Colts vs. Titans: At What Point Does Jim Caldwell Feel the Hot Seat?

Colts vs. Titans is drawing plenty of interest from NFL fans across the country. 

Featuring two teams that have struggled this season despite high expectations, the game is sure to serve as either the starting point for Indianapolis Colts' run to the playoffs or the proverbial end for Peyton Manning and Co. 

But as the football world ponders the issues with the typically unflappable Manning, one has to wonder: At what point does Colts head coach Jim Caldwell feel the hot seat? 

Caldwell is in his second year as head coach in Indianapolis, but he has nine years of experience with the team. Caldwell was a big part in the Colts' impressive 12, 13 and 14 win seasons over the last decade. While it's clear that Caldwell was a successful assistant under head coach Tony Dungy, his head coaching skills have been called into question this season as the Colts have struggled to overcome a flurry of injuries and currently own a pedestrian 6-6 record. 

At some point, Manning's dominance is going to end. That may be happening right before our eyes. So, it goes without saying that there is, at the least, a slowly closing window of time Indianapolis has to be Super Bowl champions again.

Last season, Caldwell helped lead Indianapolis to the Super Bowl where it lost to New Orleans, but how much of that was the head coach's doing? Manning threw for 4,500 yards, 24 touchdowns and was the league's MVP last season. 

This season, with the Colts roster a proverbial revolving door due to injuries to key personnel, much of the blame for Indianapolis' 6-6 season up to this point has been on Manning, who has thrown 15 interceptions and holds a passer rating of 89.4. 

Soon enough, much of that blame will be put on Caldwell, who hasn't done much to adjust to the issues Indianapolis has endured this season.

With Manning clearly struggling, likely due to the apparent need to force the ball down the field despite a lack of weapons, it's Caldwell's job to rework the game plan. We all know of Manning's reputation as a "coach on the field", but it's Caldwell's job to steer the ship. 

Because the Colts are still in the mix for a playoff spot, the media, fans and ownership in Indianapolis have been a bit kind to Caldwell. But whether the Colts like it or not, it's a long shot for them to make the playoffs. They'll likely need to be perfect over the next four games to win the AFC South and gain entry into the postseason. And even then, success will be a question. 

Time is running out for the Colts and it’s up to Caldwell to use it wisely.