The Tennessee Titans will look to get to over .500 for the first time this year when they meet the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium in Week 5.
Unlike the Titans, the Colts have tasted a record above .500 this year, but they came back down to even after dropping their Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Rams, giving them a 2-2 record like the rest of the division.
Buy Titans TicketsThe winner of this game will have a share of first place, at least, but the Titans or Colts may sit atop the division alone if both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Houston Texans lose their respective games.
For most teams, the potential return of Colts running back Jonathan Taylor would be a pretty big concern, but the Titans currently sport the No. 4 run defense in the NFL, and Tennessee has been elite in that area for two-plus years now.
Further, Taylor hasn’t had any success against Tennessee over his young career, with the Wisconsin product averaging just 49.2 yards per over five games.
Now, a look at the Titans’ reasons for optimism and concern going into their Week 5 battle against the Colts.
Optimism and concern: Titans' offensive line
The Titans’ offensive line had a bounce-back game in Week 4, both in pass protection and run-blocking. Left tackle Andre Dillard showed the most improvement after getting ravaged by the Cleveland Browns in Week 3.
But the unit certainly isn’t out of the woods yet, as Dillard and the offensive line need to string together multiple good games before we can start being believers.
The leash on Dillard may be shorter than normal, though, as the Titans have been giving returning tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere, who figures to be on the bench, reps on the left side throughout the week.
This won’t be any easy matchup by any stretch, as the Colts have tallied 14 sacks through four games, tied for sixth in the NFL. However, Indy will be without its sacks leader, Kwity Paye, who was ruled out on Friday.
Tennessee’s offensive line figures to be at full strength for the first time since Week 1, though, as left guard Peter Skoronski appears set to make his return after a three-game absence due to an appendectomy.
Optimism: Colts' pass defense
If the Titans can keep the Colts pass-rush in check, quarterback Ryan Tannehill should find success through the air.
Coming into this game, the Colts sport the No. 28 pass defense in the NFL, with Indy surrendering 263.8 pass yards per game over its first four.
Things won’t get any easier for the Colts’ secondary, either, as an already shaky unit lost the services of starting cornerback Dallis Flowers, who suffered a torn Achilles last week.
Indy figures to deploy a rookie in Flowers’ stead, with JuJu Brents and/or Jaylon Jones likely to step into that role. Look for Tennessee to test the rookie corners on Sunday.
Concern: QB Anthony Richardson
While he still has work to do as a passer, Richardson has flashed in that area so far this year. However, the real concern with the Colts rookie is his ability to make plays with his legs.
Richardson is averaging 43.7 rushing yards per game and his four rushing touchdowns are tied for sixth in the NFL, regardless of position.
The Titans have to make sure they don’t let Richardson escape the pocket and make back-breaking plays to extend drives. Instead, they have to force the No. 4 overall pick to beat them with his arm.
Optimism: Derrick Henry's AFC South dominance
Derrick Henry will look to continue the dominance he has displayed over his AFC South foes during his career.
Since 1970, Henry ranks second in NFL history in terms of yards per game against divisional opponents (103.6) and first in yards per carry (5.47).
The King has also rushed for 100 yards or more in six straight contests versus AFC South opponents, and he’s broken the century mark in six of his last eight games against the Colts.
The Colts haven’t been good against the run this season, with Indy ranking 23rd in the league (126.8 rushing yards per game).
Concern: The Colts are due
After years of dominance by the Colts, the Titans have flipped the script on them in recent years, with Tennessee winning six of its last seven matchups against Indy, including each of the last five, which marks the Titans’ longest winning streak over the Colts in franchise history.
All streaks must come to an end, though, and it’s safe to say the Colts are due to win one over the Titans.
In the Mike Vrabel era, Tennessee is normally at its best when playing as an underdog, but the Titans are actually road favorites in this game after starting the week as underdogs.
Optimism: Colts' shorthanded O-line
The Colts will not have their starting left tackle in Bernhard Raimann, who remains in the concussion protocol and has been ruled out.
As our Shaun Calderon wrote in his “Gimme him” article, the second-year lineman has shined so far this year, with the Central Michigan product not allowing a single sack and just four pressures, according to Pro Football Focus.
He’s also earned an overall grade of 78.3 and a pass-blocking mark of 80.5, per PFF. Not having Raimann will be a significant blow to the Colts’ pass protection.
He’ll likely be replaced by fourth-round rookie Blake Freeland once again. Freeland surrendered four pressures but no sacks in his starting debut last week. The Titans will surely test him on Sunday.
