Titans host Colts, aim for sweep of series
NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Titans know too well how much the Indianapolis Colts, especially team owner Jim Irsay, want to flip the script in their AFC South rivalry.
The Titans have won four straight and five of six against a team that dominated this series when the Colts had Peyton Manning and Andrew Luck at quarterback.
Win again Sunday in Nashville, and the Titans would have their second straight season sweep and only the fourth since these teams became division mates in 2002.
“We understand that their owner and their entire team, their entire city wants to beat us,” Titans safety Kevin Byard said. “So we have to go in there with that type of mindset. Obviously having a home game, expecting a nice crowd out there at Nissan (Stadium). So should be a pretty good game.”
The Titans (3-2), the two-time reigning division champs, are atop the standings again. They’re coming off their early open date on a threegame winning streak that includes a 24-17 victory at Indianapolis on Oct. 2.
Worse for the Colts (3-2-1), 2021 NFL rushing leader Jonathan Taylor and three-time All Pro linebacker Shaquille Leonard were hurt in the loss to the Titans. Taylor has missed the past two games with an injured ankle, while Leonard broke his nose and sustained a concussion.
Running back Nyheim Hines is working through the concussion protocol and missed the Colts’ 34-27 comeback win over the Jacksonville Jaguars last week. This is the fifth of the Colts’ six AFC South games, and despite being 1-2-1 in the division, they have won three of four overall to sit right behind the Titans.
Overtaking them is obviously the goal, and Indianapolis coach Frank Reich noted Tennessee also was the AFC’s No. 1 seed last season.
“All roads,” he said, “go through Nashville.”