Tennessee Titans coach Brian Callahan can see why the Indianapolis Colts are off to a 2-0 start ahead of the teams’ meeting on Sunday in Nashville.
“I don’t think they’ve punted and they’ve been really, really good moving the ball,” Callahan said. “We have to go play well.”
Given that Tennessee enters the matchup with an 0-2 mark, even playing well might not result in a win. But to give the home crowd a victory and get rookie quarterback Cam Ward his first professional “W,” the Titans first will have to figure out a way to win the running game.
Indianapolis quarterback Daniel Jones, cast aside by the New York Giants midway through last year, suddenly looks like the guy the Giants gave a four-year, $160 million contract after he led the team to the playoffs in 2022.
Through two games for his new team, Jones is 45 of 63 for 588 yards with two touchdown passes and no interceptions. His passer rating is a pristine 111.1.
Part of that is the presence of Jonathan Taylor in his backfield. The reigning AFC Offensive Player of the Week is coming off a 165-yard rushing effort last week in a 29-28 win over the Denver Broncos and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry so far.
Tennessee needs to find a way to neutralize Taylor while turning its top running back, Tony Pollard, loose on the Colts’ defense. Pollard is coming off a 92-yard performance last week in a 33-19 home loss to the Los Angeles Rams.
Getting Pollard off the mark should give Ward better spots to throw and lessen the chances of Indianapolis’ pass rush swamping him in the backfield. The Titans have allowed a league-worst 11 sacks, and while a couple of those have been Ward holding the ball too long, the protection in front of the rookie simply breaks down too often.
With right tackle JC Latham (hip) perhaps out for a second straight game and right guard Kevin Zeitler (biceps) also sitting out practice on Wednesday, there is reason to wonder if Tennessee can adequately protect Ward. But Callahan is optimistic that John Ojukwu, Oli Udoh or both can do the job.
“We’ve got to do our part to help them, and they’ve got to do their part to play,” Callahan said.
Ward finished 19 of 33 for 175 yards last week against the Rams. He threw his first touchdown pass on a play that he kept alive for nearly eight seconds by scrambling right before flinging a 9-yard strike across his body to Elic Ayomanor.
“This guy’s a talented player,” Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo said. “He’s played against two really good teams, so he’s seen a bunch of things thrown at him and kind of his feel for this is … you can see it growing week by week.”
Anarumo’s boss, third-year Colts head coach Shane Steichen, believes Indianapolis’ fast start has much to do with discipline and togetherness.
“I think they’re playing together,” he said. “I think everyone’s dialed in every play. The camaraderie is great.”
Indianapolis does have injury concerns, though. Rookie tight end Tyler Warren (toe) and wide receiver Josh Downs (ankle) sat out practice on Wednesday. Warren is the team leader in receptions with 11, and Downs is third with eight.
Tennessee injuries to watch include corner L’Jarius Sneed (back) and nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat (ankle). The latter practiced on a limited basis Wednesday and said he would play Sunday if it were his decision.