NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans have a long history with the Indianapolis Colts, and in recent years, things haven't been pretty.
Quarterback Marcus Mariota's past with the Colts is a short one. He played in one game against the Colts a year ago, and threw for 367 yards and two touchdowns in a Week 3 loss at Nissan Stadium.
Will the familiarity help?
"Well, you're familiar with the system,'' Mariota, who missed the season finale vs Indianapolis last season with a knee injury, said on Wednesday. "You've prepared for them before, so you're used to some of the calls and some of the things that we're going to try to do. For us, it's just coming down every single day, doing our best to execute what the coaches ask and trusting our preparation."
The Titans have won two games in a row, and Mariota has been hot.
Mariota has six passing touchdowns, a 125.3 rating, 124 rush yards and a rushing touchdown in the past two weeks, in wins over the Dolphins and Browns.
Against Cleveland, Mariota threw for 284 yards and three touchdowns, with a 132.6 rating. He also ran seven times for 64 yards, including a 41-yard scamper on the team's first offensive play.
He sees the Colts (2-4) as a dangerous team. Indianapolis has won nine straight games in the series, and 14 of the last 15 games against the Titans.
"Every game is tough," Mariota said. "We have to continue to approach every single game the same way, prepare as well as we have and hopefully execute as well as we have on Sunday.
"Every week, whoever comes in or if we go elsewhere, it's going to be a tough game. It doesn't matter who we're facing, we've just got to go out there and try our best to execute, and hopefully we'll come out on top."
Titans players take the field for Wednesday's practice at Saint Thomas Sports Park. (Photos: Lilly Kate Hollis)
