(Mandatory Photo Credit: Cameron Faulkner / tennesseetitans.com)
Written By: Joseph Yun
Twitter: @2Yoon2ZeroBlitz
Fresh off the news that they have agreed to a new stadium with the city, the Titans host archrival Indianapolis. Tennessee has a chance to sweep the season series in front of hundreds of alumni, including franchise legends Delanie Walker, Jurrell Casey, Chris Johnson, Elvin Bethea, Warren Moon, and Dan Pastorini. The recently retired Walker and legend Pastorini will be the 12th Titans. The streaking Colts will look to ruin Alumni Weekend for their rivals as they look to claw back in the suddenly ultra-competitive AFC South.
Colts' key numbers + info
HC: Frank Reich (40-30-1 career)
OC: Marcus Brady
DC: Gus Bradley
2022 Record: 3-2-1 (1-2-1 AFC South)
PPG: 17.2
PPG Against: 20.2
Rush yards: 502
Rush yards allowed: 726
Avg. per rush attempt: 3.5
Avg per attempt allowed: 4.1
Pass completion rate: 67%
Pass completion allowed: 68%
Leading Rusher: Jonathan Taylor (81 attempts for 328 yards and one touchdown)
Leading Receiver: Michael Pittman, Jr (38 receptions for 417 yards and two touchdowns)
Leading Tackler: Zaire Franklin (66 tackles, three tackles for loss, two passes defended)
Key Additions: QB Matt Ryan, DE Yannick Ngakoue, CB Stephon Gilmore, P Matt Haack, S Nick Cross (rookie), OT Dennis Kelly, WR Alec Pierce (rookie), TE Jelani Woods (rookie), S Rodney McLeod, WR Alec Pierce (rookie), K Chase McLaughlin, OT Bernhard Raimann (rookie)
Key Losses: LB Shaquille Leonard (Injured) P Rigoberto Sanchez (IR), CB Rock Ya-Sin, QB Carson Wentz, TE Jack Doyle (retired), S Khari Willis (retired), K Rodrigo Blankenship, WR Ashton Dulin (IR), DE Kwity Paye (Injured)
Series History
The Colts lead the all-time series 35-21-0. Tennessee currently owns 14-29 against the Colts since the 2000 season when they began facing Indianapolis as the Titans. They have won five of the seven past matchups, including three straight.
Keys to a Titans Victory
Keep Away
- The Colts are allowing 121 yards per game on the ground. You’ll never guess who ran past the century mark the last time on their turf and purged some injury related demons on said turf. As turnover prone as Matt Ryan is, it would behoove the Titans to play keep away against the suddenly explosive Colts offense. The defense isn’t up to par with the critical loss of Harold Landry and numerous other injuries.
Second Half
- This team can’t keep on having to hold on by the skin of their teeth every second half this season, can they? It’s a disturbing trend that needs to be curbed and soon. Hopefully Tennessee took the bye week and figured out some things. First half, they look like world beaters. The second half has been a different nightmare every week worthy of an American Horror Story series.
Get 17 Going
- Tannehill has struggled to get anything going this season with a plethora of skill guys not performing up to standard. He needs to prove that he can beat secondaries over the top on a consistent basis but that requires the offensive line to not be turnstiles. Can he get Robert Woods and Austin Hooper more involved in the passing game? Derrick Henry has been a PPR freak this season. Who will be WR2 with a rotating cast seemingly every practice?
Keys to a Colts Victory
New horizons for the offensive line?
- The offense finally has awoken from its slumber after blitzing the Jaguars in the second half last week. Key to that awakening was the offensive line who led the effort last Sunday afternoon. They have been very derided much to the chagrin of Colts head coach Frank Reich and quarterback Matt Ryan. Can they keep up the good times against a relentless Titans front seven?
Find WR2
- Much like their adversaries in Nashville, the Colts don’t have a reliable second banana to support emergent star receiver Michael Pittman, Jr. Playing cameo roles have been tight end Jelani Woods, Mo Alie-Cox, and a raft of rookies and veterans alike. Receivers such as Alec Pierce, Parris Campbell, and even running back Nyheim Hines have pitched in. A true blue number two has to be found to take the heat off of Pittman. Even a hint of reliability could get the defensive focus off of him. Can they find one?
Ball Control
- Matt Ryan has an immense ELEVEN fumbles and seven interceptions to his name, which accounts for a whopping 18 of the 21 turnovers blamed on the offense. For the Colts to win, this trend simply cannot continue against a defense that feasts on critical turnovers. Indianapolis can’t give the ball away to a scuffling offense that can’t get out of its way short fields and expect to win. Give the rock to reliable Jonathan Taylor and get out of the way. The Titans' defense was last seen allowing Carson Wentz to do whatever he wanted until a game-ending interception near the goal line. When that defense appears, the Colts need to capitalize with touchdowns to force Tennessee’s putrid second-half offense into action.
Injury Report - Colts @ Titans
What are the Odds?
BetMGM has the Titans being 2.5-point favorites at -110, the money line at -145 for Tennessee, and the Colts at +120. over/under is set at 42.5.
Caesar’s has the Titans being 2.5-point favorites at -110, the money line being -141 for Tennessee, and the Colts being +118. The over/under is set at 42.
WynnBet has the Titans being 2.5-point favorites at -110, the money line being -145 for Tennessee and the Colts being +120. The over/under is set at 42.
DraftKings has the Titans being 2.5-point favorites at -110, the money line being -135 for the Titans, and the Colts being +115. over/under is set at 42.
Media Picks
Prediction
INDIANAPOLIS 28
Tennessee 24