
It's been another very impressive season for Delanie Walker. The veteran tight end leads the Titans with 85 catches, nearly 50 more than the team's second leading pass catcher.
Jerrell Freeman hasn't received a bunch of accolades this season, but the 29-year-old inside linebacker has played at a very high level. Since the Colts signed Freeman in January of 2012, the former Canadian Football League has been extremely productive for them. Freeman will be an unrestricted free agent this offseason.
On Monday, Adam Vinatieri turned 43 years old. He wraps up the 2015 regular season kicking at the highest level of his 20-year NFL career these past two seasons. Vinatieri, who is a free agent in 2015, hasn't missed a field goal since Week Two of the regular season.
With Marcus Mariota dealing with an MCL sprain, the Titans will turn to Zach Mettenberger for a second straight week. In 2014, Mettenberger was a sixth-round pick out of LSU. Sunday will mark the 10th start in Mettenberger's two NFL seasons.
Since moving back to left guard in Week Three, Jack Mewhort has ranked as one of the league's top guards (per Pro Football Focus). When the Colts address offseason needs in the offensive trenches in 2016, the left side of the line isn't a place to worry.
Back in a 3-4 system, Kendall Langford has had a career-season in his eighth year in the NFL. Langford has a career-high 6.0 sacks and has been arguably the most important free agent signing of the Colts offseason.
Both Coby Fleener and Dwayne Allen are in the final years of their rookie contracts and have seen their production dip in 2015. Fleener continues to be durable though. He's the only Colts player (non-specialist) to play in every game each of the past three seasons.
The Titans front, led by the interior presence of Jurrell Casey, ranks third in the NFL in sacks per pass attempt. The Colts will have a different looking interior of their offensive line on Sunday. With Hugh Thornton (ankle) on injured reserve, the Colts will could slide Joe Reitz inside to right guard, and plug rookie Denzelle Good in at right tackle.
