NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Look at the AFC South standings today and it's strange seeing the Colts at the bottom.
That's because they've been at the top of the division so often. The Colts have won the past two division titles, and four of the last six. They've won nine of 13 AFC South titles since 2002.
On Sunday, the Titans face the Colts at Nissan Stadium. It's a huge opportunity for the Titans to make an early statement.
"They're division champs, they are the top of the heap," coach Ken Whisenhunt said. "If we can knock them off, that's good for us. That's what you always want to do. You love playing in these games. They're a good football team. They have an extremely talented quarterback and they present a lot of problems.
"If we can continue to grow as a team and play like we're capable of and get a win, man that would be great for us and our fans."
Back-to-back losses to the Bills and Jets have the Colts at 0-2, tied with the Texans. The Titans and Jaguars are currently at the top of the division with 1-1 records.
The Colts have dominated the series with the Titans of late, winning seven straight and 12 of the last 13. The last time the Titans beat the Colts was in October 2011.
"That has to change,'' tight end Delanie Walker said. "If we want to talk about us being a powerhouse team and leading this division, then that has to change. We can't let the Colts dominate this division every year. So that is something we have to go out there and change as a unit, and play Titans football against a team like the Colts."
The Titans are coming off a 28-14 loss to the Browns. After Sunday's game against the Colts, the Titans head into the bye week.
They'll then play three straight at Nissan Stadium – vs. the Bills, Dolphins and Falcons – before hitting the road.
Titans safety Michael Griffin acknowledged Sunday's game against the Colts is a big one. A win, however, would hardly give the team a chance to relax, he said.
"But you can win this game and we'll still have 13 more games this season,'' Griffin said. "It is another opportunity to play this game, but at the same time this is a divisional opponent and it matters maybe more than the other games, but still you still have 13 more games after this."
