Colts vs. Titans: Full Tennessee Game Preview
A game with major AFC South implications awaits the Tennessee Titans when they finally come home to face the Indianapolis Colts.
This division rivalry has been one-sided for a long time now, with the Colts taking 12 of the last 13 meetings. They've always had the better quarterback over that span, and every year the AFC South has been nothing more than a small speed bump for the Colts on their way to the playoffs.
The Titans will try to turn that speed bump into a roadblock in front of their home fans. The first two weeks were polar opposites of each other, and now they just have to hope to avoid sluggish starts like they had in their Week 2 loss to the Browns.
Marcus Mariota will always be in the spotlight every week, but his performance will be magnified this week in his first regular-season game at home.
It may be Week 3, but a lot is riding on this matchup. The Colts are 0-2 and in desperate need of a win, while the Titans have an opportunity to really take control of the division for the first time in several years.
Week 2 Results and Recap
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Lots of penalties and a couple of big plays allowed by the defense really put the Titans behind the eight ball early on against the Browns. They put together a valiant effort to come back, but it was too much of a hole to climb out of, as they fell, 28-14.
Special teams also gave up a punt return for a touchdown right before halftime. That was a major blow to a team that had to erase a 21-point halftime deficit instead of a manageable 14-point deficit.
Simply put, the Titans can't afford to do the same thing against the Colts; they may be 0-2, but they're still a much better team than the Browns.
Marcus Mariota ran for his life virtually the entire game and still managed to put up impressive numbers. He did have his fair share of inaccurate throws, but even the best of quarterbacks would've had trouble with the kind of pass protection Mariota received.
We'll now get to see how Mariota bounces back from a tough game. The best quarterbacks have short memories and know how to get back on track quickly.
The Titans defense didn't play all that bad once you take out the two long touchdown connections from Cleveland's Johnny Manziel. They'll get their stiffest challenge to date with Andrew Luck.
The offensive line will continue to be the biggest concern moving forward, one amplified by the injury to Chance Warmack.
Here are the current AFC South standings, with the Titans still sitting at the top with the Jaguars:
| Team | Record | PCT | Conf. Record |
| Jaguars | 1-1 | .500 | 1-0 |
| Titans | 1-1 | .500 | 0-1 |
| Texans | 0-2 | .000 | 0-1 |
| Colts | 0-2 | .000 | 0-2 |
Standings information courtesy of ESPN.com
News and Notes
2 of 6When Will Antonio Andrews Return?
There was a lot of buzz surrounding Antonio Andrews in the offseason. He was looking to play a considerable role in the Titans running back committee but has yet to play a game due to a hamstring injury.
The Titans need to see what they have in Andrews. He could be just the spark the Titans need in the running game, as it's been average at best through two games. He's definitely anxious to get back, via Jim Wyatt of TitansOnline.com:
".@Titans RB @Salute2Dat5ive champing at the bit to return: "I am still that same cat." http://t.co/qwv0oFByNl pic.twitter.com/u8NkjTyFlw
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 23, 2015"
With the bye week following the Colts game, we may have to wait until Week 5 to see what Andrews can bring to the table. The Titans want to use that bye week to get everyone fully healthy, as they'll enter the long haul of playing 13 weeks in a row. Since the Titans have plenty of options at running back, it's difficult to see them rushing him back if he's not 100 percent.
What Kind of Defense Are The Titans Up Against in Week 3?
The Titans ran through a buzz saw when they traveled up to Cleveland for the Browns' home opener. That Browns pass rush gave Marcus Mariota virtually no time to make accurate throws.
Are the Titans in for more of the same against the Colts?
The Colts will never be confused with having an elite defense. It's always been one of the weak links that they've figured out a way to overcome. Mariota should have more time to go through his progressions, but the offensive line is still a mess. Collectively, the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets managed 47 points against the Colts over the first two games.
Expect the Titans to put up a fair amount of points and for Mariota to look much more comfortable.
Is Dorial Green-Beckham Ready for a Breakout Game?
It got lost in the haze, but Dorial Green-Beckham made a very nifty touchdown grab to trim the Browns lead to seven points late in the fourth quarter. That touchdown catch was the first of his career and was a glimpse of why the Titans took a chance on him.
Green-Beckham needs plenty of targets. He has the talent and physical traits to become lethal in this offense. His emergence would also free up Kendall Wright to make plays on short routes and use his speed for yards after the catch.
There's not many defensive backs in the league who can stop Green-Beckham once he gets comfortable in this offense. You have to remember that he was basically a year removed from playing organized football when he joined the Titans. It will still take some time for him to get adjusted to the NFL game.
Head coach Ken Whisenhunt wants to keep getting him involved, via the Titans twitter page:
"#Titans coach Ken Whisenhunt on Dorial Green-Beckham: "We tried to hit him early and we'll continue to try to get him involved."
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) September 20, 2015"
Check out Green-Beckham's nice touchdown grab at the top of the slide, along with Mariota's comeback attempt.
Latest Injury News
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The Titans are limping into this matchup with the Colts at a few key positions, most notably at cornerback and offensive line.
Chance Warmack suffered a strained MCL against the Browns and is the biggest injury concern for the Titans. He will not be active for the foreseeable future.
Here is the latest Titans injury report:
| Player | Position | Injury |
| Chance Warmack | OL | Knee |
| Jason McCourty | CB | Groin |
| Marqueston Huff | CB | Hamstring |
| Sammie Hill | DL | Knee |
| Antonio Andrews | RB | Hamstring |
| Cody Riggs | CB | Knee |
| Delanie Walker | TE | Hand |
Many of these players will likely not see the field against the Colts due to the bye week being so close. It's important to get these players fully healthy coming out of the bye week.
However, it wouldn't be entirely shocking if Jason McCourty finally returns, as the Titans have a stiff test defending Andrew Luck. They need to be at full strength in the secondary for this game.
Whisenhunt commented on McCourty's participating in his first practice in almost a month, via Teresa Walker of the Associated Press:
"Whiz says #Titans CB Jason McCourty did a lot at practice today. DB's first since groin surgery Aug. 24.
— Teresa Walker (@TeresaMWalker) September 23, 2015"
Delanie Walker is also likely to return from his hand injury suffered in Week 1. He will be somewhat limited, but his on-field leadership is key.
All injury information courtesy of Music City Miracles.
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Key Matchups
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Titans Offensive Line vs. Colts Pass Rush
There is virtually zero chance that the Titans will finally get a win over the Colts if they can't provide more time for Mariota in the pocket. It's very difficult to win games when your quarterback is constantly under attack.
The Titans will be without Chance Warmack, which is a tough blow. They do have veteran Jamon Meredith to fill in for Warmack, and Warmack has faith in his replacement:
"Chance Warmack said Jamon Meredith "is a really good player" and he'll do fine filling in #Titans
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 23, 2015
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Mariota is the type of quarterback who can be elite when given time to make accurate throws or by taking calculated risks to run the ball.
The bright side for the Titans is that the Colts have managed just one sack in their first two games. The Titans need to keep it that way to win their home opener and put the Colts in a big hole in the AFC South.
Titans Pass Rush vs. Colts Offensive Line
On the flip side, the Colts are also struggling to protect their quarterback. The Titans should be foaming at the mouth as they prepare to make Luck's job very difficult. They can't let Luck do what he's done to them since his rookie year.
Believe it or not, Luck has never lost to the Titans. He's in a funk right now due to a lack of adequate pass protection. The Titans have to take advantage of that and not let him pick them apart.
Many experts are chalking this game up as a win for the Colts, but you have to like the Titans' chances if they win in this area.
Marcus Mariota vs. Colts Secondary
We'll get to see how Mariota responds to a loss as he plays in his home opener. The likes of Ryan Fitzpatrick and Tyrod Taylor have already enjoyed success against this Colts defense. There's no reason to think Mariota can't do the same thing.
The Colts were widely considered the runaway AFC South favorites almost by default. No one gave the rest of the division any credit to dethrone the Colts. Now we're starting to see that the Colts have a lot of issues, just like the rest of the AFC South. This is by no means the strongest division in football, but it may end up being the most competitive.
Mariota has already shown how resilient he is and will come into this game with last week's game in the past. He has an emerging weapon in Dorial Green-Beckham and needs to figure out ways to get him involved. It will do nothing but open up room for other Titans receivers.
Tight ends also got involved in the comeback attempt by the Titans last week. Mariota needs to continue to make smart decisions based on what defenses give him. This Colts defense is vulnerable in many areas.
Again, how the Titans offensive line responds this week will play a big factor into all of this.
Matchup X-Factors
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Titans X-Factor of the Week: Delanie Walker
How close Walker is to 100 percent will be a major factor. The Titans needs his leadership just as much as they need his production. They have plenty of tight ends, but Walker is the guy who can really provide that safety net for Mariota. He's the solid blocker they need in pass protection.
He also provides a viable red-zone option for an offense that will need seven points every chance it gets. It seems unlikely that the Titans defense will be able to prevent the Colts from scoring more than 20 points.
Walker claimed that he's feeling great and having no trouble catching passes in practice, via Wyatt:
".@titans TE @delaniewalker82 said he feels great. Said he's catches passes and is optimistic about playing Sunday vs @colts
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) September 23, 2015"
In two games against the Colts last season, Walker managed 127 yards receiving with a touchdown. However, the Colts have done a decent job at stopping opposing tight ends in their first two games.
Titans Underrated X-Factor of the Week: Jurrell Casey
Casey is primed for a big game against a thin Colts offensive line. He needs to use his high motor to force Luck into tough throws. Luck has has already thrown five interceptions this season thanks to the lack of time he's had to throw.
The Titans have a great opportunity to bury the classic bully of the AFC South if Casey and Company make life uncomfortable for Luck.
Prediction: Titans 28, Colts 24
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It's never been a better time to predict the Titans to beat the Colts. The table is set for an upset, but it really wouldn't be that big of an upset when you really analyze the matchup.
Both teams have similar issues right now, most notably at offensive line. The main difference-maker, like usual, is at quarterback. The Colts have Andrew Luck, who is still a rising star despite his early struggles. He's very capable of burning the Titans secondary once again.
Luck will likely be without arguably his best offensive weapon, T.Y. Hilton.
However, there's going to be a mild shock in Nashville this time around. This Titans team is sick and tired of losing to the Colts. They know that to make a move in a very winnable division, they have to win this game at home.
Mariota is going to bounce back in the comfort of being at home and a much better showing from his offensive line. The Colts won't have nearly as much success as the Browns had. They just don't have the same defensive personnel to wreak as much havoc.
It will be somewhat of a shootout. Luck is still going to lead his fair share of scoring drives and pretty much carry this battered Colts team that's on a short week following a Monday night loss to the New York Jets.
Both starting quarterbacks will put up impressive numbers.
The Colts are still going to make it interesting down the stretch, whether they win or lose in Week 3. They're just not the same team we've come to know as of right now, and the Titans will finally break through the wall to narrowly get a win in this lopsided series. Still, it won't be the last we see of the Colts, even at 0-3. They will make their run down the stretch.
Final Prediction: Titans 28, Colts 24
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