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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
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Mike Moraitis and Shaun Calderon

Staff picks, predictions for Titans vs. Colts in Week 5

The Tennessee Titans will play their first divisional matchup of the 2023 season when they take on the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday.

The Titans have had the Colts’ number of late, with Tennessee winning six of the last seven meetings between these two teams, including each of the last five.

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It wasn’t always this way, of course, as the Colts dominated the Titans for years during the respective eras of Andrew Luck and Peyton Manning. The Colts have been in quarterback purgatory since then, but they do have some hope in rookie signal-caller, Anthony Richardson.

The Titans started out the week as road underdogs for this matchup, but things have flipped since then, with Tennessee now being favored. The majority of experts are also picking the Titans to win this game.

But now it’s time to tell you what we think. Here’s what Shaun Calderon and Mike Moraitis think will happen for the Week 5 game.

Our picks records

Douglas DeFelice-USA TODAY Sports

Shaun Calderon: 0-4

Mike Moraitis: 0-4

It’s been a rough start to the season for us, to say the least. We picked the Titans to win in each of the games they’ve lost, and picked them to lose in each of the games they’ve won.

What can we say? Fade us.

Now, on to the picks.

Shaun Calderon's pick and prediction

Syndication: The Tennessean

I believe this is going to be a close divisional game that’s going to come down to the very end.

I think we’ll occasionally see the type of special plays that Anthony Richardson is known for, but for the most part, Tennessee ultimately holds him in check for the majority of the game.

Meanwhile, look for Derrick Henry to have another strong showing against an AFC South foe as the Titans ultimately find a way to narrowly win their sixth-straight game over the Colts.

Final score prediction: Titans 26, Colts 21

Mike Moraitis' pick and prediction

Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

The Titans will have their issues containing Anthony Richardson at times, but I think they do a good enough job to not let him wreck this game. Tennessee will get pressure early and often through rookie left tackle Blake Freeland, leading to a few turnovers from the rookie signal-caller.

On offense, look for Derrick Henry to continue to eat against the 11th-worst run defense in the NFL, and DeAndre Hopkins has his best game as a Titan against Indy’s No. 28 pass defense that won’t have the help of the team’s sacks leader, Kwity Paye, a big break for Tennessee’s offensive line.

Final score prediction: Titans 28, Colts 20

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