NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- The Titans face the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
Mariota's Hot Streak
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has turned things up a few notches. In wins over the Cowboys and Patriots, Mariota completed 37-of-53 passes (69.9 %) for 468 yards, four touchdowns, no interceptions and a 122.2 passer rating. Mariota has 290-plus yards in two of his past three games vs. the Colts. The Titans need Mariota to stay hot, but he'll need some help from his targets, including receiver Corey Davis, who is coming off a monstrous game.
End the (Bad) Luck
Coach Mike Vrabel didn't beat around the bush – he told his football team this week that Colts quarterback Andrew Luck is 9-0 against the Titans. None of those games matter going into this Sunday's contest, of course. Tennessee's challenge is to find a way to fluster Luck, something recent opponents haven't been able to do. Luck has thrown 26 TDs vs only 9 INTs. He hasn't been sacked in the past four games. The Titans made life miserable for Patriots QB Tom Brady on Sunday. Can they do the same to Luck?
Run the Ball
Dion Lewis has been the team's most productive back this season, and the Titans will need him on Sunday. But let's not forget how much success bruising running back Derrick Henry has had vs. the Colts in his career. Henry ran for 131 yards and a touchdown in a Week 6 win vs. the Colts last season, and he racked up 79 yards in the second meeting. He averaged six-plus yards per carry in two games vs. Indy last season. The Titans would like to establish the run vs. the Colts, no matter who is toting the rock.
The Tight Ends
Titans tight end Jonnu Smith has emerged in recent weeks. Smith has touchdowns in back-to-back games, and he's playing like a guy with renewed confidence. The Titans hope he'll keep it up. But the defense faces a big challenge on the other side of the ball in Colts tight end Eric Ebron. Not only does Ebron lead the team in catches (39) and receiving yards (463), but he also has nine touchdown catches. Then there's Colts tight end Jack Doyle, who is back after an injury and making plays again himself. The Titans have done a nice job vs. opposing tight ends this year, and they'll need to defend the position well again.
Special Teams
The Titans are ranked No.1 in the NFL in kickoff returns, on the strength of a 35.9-yard average from return man Darius Jennings. Return man Adoree' Jackson has also performed well returning punts, and helped field position, while kicker Ryan Succop and punter Brett Kern have been effective. Jennings gave the Titans a spark on the opening kickoff vs. the Patriots, and in a game vs. an AFC South where the teams know each other so well, a big play on special teams could be the difference.
Third Down Efficiency
Dating back to Week 7's matchup against the Chargers, the Titans have shown great improvement on offense. One of the big reasons has been the team's success on third down. Since Week 7, the Titans offense has converted 25 of its 41 attempts on third down for a league-leading rate of 61.0 percent. The Colts, meanwhile, have been nearly as effective as the Titans on third down – they are third in the NFL at 59.5 percent since Week 7. How well each team performs on third down could play a big part in the final outcome.
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)
