The Tennessee Titans (0-5) travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts (2-3) this Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium. The teams will kick off at 12:00 p.m. CDT.
Last week, the Houston Texans humiliated the Titans and dominated them in every facet of the game. Tennessee must bounce back if it wants any chance to rebound in 2026, and so far, it hasn’t shown the growth needed to compete in the AFC South.
The Colts are coming off a disappointing loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and will look to get back on track and keep pace with the division-leading Jacksonville Jaguars, who currently have a two-game buffer.
Ahead of their meeting, we sat down with Colts Wire Managing Editor Paul Bretl and picked his brain in this week's edition of Behind Enemy Lines.
With owner Carly Irsay-Gordon being the complete opposite of Titans' owner Amy Adams Strunk, does her constant presence help or hamper the on-field product?
Bretl:
Carlie Irsay-Gordon has been on the sidelines for years. She's also a regular in team meetings, which isn't new either. She familiarizes herself with the game plan each week and, on Sundays, listens in on the play calls and communication to hear how the game unfolds from the coaches' and players' perspectives.
"It's not an issue at all; she's been doing it for a long time," Shane Steichen said, via the Indy Star. "We love Carlie. What she does for these players, day in and day out, what she gives them. She just wants to win and learn. It's zero distraction on our part, at all. We have no issue with her being down there."
The Colts' pass rush hasn't set the world on fire in 2026. Do you think they have the players to turn things around against a Titans unit that struggled against Houston? Will that be a significant factor in the game's outcome?
DeForest Buckner is off to a red-hot start, and Laiatu Latu has been solid, but the pass rush unit as a whole has lacked consistency. This was a major concern coming into the season, and it remains one. Injuries to Arden Key and Michael Clemons haven't helped. Getting after the QB is the name of the game, not just this week, but every week, and the Colts collectively have to get better at it.
The Colts invested heavily in Alec Pierce during the offseason, and he has struggled with injuries all season. After torching Tennessee in the past, which receiver has stepped up to fill in for his loss?
Josh Downs has been strong since entering the NFL and has been a go-to target for Daniel Jones this year and last. That said, defenses have really honed in on Downs, limiting his impact. Without Pierce, the Colts' offense lacks that vertical presence, which not only limits explosive play opportunities but also lets the defense play Indianapolis more aggressively by shrinking the field and taking away short-to-intermediate throws.
It feels like Jonathan Taylor has had a Hall of Fame career against the Titans; will he be the key to the game on Sunday?
Getting Jonathan Taylor going is always a priority for the Colts. He can create explosive plays, but a steady run game keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and out of predictable passing situations. This season, however, those yards haven't come easily for Taylor, who is averaging just 3.9 yards per carry.
Who is one under-the-radar player Titans fans should watch in this matchup? And what is your prediction for this AFC South battle?
At defensive tackle, Adetomiwa Adebawore has had a good season, often impacting the game as a pass rusher with his quickness. As far as a prediction goes, while the Colts have their flaws, they typically beat the teams that they're supposed to. Colts 24 - Titans 17
This article originally appeared on Titans Wire: Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts: Behind Enemy Lines
