Titans vs. Colts: 5 Things We Learned from Tennessee's 27-13 Loss

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The Tennessee Titans came into Lucas Oil Stadium expecting to roll over the Indianapolis Colts on their way to the NFL postseason.

What came next was a shocking turn of events, leaving Titans fans stunned and Colts fans celebrating as Indianapolis beat Tennessee for their first win of the season, 27-13.

While we learned that the Colts can win a game, this one was much more about the Titans losing it.

1. Chris Johnson's Time in Tennessee Should Be Up

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Chris Johnson entered the 2011-12 season with high aspirations after receiving a massive contract.

The money seems to have weighed down one of the NFL's fastest backs. 

Johnson had yet another porous performance, rushing for only 55 yards on 15 carries. His burst is gone, Tennessee's new offensive coordinator, Chris Palmer, does not have a clue what to do with him and the offensive line is one of the worst they have fielded in recent years.

If the $56-million man makes it to next year in a Titans uniform, I would be shocked.

2. The Jared Cook Project Looks Like a Failure

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Jared Cook was one of the bright, young stars for the Tennessee Titans throughout training camp. 

Drafted in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Cook was an intriguing pick with a rare combination of size and speed. Tennessee was content to let veteran tight end Bo Scaife walk in free agency, as Cook was expected to take over as the every-down starter. 

Cook finished with nine catches for 103 yards Sunday, which is good on paper, but a key fumble with Tennessee down 14 with 12:53 left in the fourth quarter killed the drive and the clock.

The Titans inability to rely on Cook has been key throughout the year, and his progress, which was raved upon throughout camp, looks to have come to a standstill.

3. Tennessee's Run Defense Continues to Doom This Team

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With the Tennessee Titans needing a stop, only trailing by seven points with 3:43 left in the fourth quarter, the run defense fell apart at the seams.

Eighty yards later, Donald Brown was standing firmly in the end zone, and Tennessee trailed by 14 yet again. 

The running back trio of Delone Carter, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown combined for 205 yards rushing, including a career-high 161 yards for Brown.

Hitting the wrong gap, over pursuing and missing tackles has become a staple for this young run defense.

4. Matt Hasselbeck Was Not Healthy Enough to Start Week 15

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Without looking at stats and simply the way veteran quarterback of the Tennessee Titans Matt Hasselbeck carried himself, it was evident he should not have played in their demoralizing loss.

On the first play of the game, a stretch handoff to running back Chris Johnson, Hasselbeck seemed to tweak his calf, limping after the follow through.

The 13-year veteran was unable to press off the ground on throws, relying on his touch on the ball to get to receivers. A banged-up Hasselbeck was 27-for-40 for 223 yards and two interceptions, one of his worst performances of the year.

Rookie Jake Locker looked far better in garbage time, completing 11-of-16 passes for 108 yards and a touchdown.

5. Tennessee's Playoff Aspirations Look Dead

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The Tennessee Titans trailed the New York Jets by one game in the Wild Card standings coming into their tilt Sunday with the Indianapolis Colts.

With two games left on their schedule they have been virtually counted out, as the Cincinnati Bengals took a one-game lead over the Titans with a win against the St. Louis Rams. 

Tennessee still has an outside shot at entering the playoffs, but will need to beat the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans in their final two games, while the Bengals would need to lose the Baltimore Ravens and the Jets would need to lose against the two of their next three opponents.

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