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2018 Colts Season Preview: Colts/Titans, Week 11

An early look at the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans Week 11 regular season matchup.

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INDIANAPOLIS — The Indianapolis Colts play their second consecutive home division game in Week 11 when they welcome the Tennessee Titans to Lucas Oil Stadium.

Both teams are welcoming new coaching staffs but maintain playoff expectations.

BROADCAST INFORMATION

  • Sunday, Nov. 18, at 1 p.m. ET
  • Indianapolis (Lucas Oil Stadium)
  • TV — CBS

ALL-TIME SERIES

  • Colts lead, 31-15. Titans have won the last two (both in 2017). Colts had won 16 of the prior 17 matchups going back to 2008.
  • Last game — Week 12 of 2017. Titans won, 20-16.

COACHING STAFF

Colts:

  • HC Frank Reich
  • OC Nick Sirianni
  • DC Matt Eberflus
  • STC Bubba Ventrone

Titans:

  • HC Mike Vrabel
  • OC Matt LaFleur
  • DC Dean Pees
  • STC Craig Aukerman

KEY NEW FACES

Colts:

  • OG Quenton Nelson
  • TE Eric Ebron
  • WR Ryan Grant
  • RB Nyheim Hines
  • DT/DE Denico Autry

Titans:

  • RB Dion Lewis
  • CB Malcolm Butler
  • LB Rashaan Evans
  • OLB Harold Landry
  • NT Bennie Logan

OTHER SIGNIFICANT CHANGES

Colts:

  • The Colts got an almost entirely new coaching staff this offseason, and general manager Chris Ballard went into his second offseason of flipping the roster.
  • With the coaching change came a switch to a 4-3, Tampa-2 style defense from the hybrid 3-4 defense.
  • From 2017 to 2018, there could be as many as a dozen or more new starters.
  • One of those new starters will be at running back. Frank Gore is now on the Miami Dolphins, so a new face will be stepping into the starting tailback spot.

Titans:

  • Like the Colts, the Titans are working in a brand new coaching staff led by first-time head coach Mike Vrabel.
  • A couple of familiar faces are no longer with the team as running back DeMarco Murray and linebacker Avery Williamson were replaced with Dion Lewis and Rashaan Evans, respectively.
  • The Titans unfortunately have not gotten their return on investment in former second-round pick Kevin Dodd. However, they did draft outside linebacker Harold Landry this spring, who may have been the best pure pass-rusher in the draft.
  • Tennessee fortified its pass defense with the addition of cornerback Malcolm Butler. With Adoree' Jackson heading into year two, their secondary could now be a strong point. Adding Landry to go with edge rushers Brian Orakpo and Derrick Morgan certainly helps the cause as well.

EARLY STORYLINES

  • Reggie's Day — The Colts' second all-time leading receiver, Reggie Wayne, is being inducted into the team's Ring of Honor during halftime. The Colts are 8-5 in games in which they host a Ring of Honor induction ceremony.
  • AFC South Race — Like the Colts' matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars the week before, this game could have big implications towards winning the AFC South. All four teams are legitimate contenders for the division.
  • Can The Colts Stop Derrick Henry? — Henry was a beast against the Colts in their two games last year, racking up 234 yards from scrimmage on 34 touches and a touchdown. With Murray no longer the primary back and those duties likely going to Henry, will the Colts be able to contain him this time around?

INTRIGUING MATCHUPS

  • Colts WR T.Y. Hilton vs. Titans CB Malcolm Butler — Butler is a true top corner and has a chip on his shoulder after his departure from the New England Patriots. This is a good matchup for the Colts' top receiver.
  • Colts OG Quenton Nelson vs. Titans DL Jurrell Casey — Nelson's tough matchups continue, this time, again, with one of the best interior pass rushers in the game.
  • Colts DE Jabaal Sheard vs. Titans OT Jack Conklin — Although he is coming off a torn ACL, Conklin is one of the top right tackles in the game. It will be a good opportunity for Sheard to prove himself as one of the league's more productive pass rushers.
  • Colts CB Quincy Wilson vs. Titans WR Corey Davis — This is a matchup between two players who dealt with injuries early as rookies last year but turned it on a bit late in the year. On paper, this is a matchup of a budding No. 1 corner against a No. 1 receiver.
  • Colts S Malik Hooker vs. Titans TE Delanie Walker — Hooker did a nice job against Walker last year in Tennessee. However, in 11 career games against the Colts, Walker has 58 catches for 585 yards and four touchdowns. As Walker is one of the league's top tight ends, the Colts will need Hooker to keep up the high level of play.

RETURNING LEADERS

Colts:

  • Passing — QB Jacoby Brissett (3,098 yards)
  • Rushing — RB Marlon Mack (358 yards)
  • Receiving — WR T.Y. Hilton (966 yards)
  • Touchdowns — QB Jacoby Brissett, WR T.Y. Hilton, TE Jack Doyle (4)
  • Tackles — LB Antonio Morrison (108 total)
  • Sacks — DE Jabaal Sheard (5.5)
  • Interceptions — S Malik Hooker (3)

Titans:

  • Passing — QB Marcus Mariota (3,232 yards)
  • Rushing — RB Derrick Henry (744 yards)
  • Receiving — TE Delanie Walker (807 yards)
  • Touchdowns — RB Derrick Henry (6)
  • Tackles — ILB Wesley Woodyard (124)
  • Sacks — OLB Derrick Morgan (7.5)
  • Interceptions — S Kevin Byard (8)

COMPARING 2017 STATS

Colts:

  • Total offense — 31st (284.8 YPG)
  • Scoring offense — 30th (16.4 PPG)
  • Passing offense — 30th (180.8 YPG)
  • Running offense — 22nd (103.8 YPG)
  • Total defense — 30th (367.1 YPG)
  • Scoring defense — 30th (25.2 PPG)
  • Passing defense — 28th (246.6 YPG)
  • Sacks — 31st (25)
  • Running defense — 26th (120.4 YPG)
  • Time of possession — 22nd (29:41)
  • Turnover margin — 13th (+5)

Titans:

  • Total offense — 23rd (314.0 YPG)
  • Scoring offense — 19th (20.9 PPG)
  • Passing offense — 23rd (199.4 YPG)
  • Running offense — 15th (114.6 YPG)
  • Total defense — 13th (328.0 YPG)
  • Scoring defense — 17th (22.2 PPG)
  • Passing defense — 25th (239.2 YPG)
  • Sacks — 5th (43)
  • Running defense — 4th (88.8 YPG)
  • Time of possession — 17th (30:06)
  • Turnover margin — 24th (-4)

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Other 2018 Colts Season Previews:

Titans @ Colts 2017 - HIGHLIGHTS

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