NASHVILLE — The crowd at Nissan Stadium rose to its feet as rookie quarterback Malik Willis trotted onto the field. Starter Ryan Tannehill was rolled up on early in the fourth quarter of the Tennessee Titans (4-2) 19-10 victory over the Indianapolis Colts (3-3-1).

Tannehill returned on the next series to finish the game, but was clearly laboring.

Tennessee has won four straight in 2022 after an 0-2 start. That includes back-to-back season sweeps of Indianapolis and five consecutive wins against the Titans greatest divisional foe. Winning can cover a lot up.

What it cannot hide is the amount of times Tannehill is getting absolutely bludgeoned out there.

Tennessee need to get Tannehill more help

The Titans starting quarterback limped to his postgame podium to address the media.

On his right foot, Tannehill sported a walking boot. We have not seen him physically struggle like that since a 2021 game at the Colts where both he and running back Derrick Henry sustained considerable injury. After that contest, where Henry had his regular season ended, Tannehill required the stabilization of both stair railings to walk up three steps.

"It doesn't feel great," said the Tennessee's starter. "I had to battle through it there at the end. Sometimes it comes with the territory. I want to be out there if I can. Will try to do everything I can this week to get it right and be ready as best I can for next Sunday."

Tannehill was sacked twice in the win, but was under duress constantly.

Stand-in left tackle Dennis Daley has been a total disaster. The team's best remaining offensive lineman, Nate Davis, has now missed two straight games dealing with a foot issue that apparently was not able to heal enough over Tennessee's Week 6 bye. Dillon Radunz was overmatched by Indianapolis' front while filling in for Davis. The Titans ironman center Ben Jones is constantly having to tough out all the issues that pile up on the body of a 33-year-old pro.

Tennessee absolutely must find help for this woeful offensive line from somewhere and fast.

Vrabel, Tannehill own Indianapolis

Titans have won five straight over the Colts, and six of the last seven.

To their credit, this team and coaching staff consistently derive a game plan that will thwart the team that should be pushing them for the AFC South crown. The irony was not lost on anyone that Tannehill finished the way that he did on Sunday while breaking franchise legend Steve McNair's consecutive starts streak of 48 games. To do it over Indianapolis provides a gratification to Tennessee fans that words cannot hope to express.

"It's great to get turnovers and, for the most part, take care of the football," said coach Mike Vrabel. "That's gonna be the formula, if you guys haven't figured that out. That's how we're going to have to play."

It is foolish to keep saying that what Tennessee does is unsustainable coming off of a fourth straight win.

The beating their quarterback took again today, however, served as a warning for anyone who is taking that durability for granted. 

Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.