Meet The Opponent: 3 Things to Know About Indianapolis Colts, Including Jonathan Taylor's Return

The Tennessee Titans take on the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium, and they've got a battle on their hands with the return of star running back Jonathan Taylor. Here are three things to know about the Colts.

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — There is extra value to division games in the NFL because you can get a win and hand a loss to a rival at the same time. That's certainly true on Sunday when the Tennessee Titans travel to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. Both teams are 2-2 and tied for the lead in the AFC South, where all four teams have the same record.

The game starts at Noon CT at Lucas Oil Stadium. Here are three things to know about the 2-2 Indianapolis Colts:

1. What Jonathan Taylor brings to the table

The long contract impasse between running back Jonathan Taylor and the Colts finally ended on Saturday, with the former Wisconsin great agreeing to a three-year, $42 million contract extension that includes $26.5 million guaranteed. He's practiced all week, and will be active for Sunday's game with the Colts. 

It's been a big storyline in the NFL for a couple of years, with star running backs struggling to get paid as teams hold the line on what they thing of their true value. Taylor is the first running back to get a multi-year contract worth $10 million or more per year since Nick Chubb signed with Cleveland in 2021.

Taylor has rushed for 3,841 in his first three seasons with the Colts, and is one of the best young backs in the game. But how ready will he be on Sunday, without and contact in practice since last winter? The Colts can run block, and are averaging 115.8 yards per game on the ground without him, good for No. 14 in the league. That's actually MORE than the Titans, who are No. 15 at 111.0.

2. Can Titans' defense rattle rookie QB Anthony Richardson?

The Colts drafted quarterback Anthony Richardson out of Florida with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He's an incredible athlete, but he only started 13 college games and a lot of scouts weren't sure if he was ready to beat defenses from Day 1.

But the Colts have thrown him right into the fire. He's made three starts — he missed the Baltimore game with a concussion — and he's done well. He's 41-for-72 passing for 479 yards, with three touchdown passes and just one interception. He's also rushed for 131 yards and four more scores. 

He's a tough cover in the red zone, and that's even more of a challenge now that Taylor is back. His size — he's 6-foot-4 and 244 pounds — makes him a real threat.

“It makes you defend everybody,” Titans coach Mike Vrabel said when asked about Richardson's ability to create plays in the red zone. “If it’s a run action, somebody’s got a responsibility for the quarterback. Somebody’s got a responsibility for the two receivers they release and throws they can make off of it.”

In the passing game,  the Titans did a great job of making Joe Burrow uncomfortable last Sunday in the 27-3 win at Nissan Stadium. They'll want to do more of the same with Richardson, sending pass rushers from different directions. They'll be thrilled if they can force a few turnovers from the rookie.

3. Can Colts' Long Home Losing Streak Continue?

The Indianapolis Colts are off to a surprisingly good 2-2 start, but both wins have come on the road at Houston and Baltimore. In their two home games, they've lost to Jacksonville and the Los Angeles Rams, and have lost seven straight home games dating back to mid-October of 2022.

Those odds can't last forever, right? 

Lucas Oil Stadium can get loud and raucous, and the Colts fans will be juiced up now that Taylor is back and signed for three years. That home-field advantage could mean a little more than usual. 

The Titans are 0-2 on the road so far, and haven't looked very good in road losses at New Orleans (16-15) and Cleveland (27-3). They still haven't scored a touchdown on the road, and the Colts defense will look to continue that trend. The Colts are giving up 390 yards per game, which ranks No. 29 in the league.

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