NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch leading up to the contest:
Levis Bounce Back
Titans quarterback Will Levis practiced all week after suffering a right shoulder injury in Week 4 against the Dolphins, and he'll start on Sunday. The Titans are counting on him settling down, and settling in. Levis leads all players with nine giveaways in 2024 (6 INTs, 3 fumbles). He's tied with quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes (Chiefs) and Anthony Richardson (Colts) for the most INTs this season. Levis threw for 224 yards with a touchdown and zero interceptions in his first meeting with the Colts in 2023. He has zero interceptions in three of four career starts vs the division.
Can the Defense Stand Firm?
The Titans enter Week 6 ranked first in the NFL in total defense, allowing 243.8 yards per game. The unit has been especially good in pass defense, again ranked first in the league by allowing just 124.0 yards per contest. Through four games, the Titans have forced a punt on 50 percent of opponent drives, which is the highest in the NFL. The Titans rank 15th in the NFL in points allowed (22.5), but 7th in points per drive allowed (1.6). What the Titans need to do better is force turnovers – they're 29th in the NFL in that category. The Colts on Friday said Richardson will be listed as questionable, and will be a game-time decision.
Protect the QB
Levis has been sacked 15 times over the first four games of the season, and he didn't even make it to halftime in Week 4. In last year's game against the Colts, he was sacked six times. And while the Titans only allowed one sack against the Dolphins, the reality is the team only threw three passes in the second half, so drop-backs were few and far between. This week, the Titans entered Leroy Watson IV into the mix at right tackle, in a competition with Nicholas Petit-Frere. Across the board the Titans need to be better up front, and give their quarterback time to operate.
Run the Ball
One of the best developments in the game vs Miami was the team's ability to run the football. The Titans had a season-high 142 rushing yards against the Dolphins. The team has rushed for 130-plus yards in three of four games this season. Tony Pollard leads the Titans with 246 rushing yards and two touchdowns in 2024. He's averaging 4.5 yards after contact/carry this season, which is the highest among all running backs with 20-plus carries, per NextGenStats. Titans running back Tyjae Spears scored his first touchdown of the season in Miami, and he had 88 scrimmage yards (75 rush, 13 receiving yards) in the last meeting against Indianapolis. The Colts are allowing 157.0 yards per contest, which is ranked 31st in the NFL.
Special Teams
I hate to remind everyone of this: Titans punter Ryan Stonehouse suffered a knee injury against the Colts in last year's December meeting after he was hit on a blocked punt. It was a sign of things to come, as the Titans have allowed two blocked punts this year, and another punt was tipped in last week's game. The Titans need to execute better in punt protection and keep this from being an issue. Titans kicker Nick Folk is coming off a five field goal game – the team would love to see him kick more extra points.
Importance of Week 6
The Titans are 1-3, and now favored by 2 ½ points over the Colts after the line shifted during the week. It's a critical game for the Titans, who are still trying to dig themselves out of an early hole. Here's how the odds change based on Sunday's result: Since 1990, teams starting 2-3 have made the playoffs 23.0% (65/283) of the time, won the division 9.2% (26/283) of the time and won a Super Bowl 0.4% (1/283) of the time. The playoff percentage for teams that started 1-4 are pretty bleak: 6.6% (11/167) went on to make the playoffs, 4.8% (8/167) went on to win the division, but 0.0% (0/167) went on to win the Super Bowl. A good sign: The Titans have won eight straight games coming out of the bye week.
