NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Colts on Sunday at Lucus Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Here's a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Cam's Response
Titans quarterback Cam Ward has experienced plenty of ups and downs during his rookie season. Last week against the Patriots, Ward's 73.5 completion percentage, 7.50 yards per attempt, 14 passing first downs and 92.2 passer rating were his best marks through his first seven starts. Ward also turned the ball over twice, and he's been too sloppy with the football in back-to-back games. The Titans need him to clean things up, while finding more consistency. For the first time in his career, Ward will face an opponent for the second time. Ward completed 23-of-38 passes for 219 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the team's September 21 meeting vs the Colts. How will be fare his second time versus Indy?
The Supporting Cast
Ward is going to need more help from the running game, and from a protection standpoint. Tennessee's running game was a no-factor against the Patriots, when Tony Pollard ran the ball six times for 18 yards, and Tyjae Spears ran it just five times for 22 yards. Against the Colts, the Titans need to play keep-away to some degree, which would limit Indy's possessions. Success in the run game would also keep the Colts pass rush from being able to tee off on Ward, who has been sacked 30 times in seven games this season, including five more times last Sunday. I keep saying this, but the more the team can get tight end Gunnar Helm involved, the better. The Titans will be without receiver Calvin Ridley (hamstring) once again, so others will need to rise to the occasion.
Chimere Dike
Watching the team's rookies provides reason for hope, and optimism. It's true for Helm, and it's also true for receiver/returner Chimere Dike has been a consistent energizer for the Titans, and he's coming off a game when he scored on a receiving touchdown while also making plays as a returner. Dike leads all NFL players with 1025 all-purpose yards (scrimmage + return yards) in 2025. The only other Titans players to lead the NFL in all-purpose yards through Week 7 in the last 30 years are Derrick Henry in 2021 (1023) and Derrick Mason in 2000 (1110).
Stop the Run
It's a bad week to not have defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons available. The Titans face a Colts team that is running wild on their opponents, led by running back Jonathan Taylor, who leads the NFL with 697 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. Taylor is busting off long runs (18 carries of 10-plus yards), and he's breaking tackles – he's forced 41 missed tackles, and has 509 yards after contact. Linebacker Cedric Gray has been a tackling machine for the Titans, leading the way with 66 on the season. With 10 tackles against the Colts, Gray would become the first Titan player since the beginning of the 2000 season to have at least 10 tackles in five consecutive games.
Dam Daniel
Colts quarterback Daniel Jones has arguably been the comeback player of the year in the NFL, and he's one of the main reasons Indianapolis is 6-1 right now, leading the league in scoring offense (33.1 ppg). Jones has a career-high 71.0 completion percentage with 14 total touchdowns. He's posted a 100-plus passer rating in six of the team's seven games, including the Week 3 matchup in Tennessee when he threw for 288 yards with 2 TDs and a 113.4 rating. In addition to Simmons, the Titans will be playing without cornerback L'Jarius Sneed. Across the board the Titans are going to need to play better to slow down Jones, and that includes rushing the QB and defending in the secondary. Look for more of rookie safety Kevin Winston Jr. in the plan this week.
Importance of Week 8
OK, now this is getting depressing, because we're about to lose a category in here if the Titans don't start winning some games. Since 1990, teams starting 2-6 have made the playoffs 1.4% (2/138) of the time, won the division 1.4% (2/138) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, um, never. Teams starting 1-7 have made the playoffs 0.0% (0/65) of the time, won the division 0.0% (0/65) of the time, and won the Super Bowl, well, again never. The Colts are a whopping 14 ½ point favorites over the Titans.
