The Tennessee Titans currently sit in first place in the AFC South going into Week 7, but their spot atop the division is at risk on Sunday when they face the Indianapolis Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
With a win, the Titans will not only remain in first place, they’ll also wrap up the head-to-head divisional tie-breaker, giving them a huge leg up in the quest for their third-straight AFC South crown.
Meanwhile, the Colts will move into first place with a win and, in the process, end Tennessee’s four game winning streak against them.
Here’s a look at the boxes Tennessee needs to check in order to avoid the latter situation.
Limit the big plays
The Colts are coming off their best offensive performance of the 2022 season in Week 6 when they dropped 34 points and Matt Ryan threw for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars.
In their last meeting, Ryan completed a handful of big plays versus the Titans, but Tennessee’s defense didn’t break and was able to limit Indianapolis to just 17 points.
The Titans will see the return of safety Amani Hooker in this game, which will help out the back end of their secondary, but the Titans are going to need a better effort from their cornerbacks in this one.
If the Titans can limit the rushing attack like they did in Week 4 and avoid letting up big plays, something that has been an issue all season, the Colts are going to have a tough time moving the ball and scoring points.
Get to Matt Ryan
The Colts’ offensive line has been a sieve this season, with the group upfront allowing 21 sacks, the fifth-most in the NFL. However, Indy’s offensive line didn’t allow a single sack in Week 6, although it did allow 20 pressures.
The Titans got 14 pressures on Ryan in Week 4 but only notched three sacks. Getting pressure is great, as it can often lead to turnovers, but the Titans have to finish Ryan off more often if they’re going to limit big plays in this one.
The Colts will be sporting an old friend of the Titans at left tackle in Dennis Kelly, who was named the starter after a solid showing in Week 6. Tennessee will welcome back Bud Dupree, who will provide a major boost upfront.
Play a full 60 minutes on offense
Tennessee’s offense continues to struggle, especially when it comes to the second halves of games.
The Titans have scored a measly 14 points in the final two quarters of games this season, including just seven during their three-game winning streak.
Thankfully, the defense has been able to stand on its head and has helped the early leads Tennessee has garnered to stick, but that’s something this team simply can’t keep depending on. It just isn’t sustainable.
If the Titans’ offense really wants to give us a reason for optimism, playing a full 60 minutes and scoring more than seven points in each half will go a long way toward doing that.
Get Chig more involved
The Titans are desperately thin at wide receiver with just four on their active roster in Robert Woods, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, Kyle Philips and Cody Hollister — and Philips isn’t even certain to play.
The Titans have elevated 2020 UDFA and wide receiver Mason Kinsey for this game, but his addition does nothing to quell fears about an unreliable group of pass-catchers that has struggled to get separation.
With a need for pass-catchers, the Titans would be foolish not to involve tight end Chigoziem Okonkwo more this week.
The rookie has already shown his ability to impact a game. In Week 4 against the Colts, Chig made three huge catches, one that went for six, one that setup Tennessee’s second touchdown, and one that iced the game.
Get this man the ball more!
