5 Reasons Why the Titans Will Get Their First Win Sunday over the Colts

(Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)

NFL Upset of the Week: Titans over Colts
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When the NFL schedule was first released, this week’s matchup between the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans figured to be a showdown for first place in the AFC South. Instead, the undefeated Colts will be attempting to bury the winless Titans on Sunday night.

While it isn’t a surprise that Indianapolis is favored by 3.5-points against Tennessee, there are some factors that should enable the Titans to turn things around this week.

1.) A desperate team 

At 0-4, the Titans are in an absolute must win situation. After posting a league best 13-3 mark in 2008, Tennessee is capable of getting things together. The club should be extremely focused this week with their biggest rival coming to town for a nationally televised game. While the Titans have a sense of urgency, the Colts will still be in first place in the AFC South with a defeat.

2.) The home crowd

Since the stadium opened in 1999, every home game at LP Field in Nashville has been a sellout. The home atmosphere should lift the spirits of a team that clearly needs a boost. While Tennessee is 0-4, only one of those defeats has been at home. The crowd played a role last season when the Colts came to town for a Monday night game. Tennessee stepped up to post a 31-21 win.

3.) The due factor

Since that Monday night defeat in week 8 of last season, the Colts have reeled off 13 consecutive regular season wins. While there is no doubt that Indianapolis is an elite team, it is nearly impossible to continue a streak of this magnitude in the NFL. The Colts have already won a pair of prime time games on the road this season against the Dolphins and Cardinals. At some point, the magic is going to run out in games of this nature.

4.) The running game 

In recent years, the Titans have been one of the best rushing teams in the league while the Colts have struggled to stop the run. Tennessee should be able to establish their ground game on Sunday with Chris Johnson and LenDale White churning up plenty of yardage. This strategy should help to limit the opportunities of Peyton Manning and the Colts offense. Also, the Indianapolis defense has been without star safety Bob Sanders this season due to an injury.

5.) Titans have been here before

It was only three years ago when the Titans found themselves in a very similar situation. In 2006, Tennessee began the year by losing their first five games. The club rallied to finish 8-8 and had a chance to make the playoffs in the last week of the season. Many players from that 2006 squad are still on board for the 2009 Titans. With Jeff Fisher guiding the team as the longest tenured active head coach in the NFL, the Titans have one of the most stable organizations in the league. This will keep the team from pushing the panic button after a rough start.

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