Laiatu Latu
Latu has been the Colts’ best pass-rusher this season, which is no surprise after a rookie year where he showed flashes. The Titans have two good tackles, but are struggling in pass-protection, as they struggle in all offensive areas. Keeping the edges contained and bringing in quick pressure to rookie quarterback Cam Ward will be important in never allowing the Titans to get into any sort of rythm, and finish the game fast. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. has been serviceable this season, the matchup to exploit lays on the right side where JC Latham has struggled with injuries and has been mediocre when on the field.
Jonathan Taylor
Yeah, yeah, I get it! Thank you Captain Obvious! Well of course JT is worth keeping an eye out every single game, but with the way the Colts’ offensive line has been playing, with how bad the Titans’ front-seven is defending the run, and just the way that JT is running the football, there might be some records broken here. There are no wasted movements in his game, no rush at all to hit the hole, no player he cannot shake, reaching top speed in an instant. I don’t think I have seen more dominance from a Colts’ skill position player in my life.
Johnathan Edwards / Mekhi Blackmon
The Titans’ wide receiver group as of right now is easily the least talented in the NFL. I am really cautious with my words and rarely am as absolutist as I am here, I am that confident in my statement. Elic Ayomanor is an intriguing rookie, and his chemistry with Ward is developing nicely, but as of right now, Ayomanor caught just 19 of his 39 targets, for 225 yards and two touchdowns. Other than him, and with Calvin Ridley most likely out for the game, the Titans will play Chimere Dike and Van Jefferson at receiver. This is the perfect chance for either Edwards or Blackmon to have a breakout game and establish themselves as the #4 cornerback on the team, maintaining their playing time until both Charvarius Ward and Jaylon Jones return from their injuries.
Michael Badgley
Either this week or the next there are going to be two very coveted kickers potentially available to sing, perhaps even three, as Lukas Havrisik (Packers), Matt Prater (Bills), and Jake Moody (Bears) could be released after their respective starters return from injuries. Michael Badgley came in for the injured Spencer Shrader, and he missed an extra point attempt against the Chargers. If Badgley struggles then the Colts will probably be looking at better options available on the market, and with a relatively easy game I don’t believe that head-coach Shane Steichen will be as aggressive as he was against the Chargers, leading to plenty of opportunities for Badgley.
Cedric Gray, linebacker (Titans)
Gray has been the second best defensive player for the Titans, and their most pleasant surprise this season by far. He is an excellent tackler, with 15 stops already defending the run, above-average in coverage, and just 22-years old. The Titans have found their starting linebacker for the next decade, and it will be entertaining watching him go up against Jonathan Taylor in the hole, hopefully several times on Sunday.
Jeffery Simmons, defensive tackle (Titans)
Simmons is by far and without a shadow of a doubt the best player that the Titans have on their team. He is good enough to be able to wreck games on his own, and is always the biggest worry when the Colts are playing the Titans. He will most likely be out for Sunday with a hamstring injury, which is amazing news for the Colts’ interior offensive line who will not have to deal all game with such a dominant player. I doubt he is available, but I would trade two 1sts and even more for him in a heartbeat.
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