Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Tim Tebow (15) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts outside linebacker Jerry Hughes (92) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Jets won 35-9. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-US PRESSWIRE
Indianapolis Colts (3-3) meet the Tennessee Titans (3-4) in Nashville Sunday for what could be a great game between to teams vying for 2nd place in the AFC South. This could be another high scoring affair for the Titans, a team struggling to stop even the worst of teams offenses. This week they’ll be facing a pretty offense led by young QB Andrew Luck.
Here’s the Colts players I’ll be watching Sunday:
OLB Dwight Freeney/ Jerry Hughes
The Titans look like they’re going to be without LT Michael Roos for the first time since drafting him. No QB ever wants his main blind side protector to miss a game. That goes even more so when that guy is Roos. With Roos out, Freeney could start a feeding frenzy on backup OT Mike Otto. Even the idea of it is bad. Nobody wants to see a rushed Matt Hasselbeck, that is unless they’re rooting for the Colts.
These guys could create turbulence for a QB who can struggle under pressure and make mistakes. This is one of the problems the Titans could face Sunday.
WR Reggie Wayne
Anyone who thought Wayne’s production might be dropping off was dead wrong. Wayne has 47 receptions for 666 yards and 2 TD’s. He’s averaging 14.2 yards per catch and has proven to be Luck’s favorite target thus far. The Titans safeties are struggling when asked to cover receivers. The CB’s are doing okay, but the Titans biggest whole on defense comes from their safeties. It makes me wince thinking of what the Colts passing attack is planning to do to the Titans.
WR Donnie Avery
Turns out after those guys, there’s not a lot to be afraid of. I could have put TE Coby Fleener here, but I chose to go with Avery. You may be saying, “What about Luck?!?!?” Well exactly. What about him? The guys has only completed 53.3% of his passes this season and has 7 TD’s to 7 INT’s. He’s still learning. Avery was a Titan and could still be a Titan, but the FO didn’t want to match a pretty easy offer. I’m not saying the Titans were wrong, but it’s always a bummer to see a guy on your team go to another team and find much more success.
Avery has just about as many yards as any Titans receiver with his 304 yards and 1 TD. He’s close enough to the number 2 receiver on the Colts. Avery may not be the playmaker he was in his prime in St. Louis, but I still respect his play and obviously he’s stumbled into the perfect storm to make his comeback.
But enough of me getting away from what I’m really trying to say – everybody wants to have a great game against the last team that let them go. Avery is no different.
I’m excited to watch this game. It’s been a while since the Titans have been so primed to take the Colts down. The Titans aren’t necessarily threatening, but they’re just as good as the Colts right now.
Doesn’t say much, but you take what you can get these days.
You can find me on Twitter @JustinLStewart