Week 6
Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
October 18, 2026
Lucas Oil Stadium
AFC South Rivalry
Colts–Titans
AFC South divisional grudge match
The Colts and Titans are AFC South rivals who meet twice a year, a series long shaped by elite Indianapolis quarterbacking. Indianapolis holds a commanding edge in the all-time series, but Tennessee has delivered some of the rivalry's most memorable upsets.
The Rivalry
The roots reach back to 1970, when the franchise now in Tennessee was still the Houston Oilers, but the true rivalry began with the 2002 NFL realignment that placed both clubs in the new AFC South and locked in two annual meetings. The series quickly tilted toward Indianapolis: after Tennessee swept the inaugural 2002 season, the Colts reeled off seven straight wins through 2006, including a 35-3 rout in 2005 that stands as their largest margin in the series. Quarterback play has defined the matchup — Peyton Manning, and later Andrew Luck, who never lost to Tennessee, gave Indianapolis a persistent advantage. The Titans answered with signature moments of their own, twice sweeping a season series and posting their highest point totals against the Colts in 2020.
What's at Stake
Because both teams share the AFC South, every meeting carries direct playoff and division-title weight, and the loser's postseason path can hinge on the result. Indianapolis and Nashville sit a manageable drive apart along the I-65 corridor. For Titans fans, the rivalry is also about flipping a series their franchise has trailed for decades.
Famous Moments
- 1999 — Tennessee won the only postseason meeting, a 19-16 AFC Divisional Round victory at Indianapolis, with Eddie George rushing for 162 yards.
- 2005 — Indianapolis posted a 35-3 win, its largest margin of victory in the series.
- 2006 — Tennessee rallied from a 14-0 hole to win 20-17 on a then-franchise-record 60-yard Rob Bironas field goal.
- 2014 — Andrew Luck threw for 393 yards and four touchdowns in a 44-17 Colts win.
- 2020 — Tennessee beat Indianapolis 45-26, a franchise record for points scored against the Colts.
The Colts–Titans Games in 2026
The Two Teams
AFC South
Indianapolis Colts
Lucas Oil Stadium · Indianapolis
Relocated from Baltimore in 1984, the Colts have won four NFL championships, including two Super Bowls.
AFC South
Tennessee Titans
Nissan Stadium · Nashville
Founded in 1960 as the Houston Oilers, the Titans reached Super Bowl XXXIV after relocating to Tennessee.
Plan the Trip
This is an easy bucket-list pairing for road-tripping fans, with Indianapolis and Nashville linked by a single interstate. The Colts play indoors at Lucas Oil Stadium downtown, steps from Indianapolis's restaurant and museum district. Nashville's Titans host games beside the Cumberland River with Broadway's honky-tonks within walking distance.
Frequently Asked Questions: Colts–Titans
The two teams first met in 1970. The Colts and Titans are AFC South rivals who meet twice a year, a series long shaped by elite Indianapolis quarterbacking. Indianapolis holds a commanding edge in the all-time series, but Tennessee has delivered some of the rivalry's most memorable upsets.
Because both teams share the AFC South, every meeting carries direct playoff and division-title weight, and the loser's postseason path can hinge on the result. Indianapolis and Nashville sit a manageable drive apart along the I-65 corridor. For Titans fans, the rivalry is also about flipping a series their franchise has trailed for decades.
Yes — they meet 2 times in the 2026 NFL season. The game pages, each with a fan-travel guide, are linked on this page.
Indianapolis Colts host at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis; Tennessee Titans play at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
