Inconsistency is troubling the Tennessee Titans
The Titans in 2023 have been a mixed bag so far. After failing to score a touchdown on the road to the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, they bounced back one week later against Justin Herbert and the LA Chargers. Week 3 saw a heavy defeat away to the Cleveland Browns, who were without Nick Chubb, before an impressive dismantling of Cincinnati back home at Nissan Stadium last weekend.
In that game against the Bengals, it appeared Tennessee had finally turned a corner; the defense was solid, and the offense looked the best they had been in quite some time. Expectation and belief in the team was therefore building ahead of the trip to Lucas Oil Stadium this past Sunday.
Rise of the Colts
The Colts were never going to be an easy foe. After seeing off Joe Burrow and Co the week before, confidence in the Titans camp and fanbase had received a much-needed boost and – dare it be said – there was possibly a slight underestimation of Indianapolis, who themselves are playing above expectations and are largely being overlooked.
As focus on returning RB Jonathan Taylor dominated the pre-game narrative, it was RB Zack Moss who had a career-game of 165 rushing yards, including a 56-yard touchdown. The Titans uncharacteristically struggled to stop the run in this game, with the Colts averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
That rookie QB Anthony Richardson was injured too provided no respite for the Titans defense as backup QB Gardner Minshew stepped in. As talented as Richardson may be, he is still learning his craft and his (currently limited) reading and experience of the game at this level was plausibly something the Titans could have exploited had he remained on the field.
As well as failing to stop the run in this game, there was a scare when it looked like DT Jeffery Simmons may have been out with a shoulder injury. He returned shortly after to much relief from the Titans’ faithful. Make no mistake, this defense will be in serious trouble if they lose Simmons.
Cornerback Kristian Fulton had a poor game. Fulton, who is tied for the team lead with four penalties has given up 80 yards from penalties, has come under intense reproval. When games are tight, interference penalties resulting in first downs can be major game-changers. If Fulton is benched in Week 6, the Titans may need to further rejig things around for a defense which had controlled the game just one week earlier.
How does it look on offense?
On offense, QB Ryan Tannehill managed 23 of 34 attempts, but for a total of 264 passing yards, his highest this year. Sacked just once by the Colts, the offensive line is now providing the protection it lacked at the beginning of the season.
That said, thus far in the 2023 campaign, Tannehill has just two passing touchdowns but five interceptions, one of which sealed the game for Indianapolis on Sunday. Expect his performance this week to be scrutinised by both his supporters and critics alike.
Derrick Henry usually clocks up yards and touchdowns against the Colts, but in this game, managed just a total of 43 yards from 13 carries. Rookie RB Tyjae Spears however did record his first career touchdown, which was eventually the only Titans TD of the game. Spears continues to demonstrate why he was drafted over a then-needed WR by the Titans back in May.
Elsewhere on offense, WR DeAndre Hopkins had his best game as a Titan so far. The five-time Pro Bowler notched 140 yards, averaging 17.5 yards. For a second consecutive week, he almost recorded his first touchdown of the season from a play that (had it been a TD) would have been featured in numerous highlight reels. It’s simply a matter of time before DHop records his first six points for Tennessee.
Attention for Tennessee now turns to their London showdown with the Ravens. Baltimore are already in the UK with the Titans not due to fly out until Thursday, a decision which has gained some criticism.
Coach Mike Vrabel has explained this decision as needing to put some work in before the trip, all too aware that their non-divisional rivals will be hungry to bounce back from their road defeat in Pittsburgh.
