NASHVILLE -- The Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in the home opener at Nissan Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Mariota vs Colts
OK, I don't need to remind anyone about the season finale against the Colts last year. But here's a Cliffs Notes version: Mariota sat out the game because of lingering injuries, and the Titans saw their season come to an end instead of making the playoffs. Earlier in 2018, Mariota was knocked out of a game early against the Colts, and things got ugly. On Sunday, Mariota has a chance to keep the momentum going after a 3 TD game last week in Cleveland while quashing the 2018 talk.
Run Defense
The Colts racked up a whopping 203 rushing yards in their season opening loss to the Chargers, with running back Marlon Mack leading the way with 174 yards. With quarterback Jacoby Brissett now at the helm, the Colts would love to establish the ground game every week to take pressure off of their maturing QB. The Titans did a decent job against the run in Week One, but will need to be better against one of Indy's strengths – their offensive line.
Derrick Henry
Titans running back Derrick Henry got so tired of talking about December of last season, he changed the subject in a hurry. Henry accumulated 159 yards of total offense against the Browns -- 84 on the ground, plus a 75-yard touchdown catch, one of his two scores on the day. The Titans would like to get physical with the Colts, and their success in the running game could open up the entire offense.
Titans Pass Catchers
A week ago, it was receiver A.J. Brown (3 catches, 100 yards) and tight end Delanie Walker (5-55, with two touchdowns). This week, it could be receivers Corey Davis, Adam Humphries, and Tajae Sharpe, who were all quiet in the season opener. Titans offensive coordinator Arthur Smith headed into the season with plans to build game plans that take advantage of different personnel each week. What's in store for Week 2?
Contain T.Y. Hilton
Colts receiver T.Y. Hilton doesn't wear a watch when he plays, but he knows what time it is. And he's been a Titans killer over the years. Hilton led the Colts with eight catches for 87 yards and two touchdowns last week, and he had 35 catches for 684 yards (114.0 per game) in six games vs. AFC South opponents in 2018. The Titans did a solid job against Cleveland's talented receivers last week, and they also picked off three passes. The MMCNB crew needs to rise to the occasion again.
Jersey Retirement
It will be a special day at Nissan Stadium, as the team will retire the jersey numbers of Titans legends Steve McNair (No.9) and Eddie George (No.27). The jersey retirement ceremony will take place at halftime and it will include comments from Titans controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk, a representative from the McNair family and George. Make sure you're in your seat for this.
TitansOnline.com looks back at the all-time series with the Indianapolis Colts. (AP Photos)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is sacked by Tennessee Titans' DaQuan Jones (90) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
Tennessee Titans' Delanie Walker (82) makes a two yard touchdown reception against Indianapolis Colts' Jon Bostic during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) is tackled by the Tennessee Titans defense during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Marcus Mariota (8) greets fans following an NFL football game against the Tennessee Titans, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. Tennessee won 20-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Delanie Walker makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Pierre Desir during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Corey Davis (84) makes a catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (42) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Derrick Henry runs against Indianapolis Colts' Antonio Morrison during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 26, 2017, in Indianapolis. Tennessee won 20-16. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) in action as the Tennessee Titans played the Indianapolis Colts in an NFL football game in Indianapolis, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Tennessee Titans' Tajae Sharpe (19) makes a touchdown catch against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans center Ben Jones (60) waits to snap the football during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) runs out of the tackle of Indianapolis Colts' Jabaal Sheard during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
The Tennessee Titans play the Indianapolis Colts during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tennessee Titans' Jonnu Smith (81) runs against Indianapolis Colts' Kenny Moore (23) during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) talks with Tennessee Titans' Brian Orakpo following an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 18, 2018, in Indianapolis. Indianapolis won 38-10. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown (55) runs the ball after recovering a fumble against the Indianapolis Colts in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans tight end Luke Stocker (88) scores a touchdown on a 22-yard pass reception against the Indianapolis Colts in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Andrew Luck (12) is brought down by Tennessee Titans linebacker Harold Landry (58) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/James Kenney)
Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) carries the ball past Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Darius Leonard (53) in the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski)
BE A PART OF HISTORY
This Sunday, September 15 will be a special day as the Titans retire QB Steve McNair's No. 9 jersey and RB Eddie George's No. 27 jersey during halftime of the team's home opener vs the Indianapolis Colts.
Don't miss this amazing day in franchise history!
