Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts: Player Predictions
The Indianapolis Colts are coming to town for an AFC south showdown with the Tennessee Titans. With the Colts high powered offense and virtually nonexistent defense, this could turn into a shootout. Here are some player predictions for this one.
Big Performances
Marcus Mariota
Mariota has turned in two outstanding performances in the last two weeks. I’m expecting that momentum to carry over to this week against a weak defense. Look for multiple passing touchdowns and lots of rushing yards from the young QB in this one.
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DeMarco Murray
Last week, Lamar Miller had 149 rushing yards against the Colts, and I believe it’s fair to say Murray has been the superior runner over Miller this season. Murray had a rough game last week. He’ll try to rebound this week in what looks to be a favorable matchup.
Tajae Sharpe
Tajae has been rather disappointing to this point in the season after a strong offseason. But with Vontae Davis possibly locked up on Rishard Matthews and Kendall Wright working mostly as a slot man, Tajae should see plenty of targets in this one. It should be a great game to help get his confidence back up.
Andrew Luck
Just like on the Colts defense, the Titans secondary has seen its share of struggles. Although they have been playing better over the last few weeks, they haven’t faced an elite type of quarterback like Andrew Luck. Luck is going to have to have a good game to keep his team in this one by tossing multiple touchdown passes and keeping drives alive with his legs when no one is open.
T.Y. Hilton
With Donte Moncrief, Phillip Dorsett, and now Dwayne Allen all hurt, Lucks favorite target is now his only familiar target outside of Jack Doyle. T.Y. is a speedy receiver and that’s something the Titans have struggled with all year. He should see plenty of targets, double teamed or not.
Players in for a long game
Rishard Matthews
Matthews has strung together a couple of nice games, but I believe Vontae Davis will be following him most of the day, and I’m not so sure it’s a challenge he’s up for. The good news about that is it will open up a lot of things for Tajae Sharpe and Kendall Wright.
Titans pass rushers
In the last two games, the Titans have 12 sacks (6 per game), but this week they face Andrew Luck who gets the ball out very quickly, has great pocket awareness, and can make things happen with his legs. Yes, I think the guys will get some pressure, but bringing him down is another story. If you ask Dick LeBeau, pressure is more important than sacks, though, so we’ll see.
Perrish Cox and Jason McCourty
One of these two guys will be on T.Y. Hilton all game. T.Y. is a very speedy receiver and either guy is going to need help from the safeties over the top.
Frank Gore
Frank Gore finally broke the Colts streak of not having a 100 yard rusher since 2012 last week against the Houston Texans, although he wouldn’t have if the game wasn’t forced into overtime. The Titans front seven have been very good against the run to this point in the season. Don’t expect Gore to have a repeat of last week.
Colts offensive line
Although the Titans secondary has its problems at times, the front seven is really good. The Colts offensive line is going to have a hard time opening up run lanes and protecting Luck for more than just a few seconds. Add a blitz happy Dick LeBeau as the play caller and it becomes that much harder.