The Tennessee Titans are a little more than 24 hours away from their first AFC South showdown of the 2023 season when they travel to Lucas Oil Stadium to take on the Indianapolis Colts.
This is a massive game for both teams as they try to get above .500 while possibly taking sole possession of the division by the end of the weekend should everything end up falling into place.
Buy Titans TicketsThat will happen if the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans both lose their games.
Tennessee has won the last five meetings against the Colts dating back to 2020, winning both of last year’s matchups by an average of eight points.
The Titans are seeking their first road victory of the season. Their last road trip to Cleveland was a complete disaster, so they must find a way to avoid that from happening again.
This week’s game against Indy has several intriguing matchups, so let’s take a closer look at the five we’ll be keeping our eyes on come Sunday.
DL Jeffery Simmons vs. LG Quenton Nelson
This is one of my favorite individual matchups every single season.
Whenever you see Jeffery Simmons and Quenton Nelson lined up across from each other, you’re almost guaranteed a physical battle in the trenches between two of the league’s best at their respective positions.
The Notre Dane product currently has the fifth-highest pass-blocking efficiency rating amongst guards, earning an impressive 98.7, per Pro Football Focus.
However, Nelson’s overall grade is only 65.9 due to the fact that he hasn’t been as consistent in the run game as he normally is, combined with his being tied for the sixth-most penalties among guards (three).
#98 Travis Jones Vs 5 time pro bowler and 3 time all pro Quenton Nelson
Travis jones STANDS HIM UP and stacks and sheds to make the stop pic.twitter.com/zv1dOsf6ZN
— Yuri (@MR___Yuri) September 26, 2023
As for Simmons, he’s having another dominant season in his own right. He continues to be arguably the main reason why the Titans once again have a top-five run defense, and he’s tied for the fourth-most sacks at his position with three in four weeks.
4 weeks of Jeffery Simmons pic.twitter.com/nohzH7USaT
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) October 4, 2023
Simmons likely won’t be lined up across from Nelson on every defensive snap, but when he is, you can expect to see some fireworks.
Titans' run defense vs. RB Jonathan Taylor
As we mentioned in the previous section, Tennessee is entering this week’s divisional showdown having the fourth-stingiest run defense in the NFL, only allowing a measly 70.0 yards per game.
This isn’t some early-season fluke, either. The Titans have sported one of the best run defenses for two-plus seasons now, finishing second and first in 2021 and 2022, respectively.
This week, Tennessee’s run defense might get the privilege of being Jonathan Taylor’s first game back if he suits up after his injury (and a possible holdout) prevented him from playing in the first four games.
It’s impossible to project what type of impact Taylor will have if he plays in Week 5, especially when you consider the fact that he didn’t practice the entire offseason.
JT did practice this week in its entirety, but that’s hardly enough time to make up for not being present for valuable practice reps throughout training camp.
With that said, Taylor is a phenomenal talent who is capable of producing a big play at any moment, so the Titans’ defense has to make sure its focused and prepared to execute its assignments whenever he steps on the field.
Taylor hasn’t had much success against the Titans in his career, though, as the Colts running back is averaging just 49.2 yards per game over five career contests versus Tennessee.
Titans' pass rush vs. QB Anthony Richardson
This one is extra important because Tennessee got absolutely destroyed the last time it played an athletic quarterback who is capable of evading pressure and extending the play.
If Tennessee wants its best chance to limit Anthony Richardson’s impact, the pass-rush must not only put pressure on the rookie quarterback, but it has to ensure it’s disciplined with containment in order to keep him in the pocket.
As many expected, Richardson has struggled with his accuracy on several makeable throws through the first four weeks, easily coming in with the lowest completion percentage above expected entering Week 5, per RBSDM.
Despite those inconsistencies, Richardson remains one of the most electric playmakers with his legs. He also produces some of the most ridiculous passes that you’ll ever see due to his other-worldly arm strength that is capable of pushing the ball downfield with unbelievable velocity.
Anthony Richardson put this one on a rope! He's back. pic.twitter.com/TekfwrpTFv
— NFL UK (@NFLUK) October 1, 2023
The Titans’ pass-rush enters Sunday’s game tied for the seventh-most sacks per game, getting to the opposing quarterback an average of 3.3 times per contest.
Fortunately for Tennessee, the Colts will be without their standout left tackle Bernhard Raimann due to a concussion. Prior to the injury, Raimann had been playing like a top offensive tackle, producing an impressive pass-blocking grade of 80.5 and an overall grade of 78.3, per PFF.
He is being replaced by rookie lineman Blake Freeland, who is coming off an underwhelming Week 4 game in which he recorded a blocking grade of 44.6 and allowed four pressures.
#Colts Week 4 blocking grades against the #Rams per PFF
Blake Freeland – 44.6
Quenton Nelson – 76.8
Wesley French – 47.2
Will Fries – 54.4
Braden Smith – 83.7— Noah Compton (@nerlens_) October 2, 2023
If the Titans want to leave Indianapolis with a win, they must get to Richardson early and often, and when they do they cannot miss.
Otherwise, it could be another long day on the road.
RB Derrick Henry vs. Colts’ run defense
Derrick Henry is coming off the strongest game of his season in Week 4. The All-Pro ball carrier ran the ball 22 times for 122 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and one touchdown.
CLASSIC DERRICK HENRY 😤 pic.twitter.com/4qB0wXC1sT
— PFF (@PFF) October 1, 2023
This week he gets the opportunity to face a Colts run defense that is entering the weekend allowing the 11th-most rushing yards per game, giving up an average of 126.8 yards per contest through the first four weeks.
History also happens to be on King Henry’s side. To say he has dominated during his matchups against the AFC South during his career would be putting it mildly.
The Alabama legend has recorded over 100 rushing yards in 13 of his last 14 division meetings, with the one game being the 2021 contest in Indianapolis in which he suffered a broken foot in the first half.
Fortunately for the Titans, they’re getting arguably their best offensive lineman back in the lineup, as Peter Skoronski is set to return after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in Week 2.
The rookie lineman was phenomenal in his only outing thus far, and he should be able to help open things up in the run game for Henry to take advantage of.
Back to back Peter Skoronski plays – he was by far the Titans' best offensive player yesterday (low bar) pic.twitter.com/D8L0F3bZqX
— James Foster (@NoFlagsFilm) September 11, 2023
Making matters worse for Indy in this matchup, the defense will be without the services of linebacker Shaquille Leonard and defensive end Kwity Paye.
Titans' WRs vs. CB JuJu Brents
An already shaky Colts secondary lost starting cornerback Dallis Flowers last week when he suffered a torn Achilles, ending his season. Indianapolis will likely deploy rookie JuJu Brents in his spot, and it’s possible we see some Jaylon Jones, also.
Brents has given up completions on 10-of-12 passes (83.3 percent) thrown his way for 88 yards and a passer rating allowed of 97.2. Meanwhile, Jones has yet to be targeted, as he’s played just seven defensive snaps.
No matter if its DeAndre Hopkins, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Chris Moore lining up against him, the Titans need to challenge Brents, something they will almost certainly do.
-Mike Moraitis
