The 3-12 Tennessee Titans travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the 7-8 Indianapolis Colts in Week 17, and nobody should be interested in watching this game. The matchup figures to be unwatchable, with both sides will be most likely looking ahead to the 2016 offseason and being depleted by injuries at the quarterback position. For these two reasons, these two teams will engage in the most unentertaining game of the weekend.
The Titans have no reason to play for a victory. In fact, they should intentionally try to lose this game. The Titans are currently tied with the Cleveland Browns for the worst record in the NFL, so a loss to the Colts would guarantee the Titans the No. 1 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. This is a draft pick the Titans definitely need considering how poorly the team has played all season.
On the other side, the Colts do have something to play for. They are still not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but the chances are very slim. Even with a win over the Titans, the Colts still need the results of eight other NFL games to go in their favor in order to beat the division-leading Houston Texans via tiebreaker. The Colts can say they are motivated as much as they want, but in reality, such a slim margin for success will have them playing uninspired football Sunday afternoon.
In addition to the lack of motivation, the quarterbacks playing in this game should make everyone change their television channel. The Titans will be starting Zach Mettenberger, who is replacing an injured Marcus Mariota. The Titans are 0-3 with Mettenberger as the starting quarterback, and he has thrown four touchdowns along with six interceptions. Although the Colts’ defense has been poor for much of this season, people should not expect Mettenberger to have success on Sunday.
Interestingly enough, the Titans are still in better shape than the Colts with Mettenberger at quarterback. The Colts’ quarterback situation is an absolute mess. Starting quarterback Andrew Luck is most likely out this weekend again with his lacerated kidney, backup quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is doubtful for Sunday’s game due to a shoulder injury and finally, third-string quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was put on injured reserve Monday. As a result, the Colts will now rely on either Josh Freeman, Ryan Lindley or Stephen Morris to lead them to victory. Freeman and Lindley have not taken an NFL snap this season, while Morris, an undrafted rookie this year, has not taken a NFL snap in his career yet. All signs are pointing to the Colts having a miserable day on offense.
The lack of motivation to win and the quarterback injuries for both sides make this football game unwatchable. Fans should do themselves a favor and not watch one bit of this game, because there will be many much more meaningful contests going on at the same. In all honesty, the only reason for people to watch this game would be for fantasy football purposes, and even then it still might not be worth it.
Kyle Nishida is an Indianapolis Colts beat writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Kyle_Nishida, “Like him” on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.