Ryan Tannehill vs Colts Passing Defense
The Colts did not do themselves any favors in regards to the secondary, which should only help the Titans, and more specifically, Ryan Tannehill.
Indianapolis decided back in March to roll the dice on Xavier Rhodes, a seven-year veteran cornerback recently released by the Minnesota Vikings– and rated by PFF as one of the worst players at the position. Rhodes, faults and all is more than likely set to take over as the starter.
Joining Rhodes at outside cornerback will likely be Kenny Moore, a returning starter for the Colts who did play well for Indianapolis in 2019, but couldn’t help the Colts from finishing in the bottom ten in passing yards allowed. With Rhodes marking the only notable addition to the group, that pass defense should be staying largely the same unit that struggled in 2019.
Enter, Ryan Tannehill. The NFL’s most efficient passer in 2019, who dissected the Colts passing defense in his one game against them to the tune of 17/22 and two touchdowns through the air. In year two with the Titans, a year where he’s had an offseason to learn the offense and develop chemistry with his receivers as the team’s designed QB1– there’s no reason to think that Tannehill can’t play at that level again.
And if Corey Davis can emerge as a solid player as the Titans WR2 this season, Indianapolis could especially struggle to slow down Tennessee’s passing attack. With two above-average receiving threats in AJ Brown and Corey Davis, one of which would most likely be facing Xavier Rhodes, Tannehill and the Titans offense could make for two tough matchups against the Colts.