Short week for the Tennessee Titans – just four days after they beat the Chicago Bears 24-17 in a game that was nowhere near as close as that final score would typically indicate, they have to turn around and play host to the 5-3 Indianapolis Colts. First place in the AFC South is on the line.
Right now, the line is set as a PICK ‘EM – hell yeah. That’s how you know it’s going to be a good one. Vegas just says “fuck it – it could be either team.” The over/under is set at 48.5, which I am totally afraid of because I could see this game going either way – being an awkward contest between a team that can’t find its identity and an offense committed to running ball resulting in a low score. I could also see the wheels falling back off the Titans defense, the Colts scoring a ton, and this Titans offense, one of the best in the league, keeping pace. So, I’ll stay away from that one. It’s supposed to be partly cloudy and in the 60s at kickoff in Nashville.
To say this game is important for both teams would be an understatement. This game is MASSIVE for the AFC playoff race. So, what does your boy think the Titans have to do to send the Colts home with a loss? LFG!
Titans Keys to Victory: vs. Colts
Don’t let the Colts find their identity on offense
It goes back to something Jake Arthur and I talked about earlier this week (podcast embedded below). This Colts offense has a bit of an identity crisis on its hands. This is a team that we all expected to run the ball well behind that stout offensive line. Philip Rivers wasn’t supposed to be asked to do a whole lot. But, that hasn’t been the case so far in 2020. The Titans can’t be the team that allows the Colts to figure themselves out, because we know what that potential could look like.
If they can manage to stifle that run game, much like DaQuan Jones and company did against the Bears, that could force the bad Philip Rivers to show up in the game. Five of his seven interceptions this season have come in the team’s three losses. A correlation? Sure. Cause and effect? Maybe that’s too easy. But, if the Titans can limit the Colts offense, there’s a good chance they can force a turnover, something they’ve been good at this season. If they do that, they’ll be in a good position to win this game.
Derrick Henry, and Derrick Henry early…
The Colts haven’t allowed a hundred-yard rusher all season long. They’re third in the league, allowing just 83.6 rushing yards per game. But, in this game, the Titans need their horses to show up. If anyone can jar that run defense loose, it’s Derrick Henry.
In the last three seasons, Henry has 580 yards (96.7 yards per game) and three touchdowns against the Colts. He has a knack for getting one of those big chunk runs against this team. Maybe he just has that mojo going for him. The Titans should try and get that big play from him early to help set the tone.
Doing so will not only keep the Colts defense honest, forcing them to respect all aspects of the Titans offense, but it will allow this Titans offense to perform at its best – running the ball, and play-actioning off of that. This is a game that is going to require offensive execution at its best, and we’ve seen that happen when Henry is able to tee off.
AJ Brown on the slant
Like we saw in the Bears game, the Titans will probably need some chunk plays to shake this elite defense loose a bit, and put some points on the board. Against a defense as good as this one, you need your playmakers to show up. I won’t lie, guys – I’m nervous as hell about Jonnu Smith going up against Darius Leonard, and I don’t feel so good about Corey Davis in situations against Xavier Rhodes. But, one matchup that Ryan Tannehill should absolutely look for is getting AJ Brown on slants downfield. It could be a killer.
That dude has gotten so good at finding the right spot to break in, and finding open spots in the opposition’s coverage, that a big play here and there could really put this Colts defense in a tough spot (especially if he’s one on one because the threat of a King Henry run is legit in this game). Brown could be the back breaker in this game.
I look for the Titans to lean on Henry early, take a few shots downfield, and on defense, try and key in on the run and force Rivers into a mistake.
Don’t forget to check out our friends at MANSCAPED! Get 20% off your order -AND- free shipping with the promo code SOBROSTITANS. If you want a little behind enemy lines action, check out one of this week’s episodes of The Unofficial Titans Podcast, on which I caught up with Jake Arthur of the Bleav in Colts Podcast and Sports Illustrated’s All Colts to preview this big time matchup.
Listen to “Ep. 43: Previewing Colts @ Titans with Jake Arthur of Bleav In Colts” on Spreaker.Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD and #BeBetter. “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley
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