NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Let's take a quick look at the Colts:
Record: 0-2.
Points for/against: 20.0/27.5.
NFL RANKINGS
Offense: 20th overall, 345.0 ypg (16th rushing, 19th passing).
Defense: 18th overall, 376.0 ypg (17th rushing, 17th passing).
TEAM LEADERS
Head coach: Frank Reich.
Offense:
QB: Carson Wentz (45-of-69, 498 yards, 3 TDs, 1 INTs, 95.0 rating) or Jacob Eason (2-of-5, 25 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT, 16.7 rating or Brett Hundley (has not played in 2021).
Top RB: Jonathan Taylor (32 rush, 107 yards).
Top WRs: Michael Pittman (11 catches, 152 yards, 0 TDs), Zach Pascal (7 catches, 81 yards, 3 TDs).
Top TE: Jack Doyle (8 catches, 85 yards, 0 TD).
Defense:
Sacks: DE Al-Quadin Muhammad (1.5).
Leading tackler: SS Khari Willis (14).
Interceptions: SS Khari Willis (1).
Take/Give: 0 (3/3).
Kicker: Rodrigo Blankenship (2-of-2 FGs, 4-of-4 PATs).
Punter: Rigoberto Sanchez (45.3, 42.8).
Last meeting: November 29, 2020: Titans 45, Colts 26.
Of note:
-Colts tight end Jack Doyle was originally signed by the Titans as a rookie free agent in 2013. Doyle attended Western Kentucky.
-Colts receiver Zach Pascal spent most of the 2017 season on the Titans practice squad.
-Colts assistant offensive line coach Kevin Mawae played for the Titans from 2006-09.
-Colts director of player engagement David Thornton played for the Titans from 2006-2010.
-Former Titans defensive lineman Denico Autry played three seasons with the Colts (2018-2020) before joining the Titans.
-Titans safety Matthias Farley spent his first three NFL seasons with the Colts (2016-2018).
Injury Report
QB Carson Wentz (ankles)
LB Jordan Glasgow (concussion)
WR Zach Pascal (illness)
CB Xavier Rhodes (calf)
T Braden Smith (foot/thumb)
WR Parris Campbell (abdomen)
S Julian Blackmon (shoulder)
TE Jack Doyle (NIR-Rest)
T Eric Fisher (NIR-Rest)
LB Darius Leonard (ankle)
Titans HC Mike Vrabel on …
(on the upcoming game against the Colts and it being their first divisional matchup)
That is all we talk about is make sure we play well and win our games at home. We didn't do that the first week, we have moved on. You have to steal a couple on the road, and I think we certainly could put that one in that category. Now, coming back home and you have to win games in your division, so that is really what we have. Two of those things that we talk about, you have the home game within the division. A lot of respect for Frank (Reich) and Chris (Ballard) and their whole organization. They play hard, it's a great football team and it'll be a heck of a challenge.
(on the difficulties of not knowing who Indianapolis will start)
I don't think there is a huge difference in the skillset. They are going to operate their offense. Carson (Wentz)'s play strength, obviously Jacob (Eason)'s limited exposure, but their receivers are tough, they're physical. (Jack) Doyle has been there forever, very productive. Their backs are fantastic, I think they have an unbelievable group of backs. I have a lot of respect for (Jonathan) Taylor, for (Nyheim) Hines, and obviously (Marlon) Mack working his way back in, not sure how much he will have. They have a lot of dynamic players, their receivers are tough, they are physical, and their backs can do a lot of different things.
(on the Colts' run defense)
They play extremely hard. I respect Matt (Eberflus) and Frank (Reich) and the culture they have set there. They play extremely hard, they have length, they have varying degrees of different play styles. Some guys that will hammer away at you and then they have some guys that – (DeForest) Buckner is a wild card with his length and athleticism. The backers can run, I think they are all sound and everyone is a good tackler, that is really what it comes down to as far as stopping the run.
(on the talent the Colts defense has at all three levels)
(Khari) Willis is a great tackler, he is a good strong safety. The corners are willing tacklers. You can't block everybody so the guys you don't block, if those guys can tackle, they have the advantage.
