The Indianapolis Colts are looking to rebound this week as they travel to Tennessee for a divisional matchup with the Titans. Any sort of bounce-back begins with improved play on the defensive side of the football.
Over the last three games in particular, the Colts have given up a lot of yards through the air, a number of explosive plays, and struggled to generate consistent pressure.
How this unit performs this Sunday against the Titans will largely be determined by the answers to these three key questions.
Can the front pressure Will Levis?
The Colts pass rush, which is dealing with injuries, is coming off an abysmal performance in Jacksonville. By PFF’s metrics, the Colts pressured Trevor Lawrence on only one of his 34 dropbacks.
This week, the Colts will be facing a Titans’ offensive line that has allowed the eighth highest pressure rate this season, the seventh-most sacks, and the unit collectively ranks 31st in pass-blocking efficiency. In addition to that, the Colts are hopefully getting a bit more healthy with Kwity Paye returning to practice this week–although we still don’t know what his status for this game will be.
As we all know, pressure is King. It disrupts the timing and rhythm of the play and can often lead to mistakes.
Can the defense capitalize on turnover opportunities?
Speaking of mistakes, Levis as been quite turnover-prone this season. In just four games, Levis is tied for the lead league in interceptions with six and he ranks ninth in turnover-worthy play rate.
Given how the first four games have gone for Levis, chances are the Colts will have an opportunity or two for an interception. Although the defense continues to take its lumps, creating turnovers is an area where they’ve found success as of late. Heading into Week 6, the Colts eight takeaways are the seventh-most this season.
Can Colts limit the big plays?
As already mentioned, big plays–both on the ground and through the air–have doomed this Colts team this season. In the Jacksonville game along, three plays of at least 60 yard contributed to 21 of the Jaguars 37 points.
Some good news for the Colts is that the Titans come into this game as one of the worst offenses when it comes to creating big plays. Their 19 total explosive plays fifth-fewest in football. With that said, wide receiver Calvin Ridley certainly possesses that big play ability, averaging just under 16.0 yards per catch and ranking top 15 in targets of 20-plus yards.
The Colts need to force a Titans’ offense that has struggled to consistently move the ball this season to string together 12-plus play scoring drives, rather than allowing a big play or two to put up quick points.