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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 Offensive line
NASHVILLE, TN – DECEMBER 30: The line of scrimmages of the Indianapolis Colts game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on December 30, 2018, in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

3. Win in the trenches

In their Week 1 win in Cleveland, the Titans offensive line did what it took to win. They looked good, all things considered. Down their Pro Bowl left tackle, Taylor Lewan, and being forced to start Jamil Douglas at right guard, the Titans got creative.

In a press conference on Friday, Browns’ defensive coordinator Steve Wilks said that the Titans “used a lot of play-action and bootlegs to get [the Browns’] D-Line moving sideways,” per Scott Petrak of The Chronicle-Telegram and Medina Gazette.

The Titans will need to move the pocket once more against the Colts.

Most everyone is aware that the Colts added veteran pass-rusher Justin Houston this past offseason. What some are not aware of is how good DE Kemoko Turay is, the Colts’ 2018 second-rounder. Luckily for Titans fans, Turay is now listed as doubtful on the Colts’ injury report.

Turay finished with PFF’s top grade for all EDGE rushers in Week 1, registering one of five Colts sacks on the day. Colts’ 2019 second-round pick, DE Ben Banogu, will be the next man up this week, and he’s no slouch either.

The Titans must still design roll-outs, and keep the Colts’ D-Line moving in order to keep Mariota upright. Lewan is still out due to suspension, and as of Friday, RG Kevin Pamphile will not play on Sunday due to a knee injury.

In Week 1, the Titans gave up four sacks, one of which was on Mariota. One of Marcus’ biggest issues has been holding onto the football for too long, making it difficult for his linemen to sustain blocks. If OC Arthur Smith can draw it up, and help Mariota get the ball out quickly, the Titans O-line should be able to ward off the Colts’ surge.

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