NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Titans face the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Here's a look at six things to watch:
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Mariota momentum**
Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota has thrown seven touchdown passes over the last two weeks. In the past six games, he has 17 touchdown passes vs only three interceptions, with a 119.0 rating. Yes, he's been hot. Mariota was off-target on a number of throws in the team's first meeting against the Colts, however. After the game, he was critical of himself, and vowed to improve his technique. He blamed the errant throws on throwing off of one foot. He's made corrections, and it's shown. Can Mariota stay hot on Sunday? The Titans sure hope so.
Murray to 1,000?
Titans running back DeMarco Murray has 930 yards over the first 10 games of the season. If he reaches his average again on Sunday, he'll topple the 1,000-yard mark for the third time in his career. It would also enhance the team's chances of winning. The Colts are ranked 29th in the NFL in rushing defense, allowing 114.9 yards per game on average. Murray, by the way, ran for 107 yards and a touchdown in the first meeting against the Colts.
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Delanie Walker**
Receiver Rishard Matthews is hot, with six touchdowns in the past six games. Rookie Tajae Sharpe appears to have found his second wind – he's been more of a force of late. But tight end Delanie Walker could be a difference-maker once again in Sunday's game. Walker set the tone with some bruising runs after making catches against the Packers during a nine-catch, 124-yard performance. Look for him to be a big part of the plan again this week.
Containing Luck
Colts quarterback Andrew Luck has been a thorn in Tennessee's side since he first entered the NFL. Luck is 8-0 as a starter vs. the Titans, and in the past four meetings he has 1,166 passing yards (291.5 per game) with 11 touchdowns and a 115.4 rating. He threw for 353 yards and three touchdowns in the first meeting in Nashville. The Titans need to pressure him, and make him uncomfortable. The Titans managed just two sacks against Luck the first time around.
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Secondary play**
Back in Week 7, the Titans secondary focused on slowing down receiver T.Y. Hilton and tight end Jack Doyle, and that wasn't easy. Hilton racked up seven catches for 133 yards, while Doyle had nine catches for 78 yards and the go-ahead touchdown. The Colts are healthier now, with tight end Dwayne Allen and receivers Donte Moncrief and Phillip Dorsett now healthy. The secondary will have a chance to make plays, and they'll need to make them.
Find a Way
This is the most important thing to watch of all. The Titans have lost 10 straight games to the Colts, including the 34-26 loss in Nashville on October 23. One of those 10 losses was in overtime, seven of those losses have come by single-digits, and three have come by four points or less. The Titans led in the second half in many of them, only to let the lead slip away. The Titans need to find a way to close the deal this time around. It's a big game in the AFC South.
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)
