NASHVILLE – The Titans face the Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium on Indianapolis.
Here’s a look at six things to watch in the contest:
Mason Rudolph will take over as the starting quarterback on Sunday, replacing Will Levis, who was benched this week. With three games remaining, Rudolph will look to jumpstart a Titans team that’s on its third three-game losing streak of the season. Rudolph has had some success this season in relief of Levis. In fact, the Titans are averaging 85.7 more total yards per game in games started by Rudolph this season. After replacing Levis this past Sunday, Rudolph became the fourth NFL QB since 1950 to have a completion percentage of 80% or higher (min. 25 attempts) and multiple passing TDs in a game he didn’t start. He joined Gardner Minshew II, Shane Matthews and Doug Flutie.
Can Spears Keep Momentum?
Tony Pollard has been a workhorse this season, and now he’s just 18 yards away from his third straight 1,000-yard season. It was Pollard’s sidekick who showed some burst on Sunday. Against the Bengals, running back Tyjae Spears became the third player in Oilers/Titans history to have a game with six or more catches, a rushing touchdown, and a receiving touchdown. The others were Chris Johnson (Week 2, 2009) and Gary Brown (Week 19, 1994). The emergence of Spears was a pleasant sight, and if it can continue it would certainly help take the load off of Pollard.
TEs Look to Build on Success
Tight end Chig Okonkwo had a career-high eight receptions last Sunday, the most receptions by a Titans tight end since Anthony Firkser in Week 6, 2020. In addition to Okonkwo’s eight receptions, fellow tight end Josh Whyle tallied five catches against the Bengals. It was the first time the Titans had one TE with at least eight catches and another with at least five since the Tennessee Oilers did so in Week 3, 1998 at New England (Frank Wycheck – eight, Jackie Harris – six). Can the tight ends keep it going in Indy?
Defending Anthony Richardson
In the team’s Week 6 matchup against the Colts, the Titans faced veteran quarterback Joe Flacco. On Sunday, Anthony Richardson will be at the controls, and the Titans will aim to fluster him. Richardson has the lowest completion percentage (47.0) in the NFL this season, and he’s been pressured more than any QB in the league (41.2 percent). His pass/TD ratio is 7-11. Richardson has eight starts with a completion percentage of 50.0 or lower in 2024, which is the second-most in a season since 1990. The Titans, who are allowing 297.4 total yards per game and 182.2 pass yards per game (both top 3 in the NFL), need to add to his frustration.
A Question Mark at Kicker
Veteran Nick Folk has been Mr. Reliable this season for the Titans. Folk has made 21 of his 22 field goal attempts, and he’s a perfect 25 of 25 on his PATs. Folk is a question mark for Sunday’s game, however, because of an abdomen injury that’s limited him in practices this week. Titans coach Brian Callahan indicated Folk will be a gameday decision, with Brayden Narveson being the insurance policy. The Titans signed Narveson to the team’s 53-man roster, from the practice squad, on Saturday. “We’ll have Brayden ready to roll if we need him,” Callahan said of Narveson, who spent the preseason in Tennessee before kicking for the Packers earlier this offseason. “He’s kicked in games, and we’ll be ready to have him up if he needs to be.”
Continued Success in Indy?
It’s been a tough road for the Titans of late, I don’t need to give too many refresher courses on this. The Titans have had recent success in Indianapolis, however. The Titans are 5-2 in their last seven road games against the Colts, including last year’s loss at Lucas Oil Stadium. It’s the Titans’ best road record since the beginning of the 2017 season against any team it has played more than once on the road. Two of Tennessee’s three wins this season have come on the road. During a week when some folks have questioned this team’s toughness, it would be a good week to show up.
