After having an extended break following last Thursday’s game against the Houston Texans, the Indianapolis Colts return to action as they’ll host the Tennessee Titans on Sunday. They approach the end of this three-week stretch, which consisted of all divisional matchups.
Even with their loss in Week 12 and suffering additional injuries, the Colts are still very much alive in the AFC playoff picture. It’s just a matter of relying on their strengths at this point, and hopefully getting back a key contributor or two in the coming weeks.
Here are three, key matchups to watch in the Colts’ Week 13 bout against the Titans:
QB Jacoby Brissett vs. Titans’ Top 10 scoring defense
Even as someone who has defended Jacoby Brissett on various occasions, I must admit now is the time for him to step up his game. Regardless if it was before his knee injury in Week 9 or right after, the Colts’ QB1 has begun to struggle and is in need of a huge game on Sunday.
While the Titans rank fairly low in defensive categories such as passing yards allowed (24th with 255) and red-zone scoring percentages (30th with 64.5%), they’ve been a stingy group in other areas. Entering Week 13, the Titans have been giving up the ninth and eighth fewest points per game and third-down conversions, respectively. This is huge to think about in relation to Brissett’s struggles.
For a quarterback that has averaged 138 passing yards in his last two games along with being sacked four times, the odds seem to be against Brissett having a breakout game. Especially when he’ll be missing his three best offensive targets in RB Marlon Mack, WR T.Y. Hilton, and TE Eric Ebron.
RB Derrick Henry vs. Colts’ seventh-ranked rushing defense
Just like I stated in the Week 2 edition of this series, running back Derrick Henry has been on one since Week 14 of last season. After rushing for 238 yards against the Jacksonville Jaguars in that game, the Alabama product has been on pace for back to back seasons with at least 1,000 rushing yards, including the fourth-highest total of rushing yards right now at 991.
Given Henry’s size (6-foot-3 and 247 pounds), strength, and breakaway speed, the Colts must increase their effort in order to contain him. By only allowing the seventh-fewest rushing yards per game, the Colts are forcing teams to abandon their running game and play in longer and unfavorable downs and distances.
This is something the Titans want to avoid, so expect them to possibly give Henry more carries on Sunday, which is not uncommon for him. Amongst all running backs right now, Henry’s 206 rushing attempts are the sixth-highest in the NFL.
QB Ryan Tannehill vs. Colts’ front seven
If there’s anything that adds the element of new to a divisional rivalry, it’s a change of starters, especially at very important positions. When the Colts and Titans reunite on Sunday, one team will have a new starting quarterback under center and it’s not the one some of you are thinking of.
Ryan Tannehill has watched his career receive new life as the Titans’ new starting quarterback and rightfully so. As their signal-caller, Tannehill led the Titans to a 4-1 record in their last five games, while instantly improving their offense. In fact, the Titans are averaging a full touchdown worth of points per game and increased their passing yardage by 50 yards per game, while also lowering their sacks per game total to 2.8.
But your confidence must be high if you’re a Colts fan. In recent weeks, you’ve watched this defensive unit continue to improve despite dealing with tough competition and an onslaught of injuries. You have to consider the fact pass rusher Justin Houston had a six-game streak with at least one sack and the secondary managed to hold it down, despite missing cornerbacks Pierre Desir, Kenny Moore, and Rock Ya-Sin at times.
