By: Justin Hawkins
“I love winning, and I love winning at home. Those guys had our number the past few years, so it was good to get on the right side of that.” – Ryan Tannehill
The Tennessee Titans this season have showed they know how to put together a good scheme at home, but have yet to prove that on the road. The Titans are 2-2 on the season with both wins coming at home. On Sunday, the Titans displayed what their new offense can be capable of in a monstrous 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at home. Now, the Titans will turn their attention as they head to Indianapolis for a meeting with the Colts (2-2) to face their first AFC South test of the season, who lost in overtime at home against the Los Angeles Rams. After four weeks of play, the AFC South is in 4-way standstill. Here is what the standings look like.
Last Time Out
Titans
The Titans played their most complete and complimentary football of the season Sunday against the Bengals on their way to 27-3 rout. The Titans accumulated 400 total yards of offense and limited the Bengals to just 211 yards with their swarming play on defense.
The offense put on a show led by quarterback Ryan Tannehill who went 18 of 25 for 240 yards with a touchdown and interception, and running back Derrick Henry who rushed 22 times for 122 yards and a touchdown as well as a two-yard passing touchdown to rookie tight end Josh Whyle. Henry’s rushing touchdown came with four minutes left in the first half where he ran left side for 29 yards as he broke two tackles to find his way into the end zone for his second rushing touchdown of the season. After the game, Mike Vrabel, Ryan Tannehill, and Derrick Henry mentioned the word “fun” when talking about the offensive performance who put up 24 unanswered points in the first half. Derrick Henry had himself a history making day by passing Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell (8,574) for 2nd on the franchises all-time leading rushing list with 8,620 rushing yards. The king now needs 1,389 more yards to pass Titans great Eddie George (10,009) to sit atop the throne of most rushing yards in the franchises history. The Titans offensive line had their best performance this season as they allowed three sacks and gave Tannehill and Henry time to operate. The offense connected on touchdowns on three consecutive drives and put the Bengals in a massive hole early starting off with a 5-play 78 yard drive resulting in a Nick Westbrook-Ikhine 13-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Tannehill. The two Derrick Henry touchdowns ensued after. The Titans also managed to start the third quarter on a drive lasting 10:22 that ended in a field goal to put a choke hold on the Titans lead.
Rookie running back Tyjae Spears continues to be impressive and a weapon in this offense. Spears rushed five times for forty yards (8.0 avg) and caught 3 balls for 18 yards. Spears most notable part of the day came on the Titans fourth possession when he picked up a Tannehill fumble and turned a loss into a shifty 26 yard gain.
The defense also had their fun as they held the Bengals to just three points, sacked Joe Burrow three times (one was a strip sack and fumble recovered by Kevin Byard), had nine quarterback hits, and did not allow either a 100 yard rusher, extending their streak to 20 games, or 100 yard receiver. Jeffery Simmons, Arden Key, and Trevis Gipson (strip sack) had the three sacks on the day. The Titans secondary, played fairly well in comparison to the last three weeks.
The Titans secondary in coverage: Kristian Fulton allowed 3 catches on 5 targets for 25 yards. Sean Murphy-Bunting allowed 4 catches on 4 targets for 48 yards. Roger McCreary allowed 5 catches on 6 targets for 51 yards. Kevin Byard allowed 3 catches on 3 targets for 15 yards. Amani Hooker allowed 2 catches on 2 targets for 8 yards.
While the yardage total is low, the efficiency is still higher than most would like. The Titans, as a whole on defense, shut Burrow down holding him to 20 of 30 for just 165 yards.
The Titans now embark on a long road journey that will see just one contest at home at Nissan Stadium in seven weeks. That journey goes as follows: in Indianapolis Oct. 8, in London hosting Baltimore Oct. 15, week 7 bye, home against Atlanta Oct. 29, Thursday night in Pittsburgh Nov. 2, in Tampa Bay Nov. 12, and in Jacksonville Nov. 19. This will be a tough test for the two-tone blue.
Colts
The Colts hosted a tough Los Angeles Rams team and ended up losing 29-23 in overtime. After going down 23-0 midway through the 3rd quarter, the Colts tried to complete an almost improbable comeback. The Colts went on to score an unanswered 23 points to tie the game and eventually send the game into overtime. The Rams took the first possession and the win as they went eight plays for 75 yards and a touchdown.
Even with the loss, the Colts, led by Richardson, have been better than expected through four games. In this one, Richardson went 11 of 25 for 200 yards and two touchdowns to go along with 10 carries for 56 yards a rushing a touchdown and a lost fumble. Running back Zack Moss carried the ball 70 yards.
The Colts defense continues to be one that is solid up front but leaky on the back end. The defense allowed Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford to 27 of 40 for 319 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Rams rookie wide receiver Puka Nacua gashed the Colts secondary catching nine balls for 163 yards and the game winning touchdown in overtime. The Rams also were able to rush the ball efficiently with Kyrien Williams going 103 yards and two touchdowns.
The Matchup
All-time the Titans and Colts have played 57 times. The Colts lead the series 35-22, but the Titans have won the last six of seven, and the last four in Indianapolis.
The Colts are four weeks into a new era for the franchise, who have both a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback leading the way. The Colts hired former Philadelphia Eagles OC Shane Steichen and drafted former Florida Gators quarterback Anthony Richardson fourth overall in this past years draft. The Colts sit at 2-2 on the season with both losses coming at home and their two wins coming on the road.
Richardson has passed for 479 yards with three touchdowns and one interception to go along with 131 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He missed week three and half of week two due to a concussion, but he has been what the Colts hoped for. The Colts have been without star running back Jonathan Taylor, who has been on the PUP list and in a heated dispute over the lack of a contract extension while demanding a trade, but could be back this week. The Colts activated Jonathan Taylor off of the PUP list and head coach Shane Steichen said he could be available this Sunday against the Titans.
The Colts offense is an unknown to this point in the season with Anthony Richardson leading the way. While Richardson is playing, they have yet to see a stout defensive front that can put consistent pressure on him. The Colts also have not had Jonathan Taylor in the lineup to see what that balance could look like. What is known is that Richardson has done well as running the football and not made many mistakes in the passing game.
The Titans defensive line has done a great job of pressuring the opposing quarterbacks and limiting the run. The Titans are tied for 4th in the league with 13 sacks on the season, and 4th in the league at rush yards against with 280. The Colts, on the other hand, are pretty comparable being tied for 3rd in sacks with 14, but 23rd in the league against the rush allowing 507 yards.
This game will be a big test in how the Titans can limit Anthony Richardson’s dual threat abilities, and if the Colts can slow down Derrick Henry and the Titans rushing attack who have been dominant over the Colts the last seven meetings.
Game Information
Tennessee Titans @ Indianapolis Colts
Time: October 8 @ 12:00 PM CT
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
TV Broadcast: CBS (WTVF News 5)
TV Broadcast Crew: Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta, Amanda Renner
Radio: Titans Radio (104-5 The Zone)
Radio Broadcast Crew: Mike Keith, Dave McGinnis, Ramo Foster, Rhett Bryan
Referee: TBA
Line: TEN -1
Over/Under: 42.5
Things To Watch
Winning in INDY
The Tennessee Titans have not lost in Indianapolis since 2018 when Andrew Luck was still quarterbacking the Colts. Since then, the Titans have won up there four straight times and will look to make this Sunday the fifth straight. It would also make the sixth straight win against the Colts if the Titans can pull out the victory.
Autry’s Revenge
Since leaving the Colts and joining the Titans in 2021, Denico Autry has been wildly efficient against his former team. In three games, Autry has registered eight tackles, three sacks, and one forced fumble (strip sacked Matt Ryan on third down that was recovered by OLB Bud Dupree *10/2/22*). So far this season, Autry has 3.5 sacks, and 13 tackles. Is more success on the way?
Derrick Henry vs. Colts
In 14 career games agains the Colts, Derrick Henry has seven 100-yard rushing performances. He has totaled 253 carries for 1,287 yards and seven touchdowns as well as 20 receptions for 153 yards in those 14 contests. As the Titans bone fide starter since 2019, Derrick Henry has rushed for over 100-yards six of the last eight meetings and three of them being in Indianapolis going as follows: 128, 114 & 1 TD, 113, 68, 178 & 3 TD, 103, 149 & 1 TD, 82 & 1 TD.
Derrick Henry has had a lot of success running the football against the Titans AFC South Division rival Colts, and him rushing over 100 yards for the first time last week against the Bengals couldn’t have come at a better time. Henry and the Titans offensive line should have confidence going into this matchup.
Slow Down Richardson
Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson has been hot to start the season with two 200+ yard passing games with three touchdowns and adding four rushing touchdowns to go with it. The Titans provide the toughest test to this point from a defensive stand point so it will be the first time the NFL could see how Richardson and the Colts react to heavy pressure. If you minimize Richardson’s efficiency, then you minimize the Colts on offense.
Taking Home On The Road
The Titans are 2-2 on the season with the wins coming at home and the losses coming on the road. The Titans need to take some of that “fun” they had in Nashville last week with them on the road and prove they can win away from home. It starts with the offense putting pressure on the Colts secondary and rush defense that rank 28th and 23rd respectively. The Colts have not won this season at home, so the Titans should take advantage.
Peter Skoronski & Nicholas Petit-Frere To Return?
Titans rookie offensive lineman Peter Skoronski missed the last three weeks due to appendectomy surgery, but he was able to return to practice this week. Also, second year right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere was suspended six games before the season started due to violating the leagues’ gambling policy but received notice early last week that it had been reduced to four games. The Titans offensive line has not been great so far, but news of both lineman returning to practice this week is a great sign that positive things could be ahead. The only question is, how will the Titans offensive line look this week? 3 possibilities (among others) include:
71 Dillard, 77 Skoronski, 55 Brewer, 60 Brunskill, 66 Hubbard
77 Skoronski, 75 Radunz, 55 Brewer, 60 Brunskill, 78 Petit-Frere
71 Dillard, 77 Skoronski, 55 Brewer, 60 Brunskill, 78 Petit-Frere
Did You Know?
- Kicker Nick Folk enters the game with a streak of 18 consecutive field goals made. He also enters the game with a streak of 65 consecutive field goals made on attempts from less than 40 yards. Justin Tucker holds the NFL record with a streak of 70 consecutive made field goals from under 40 yards.
- The Titans defense enters the game with a streak of 10 consecutive games without allowing the opposing offense to reach 100 rushing yards and also has gone 20 games without allowing an individual 100-yard rushing performance.
- After last weeks win, the Titans, from 2020-2023, are 11-2 in the month of October. During that span, their .846 winning percentage in October leads the NFL.
