Colts vs Titans Week 5 preview

The AFC South seems as wide open as we've seen it in recent memory.  All four teams sit at 2-2 entering Week 5, three of the four teams are 1-1 in the division (Colts, Jaguars, and Texans), and the Titans are set to have their first divisional matchup of the season. Weather: The forecast for […]

Destin Adams — NFL News Writer
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Colts Week 5 Preview

The AFC South seems as wide open as we've seen it in recent memory. 

All four teams sit at 2-2 entering Week 5, three of the four teams are 1-1 in the division (Colts, Jaguars, and Texans), and the Titans are set to have their first divisional matchup of the season.

Weather:

The forecast for kickoff at 1 p.m. EST in Indianapolis, Indiana, is set to be 54° and is expected to rise as high as 59° by the time this game is expected to end. While this is expected to be the coldest home game for the Colts so far this season, the team announced that the roof will be open for this one. 

Vegas Spreads:

Draft Kings: Titans -2.5
FanDuel: Titans -2.5
Caesars: Titans -2.5
BetMGM: Titans -2.5
PointsBet: Titans -2.5

Titans:

The Titans are coming off a big 27-3 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. 27 being the most points scored by the Titans this season. The Titans enter this contest with the Colts winning the past five matchups between the two teams. They came in at 21st on A to Z Sports' Week 5 NFL Power Rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Titans have graded out as the 15th best offense and 16th best defense so far through the first four week of the season. 

Colts:

The Colts are coming off an overtime loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4. And will try to break a five-game losing streak to the Titans in Week 5. They came in at 20th on A to Z Sports' Week 5 NFL Power Rankings. According to Pro Football Focus, the Colts have graded out as the 28th best offense and 22nd best defense so far through the first four week of the season.

Opponent Player Spotlight of the Week:

Derrick Henry

Derrick Henry has been the engine that makes the Titans go over the past few seasons. This year, he just didn't look like himself to start the 2023 season. Henry's stat lines left more to be desired through the first three weeks of the season.

  • Week 1 @ New Orleans Saints: 15 rushes, 63 yards (4.2 avg)
  • Week 2 Vs Los Angeles Chargers: 25 rushes, 80 yards (3.2 avg), 1 touchdown 
  • Week 3 @ Cleveland Browns: 11 rushes, 20 yards (1.82 avg) 

Week 4 saw Henry show his ability to take over a game is still alive as he exploded for 22 rushes, 122 yards, a rushing touchdown, and a passing touchdown. The Colts will have to corral Henry, as the Titans offense has looked very lackluster when he isn't able to get into his rhythm. That is easier said than done, as Henry has rushed for over 100 yards in six of his last seven matchups against the Colts. 

Colts Player Spotlight of the Week:

Zaire Franklin

One of the most important players who will be tasked with slowing down Derrick Henry is Colts LB Zaire Franklin. Franklin has had quite the start to the 2023 season as he had the most total tackles in the NFL entering Week 5 with 57; he currently sits at 2nd only behind Chicago Bears LB T.J. Edwards, who played his Week 5 matchup on Thursday Night Football, and now has 62 total tackles. Even with one less game than Edwards, Franklin currently is the NFL leader for solo tackles this season. 

An important development with Franklin is he is one of the team's vocal leaders on the field. With Shaquille Leonard already being ruled out of this one, I expect the team to lean even more on Franklin's ability to lead the defensive unit. It's a tall task to take down Henry one-on-one, but Franklin is a player I believe is up for the challenge. 

My Predictions:

Prediction: Colts will hold Henry to under 100 rushing yards

As you read above, Henry rushed for 100 yards for the first time this season last week. But I expect the Colts to rebound from their rough Week 3 run defense showing and hold Henry under 100 yards. One way to help the defense in this effort would be for the offense to get off to a fast start and force the Titans to rely on their passing game and Ryan Tannehill. 

Prediction: Jonathan Taylor will score a touchdown in his debut

Jonathan Taylor found himself in the headlines twice this week, but in a much better light than we've seen. As first, the star RB completed a full week of practice with the team after starting the season on the PUP list and was announced to be ready to make his debut in Week 5 vs the Tennesee Titans. That great news would be overshadowed Saturday as the Colts and Taylor would come to terms on a 3-year contract extension. 

The Colts will likely not throw Taylor back into his normal workload in his first week back. But I do think the team will use him heavily in the goal line, and I wouldn't be shocked if Taylor's home run ability shows up and leads him to find the endzone in his season debut. 

Score Prediction: Colts 30 Titans 20 

I think the Colts matchup well against the Titans on both sides of the ball. The Colts strong run defense against the Titans run first offense, and I believe Shane Steichen and the Colts will deploy the deep ball element of their offense this week against a below-average Titans secondary that has struggled defending the deep ball this season. I think the Colts could get up big early, potentially by three scores. And we could see the Titans make it closer in the 2nd half. 

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