Colts (6-5) at Titans (4-7)
Sunday, December 3 | 1 p.m.
Nissan Stadium, Nashville
TV: CBS Radio: WGOW-AM/FM
It’s difficult to believe the Indianapolis Colts would be in the playoffs if the season ended now. Yes, the same Colts who committed to a rebuild around a raw rookie quarterback who suffered a season-ending injury in week five and are now in contention using former Jacksonville quarterback Gardner Minshew.
So, it won’t be a struggling Colts team that comes to Nissan Stadium, but a team with growing confidence that might just play itself into the postseason if things break right.
First down
Win the turnover battle. The Titans have just eight takeaways all season and got their first one in a while in Sunday’s win over Carolina. More importantly, the offense hasn’t given the ball away of late. Will Levis has thrown a few passes into harm’s way but has gotten away with them. They need to stay turnover free to have a chance against Indy.
Second down
Let Levis go. Yes, the Titans need to take care of the football. But Levis has a strong arm and, if the protection can hold, should be allowed to throw downfield. That part of the Titans game was missing Sunday, as they had just two explosive plays and none in the second half when the offense went into hibernation.
Third down
Bring the pressure. The Titans’ front four took advantage of a porous Panthers offensive line and made life miserable last week for Bryce Young. Minshew is more daring, and the Titans need to get pressure on him in order to prevent him from getting comfortable and making big plays down the field.
Fourth down
Build on Sunday’s win. The Titans haven’t done many good things during the past calendar year, including win two games in a row. But they are 4-0 at Nissan Stadium. If they can somehow squeeze out a win against their AFC South rival, it would end the ugly streak of going more than a calendar year without back-to-back victories.