Interesting Week 7 wrinkle features Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts
NASHVILLE — There is not much mystery as to what the Tennessee Titans (3-2) want their brand of football to be. Hosting the Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) on Sunday, the divisional foes already know each other quite well. This game is a surprise, however, when you consider what else lies ahead on the board. Indianapolis at Tennessee […]
NASHVILLE — There is not much mystery as to what the Tennessee Titans (3-2) want their brand of football to be. Hosting the Indianapolis Colts (3-2-1) on Sunday, the divisional foes already know each other quite well.
This game is a surprise, however, when you consider what else lies ahead on the board.
Indianapolis at Tennessee is the only Week 7 contest that features two teams with a winning record. Given that it will be the second and final meeting between these two this season, the stakes are particularly high. Sunday will mark the Colts fifth AFC South game of the season already, with only their finale hosting the Houston Texans (1-3-1) on Jan. 8 remaining.
A front-loaded divisional schedule for Indianapolis gives the Titans a chance to deliver a knock-out blow.
Titans and Colts have both evolved since Week 4
The Colts have struggled mightily all year long.
In a 34-27 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars, however, Indianapolis seemed to find an immediate solution to their greatest ill. No one in the NFL thought the Colts offensive line would struggle the way that it had through the first five weeks.
"We have to be prepared for things that they've done against us in the past," said Tennessee coach Mike Vrabel. "Things that they've tried to modify, change and figure out ways for them to move the ball, which is what they did last week. A lot of the preparation is going to be on some of the things that they've done well recently and the things that they did well against us that we'll probably see again unless we correct it."
Quarterback Matt Ryan was not sacked once by Jacksonville.
Ryan has been sacked 21 times this season, his first in Indianapolis. Tennessee's pass rush got to the Colts passer three times in Week 4, and harassed him consistently throughout the game. Pressuring Ryan has been the root cause of Indianapolis' struggles to start the year.
Adding former Titans swing tackle Dennis Kelly to anchor the Colts left side settled things in against the Jaguars. Coach Frank Reich also prioritized getting the ball out faster for Ryan and further protect a struggling offensive line with an up-tempo passing game. Ryan's average time to throw on 58 attempts was 2.6 seconds per pass.
Indianapolis' issues have been particularly prevalent on the road in 2022. The Colts average a league-worst 10.7 points per away game this season.
Tennessee is hoping to keep that scoring total in check on Sunday.
Featured Image: USA TODAY Sports.
