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If the Colts are going to improve to 3-0 vs. the Titans, here are the three keys to doing so.
Awaiting the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3 is a matchup with the Tennessee Titans.
This will be the Colts’ first road game of the season and their first matchup with a divisional foe as well.
Indianapolis will enter this game 2-0 for the first time since 2009, while the Titans are 0-2. If the Colts are going to get to that 3-0 mark, here are three keys to doing so.
Get after Titans’ QB Cam Ward
Through two games, the Colts’ pass rush has struggled to get any sort of steady pressure on the quarterback. This is a big reason why, for much of Week 2, Denver quarterback Bo Nix was so efficient through the air–he had a clean pocket and plenty of time.
The Colts will enter Week 3 ranked 31st in quarterback pressure rate this season. Some good news is that Laiatu Latu will be back in the lineup after missing last week’s game.
When Titans quarterback Cam Ward has been under pressure, he’s completed just 38.1% of his passes–the fifth-lowest rate in football. The Titans will also be without right tackle JC Latham, while guard Kevin Zeitler is questionable.
Get pressure, force mistakes, and capitalize on those opportunities.
Lean on Jonathan Taylor and the run game
This could be a key we mention each week, but this week in particular feels like a heavy Jonathan Taylor game for the Colts offense.
Taylor will enter Week 3 as the NFL’s leading rusher, and the Titans’ run defense has struggled to stop the run, allowing a hefty 5.5 yards per rush, which ranks 30th in the NFL.
The Titans have also already ruled out defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat for Sunday’s game.
Success on the ground will then open up opportunities for the passing game
Take advantage of red zone opportunities
As we highlighted recently, as good as things have gone for the Colts offensively this season, an area of improvement is in their red zone success.
Indianapolis’ 41.6% red zone success rate ranks 26th through two games. Helping them overcome those red zone woes is that they lead the league in red zone visits per game.
However, in a game where the Colts are expected to win, failing to capitalize on too many touchdown opportunities and turning seven points into three points is one way to let the Titans hang around.
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