The Tennessee Titans ended an 11-game losing streak to the Colts with a Week 6 victory against Indianapolis. Can the Indy defense stop Marcus Mariota and company, or will the Titans make it two straight wins over the Colts?
The Colts lost to the Titans 36-22 on Monday Night Football in Week 6. However, the final score is not indicative of how close the game actually was. The Colts led the game by 10 early in the second half and held a 19-15 lead going into the fourth quarter.
The Titans went on a 15-play 87-yard drive, capped off by a DeMarco Murray touchdown, to take a 22-19 lead early in the fourth quarter. Taywan Taylor‘s 53-yard touchdown catch, combined with Derrick Henry‘s 72-yard run to pay dirt in the final minute, made the game appear more lopsided than it really was.
This week those same Titans bring their talented offense to Lucas Oil Stadium. Marcus Mariota was somewhat hobbled the last time these two teams met, but that won’t be the case on Sunday as he is fully recovered from his hamstring injury that limited his mobility in Week 6. Look for him to use his athleticism to roll out of the pocket and attempt big plays down the field off of play-action fakes.
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Mariota threw for over 300 yards with a touchdown in the teams’ last meeting, but he did throw a interception that was returned for a touchdown as well. The Colts will need Jabaal Sheard and the rest of the Colts’ front seven to put consistent pressure on Mariota and hopefully force him into some errant throws. Pittsburgh was successful in doing that during the Titans’ last game where Mariota threw 4 interceptions.
With the exception of the aforementioned 72-yard touchdown run by Henry, the Colts kept the Titans’ running game in check. Minus the last-minute romp by Henry, the Colts held the Tennessee running backs to 99 yards for an average of 3.3 yards per rush. Another strong effort by Al Woods, Johnathan Hankins and the defensive line will be necessary to keep DeMarco Murray and Derrick Henry from wreaking havoc on the Colts defense.
The Titans first-round rookie wide receiver Corey Davis was absent for the first game against the Colts. Davis hasn’t been much of a factor this season recording no touchdowns with his biggest play of the season being a 23-yard reception.
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Eric Decker was the leading receiver for Tennessee in the previous game hauling in 7 passes for 88 yards. Taywan Taylor is the Titans’ slot receiver, and his lone touchdown of the season came against the Colts back in October. Rishard Matthews leads all Titans receivers on the season with 41 catches for 626 yards.
The Titans’ do-it-all tight end Delanie Walker is always tough to contain. However, Walker emerged on the injury report on Monday with wrist and ankle problems. While Walker has yet to reach the end zone this season, he is always a threat do so when he has the ball in his hands.
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The Titans have all the elements of a dynamic offense, however, the Colts showed the ability to keep them contained for three quarters in their last meeting. If the Indianapolis defense can put together a full 60 minutes on Sunday they have an opportunity to walk out with a victory this time around.