Titans vs. Colts: Scouting report, prediction for Week 8
The Tennessee Titans (5-2) will look to take control of the AFC South when they meet the Indianapolis Colts (3-4) at Lucas Oil Stadium Sunday (noon CT, CBS).
Tennessean sports writer Ben Arthur breaks down the game and offers his prediction:
Titans’ offense vs. Colts’ defense
Who has the edge? Titans
Giving the slight advantage to the Titans, with their passing attack picking up the last game and half to complement the Derrick Henry-led run game.
A healthier A.J. Brown and quarterback Ryan Tannehill have found their groove, connecting on 15 of 18 targets for 224 yards and a touchdown over the last two games. Henry is still on pace for another 2,000-yard rushing season. Tannehill has been sacked just once the last two games, after being sacked 20 times through the first five games.
Ball security should be the Titans’ biggest priority. The Colts are tied for first in the NFL with 16 takeaways. They forced three turnovers in the first matchup against the Titans in Week 3, but Tennessee claimed a win in large part to its defense.
The Titans have just two turnovers in their last four games.
Titans’ defense vs. Colts’ offense
Who has the edge? Titans
Another slight advantage to Tennessee.
The Titans’ pass rush is coming off its best game of the season, and it hounded Colts quarterback Carson Wentz in the first matchup. Wentz will be healthier and his typical mobile self this time, though (he had two sprained ankles in the Week 3 meeting). He leads the NFL with a 0.5% interception rate, so he’s been protecting the ball.
But Tennessee’s biggest challenge will be stopping Indianapolis’ ninth-rated run game, led by star Jonathan Taylor and hybrid back Nyheim Hines. Taylor’s 579 rushing yards rank second in the league to Henry.
Despite ranking ninth in run defense, the Titans have had their spells of poor play in the department. The Jaguars’ James Robinson rushed for 149 yards on 8.2 yards per carry against Tennessee in Week 5. Taylor posted 6.4 yards per carry on the Titans in Week 3.
Prediction
Titans 27, Colts 24: This should be a physical battle in the trenches, with the Titans fighting for control of the division and the Colts fighting to keep it within grasp. But Tennessee comes out on top with a defense that appears vastly improved the last couple weeks, boosting an offense that’s found its mojo too.