If you just looked at the final Colts vs Titans score from their latest meeting, you might think it was just another routine divisional blowout. A 38-14 win for Indianapolis in late October usually tells a simple story. But sports are rarely that tidy. Honestly, the 2025 season series between these two felt less like a rivalry and more like a changing of the guard, or perhaps a temporary eviction.
The Colts didn't just win. They dismantled.
By the time the final whistle blew at Lucas Oil Stadium on October 26, 2025, the Titans were sitting at a dismal 1-7. Meanwhile, the Colts were flying high at 7-1, boasting the best record in the NFL. It's a jarring flip from just a few years ago when Derrick Henry was treating the Indy defense like a light morning jog.
The Numbers That Mattered
The scoreboards in 2025 weren't kind to Tennessee. In Week 3, the Colts went into Nashville and walked away with a 41-20 victory. Fast forward to Week 8, and the scene repeated itself in Indy with that 38-14 scoreline.
If you're doing the math, that’s a combined 79-34. Ouch.
Breaking Down the Week 8 Rout
That October afternoon started deceptively slow. The Colts took a 10-0 lead thanks to a Michael Badgley field goal and an 18-yard scamper by Jonathan Taylor. But the Titans actually showed a spark. Rookie quarterback Cam Ward, who has had a "trial by fire" kind of season, found Gunnar Helm for a 1-yard score to make it 10-7.
Then the wheels fell off.
It happened right after halftime. The Titans punted. On the very next play, Jonathan Taylor found a seam and didn't stop until he hit the end zone 80 yards later. That single play basically sucked the air out of the building. By the time Josh Downs caught a 10-yard touchdown from Daniel Jones, the game was essentially over.
Why Jonathan Taylor is a Nightmare for Nashville
There is "playing well," and then there is whatever Jonathan Taylor does to the Titans. Taylor became the first player in NFL history to score three touchdowns in three consecutive games against the same team.
He did it in December 2024.
He did it in September 2025.
He did it again in October 2025.
In that Week 8 game, Taylor only needed 12 carries to rack up 153 yards. That's nearly 13 yards every time he touched the ball. When your lead back is averaging a first down and a half per carry, the opposing defensive coordinator is usually looking for a new line of work by Monday morning.
The Daniel Jones Factor
We have to talk about Daniel Jones. His arrival in Indy was met with plenty of skepticism—and understandably so—but Shane Steichen’s offense seems to be his "Goldilocks" zone. He wasn't asked to be a hero. He just had to be efficient.
Against the Titans, he was exactly that:
- 21 of 29 passing
- 272 yards
- 3 touchdowns
- 0 interceptions
He’s basically become the ultimate point guard for an offense that features Michael Pittman Jr. and Alec Pierce. It's not always flashy, but it's effective.
What's Wrong With the Titans?
It’s hard to watch. For a team that defined the AFC South for years with a "run first, hit hard" identity, they look lost. Brian Callahan was out. Mike McCoy took over as the interim, but the results didn't magically shift.
The defense is struggling with injuries. They played the October game without Jeffery Simmons, and then lost Ali Gaye and Xavier Woods during the game. You can’t lose your defensive anchors and expect to stop a guy like Taylor.
Cam Ward has the talent. You can see it in flashes—like that 41-yard Tyjae Spears run he set up or his 259 passing yards. But the consistency isn't there yet. He’s a rookie playing behind a line that let him get sacked three times in Week 8 and four times back in Week 3.
The Rivalry Context
Historically, the Colts lead this series 41-22. But rivalries are about "what have you done for me lately?"
The Colts have now won six straight against Tennessee. The pendulum has swung completely back to the blue and white. During the Andrew Luck era, the Colts were 11-0 against the Titans. Then the Titans took five in a row during the early 2020s. Now? We are firmly back in an era of Indy dominance.
Real-World Takeaways for Fans
If you're a bettor or a fantasy owner, there are a few things that have become "set in stone" regarding this matchup:
- Always Start Taylor: Never, under any circumstances, bench Jonathan Taylor when he plays the Titans. The history is too overwhelming to ignore.
- The Over/Under Trap: The Colts are currently the highest-scoring team in the league. When they play a struggling defense like Tennessee's, the "over" usually looks tempting, but the Colts' ability to salt away the clock in the fourth quarter can sometimes keep the total score lower than the blowout suggests.
- Watch the Trenches: The Titans' offensive line is the primary hurdle for Cam Ward’s development. Until they can protect him, the Colts vs Titans score will continue to look lopsided.
The gap between these two teams currently feels like a canyon. One team is eyeing a deep playoff run and a potential Super Bowl appearance, while the other is looking toward the top of the 2026 NFL Draft.
If you want to track how this evolves, keep a close eye on the Titans' coaching search this offseason. Whoever takes that job has one primary task: figure out how to stop #28 in Indianapolis. Until that happens, the scores aren't going to get any prettier for the folks in Nashville.
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For those looking to catch the next chapter, the 2026 schedule will likely follow the same home-and-away format. If the Titans can't bolster their defensive front through free agency or the draft, expect the oddsmakers to keep leaning heavily toward the Colts in every divisional meeting.
Keep an eye on the injury reports for the next meeting. If the Titans get Simmons back and the Colts lose a key piece of their offensive line, the score might tighten up, but the talent gap at the skill positions remains the deciding factor for now.