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Tennessee Titans: 3 offensive keys to victory vs. Colts

By John Lowell

CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans takes off on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - SEPTEMBER 08: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans takes off on a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on September 08, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio . (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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Tennessee Titans running back, Derrick Henry.
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: Derrick Henry #22 of the Tennessee Titans blocks George Odum #30 of the Indianapolis Colts while running with the ball during the third quarter at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /

1. Get Derrick Henry rolling early

Not including his rookie season, in which he only registered one carry vs. Indianapolis, Derrick Henry has run exceptionally well against the Colts’ front seven.

In 2017, when the Titans swept the Colts, Henry ran for 210 yards on 32 carries in tow games. Last season, the University of Alabama alumni had a bit more trouble, tallying 139 yards on 25 carries in two contests. Numbers don’t lie.

No matter how you shake it, Henry has always found success against the Colts, averaging 6.0 yards per carry. The problem has been game-script. When the Titans fall behind, they have no choice but to turn to their subpar aerial attack. Not exactly ideal.

Are you ready for this? Henry has never seen more than 20 carries in a single game against Indianapolis, and that is a crime.  On one hand, the Titans fall behind in games early and often. Take 2018’s Week 11 matchup, in which the Titans fell behind 24-3 by halftime. That’s too substantial a lead to implement Henry’s skillset.

On the other hand, in 2017, former RB DeMarco Murray was still involved, and in 2018, former OC Matt LaFleur wanted Henry to split carries with RB Dion Lewis. I’m of the mind that some coaches need to give their best players the ball. It seems so simple, and yet, infuriatingly not happenin’ for Titans fans. Coach Vrabel, just let the big man eat.

If the Titans decide to let El Tractorcito plow Indianapolis’ front, the boys in two-tone blue will have a real shot at winning this game. Even if I’m tempering my expectations, and Henry is given 25 carries, he could run for 125-140 yards. And if he’s continually deployed in the red zone, the “little tractor” could have a pair of touchdowns on the day, as well.

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