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Baxter Bits: Titans (14-3) at Colts (13-3)
By Russell S. Baxter
Special to ESPN.com
The Titans make their first appearance at the RCA Dome since 1994 as these teams collide for just the fourth time in the 1990s and the first time in the playoffs as the Colts host their first postseason game at Indianapolis.
|  | | | Peyton Manning will be making his first playoff start Sunday. |
These teams have split their previous 14 meetings (7-7) dating back to 1970, the Colts posting a 45-21 victory in 1994 at Indianapolis in the most recent encounter between the clubs.
The Titans are just 2-3 lifetime at the RCA Dome dating back to 1985 and own a 4-5 road mark in this series (2-3 at Indianapolis, 2-2 at Baltimore) dating back to 1973.
Numbers: Including playoffs, the Titans have forced two or more turnovers in five straight games. Including playoffs, the Titans have rushed for 130 or more yards in five straight games.
After throwing just three touchdown passes and 11 interceptions in his first 4 games, Colts QB Peyton Manning has thrown 49 TD passes and 32 interceptions in his last 28 contests dating back to '98, throwing 2 or more touchdown passes in 16 of his last 27 games. However, Manning has thrown two or more interceptions in 10 of his last 25 contests. After allowing an AFC-high 62 sacks in 16 games in 1997, the Colts have allowed just 36 sacks in their last 32 games dating back to '98. After allowing 11 sacks in their first four games in 1998, the Colts have allowed just 25 sacks in their last 28 contests, giving up zero sacks in 14 of those 27 contests. Colts rookie RB Edgerrin James has rushed for 100 or more yards in 10-of-16 contests in '99. The Colts have allowed 237 points in 13 wins, 96 points in three losses in '99. They have not forced a turnover in three straight games, and have not recorded a sack in two straight games. The Colts have allowed 130 or more yards rushing in three straight games. PK Mike Vanderjagt has connected on 26 consecutive field goals.
The Coaches: Titans head coach Jeff Fisher is 1-0 in postseason play, while Colts head coach Jim Mora is 0-4 in postseason play (0-4 with Saints, 0-0 with Colts).
Postseason History: The Titans are making their 16th overall playoff appearance (11th since merger) and are 10-13 in postseason play (8-10 since merger), while Colts are making their 14th overall playoff appearance (9th since merger) and are 10-10 in postseason play (6-7 since merger).
Things To Look For: While Jim Mora's team certainly earned a first-round bye, it would have been fun to see these teams battle in Nashville to see the fans perhaps spilt between rooting for the Titans and/or local hero Colts QB Peyton Manning. More importantly, Indianapolis' slumping defense must improve its recent shaky play against the run, or surging Titans' RB Eddie George will enjoy a huge afternoon.
Etc.: The Colts are making their first playoff appearance since 1996 and are hosting a postseason game for the first time since the then-Baltimore Colts lost to the Oakland Raiders, 37-31 in overtime, in the 1977 AFC Divisional Playoffs at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium. The Titans are coming off their first postseason victory since 1991, a 17-10 win by the then-Houston Oilers over the N.Y. Jets at the Astrodome in the '91 AFC Wild Card Playoffs. Including playoffs, the Titans have won five straight games. The Colts have won six straight home games. The Colts are 13-3 in 1999, this after finishing a combined 6-26 in 1997-98.
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