Game Preview: Titans (3-3) Look to Win Third Straight and Get over .500 as they host Colts (2-4)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Week 7 is here, the Tennessee Titans are 3-3, they've won back-to-back games and sit just a game out of first place. For the first time in a long time the question needs to be asked, is this team for real?

On Sunday, the Titans will have a chance to prove their validity as they play host to the Indianapolis Colts (2-4) at Nissan Stadium. The Colts have had the Titans number in recent years, winning each of the last nine meetings between the two AFC South teams.

Indianapolis is coming off an overtime loss to the Houston Texans last week, a loss in which the Colts allowed 14 points in the final three minutes of regulation without there ever being an onside kick attempted.

“Every NFL team is a dangerous team to me,” said Titans head Coach Mike Mularkey on facing the Colts a week after Indianapolis lost to Houston. “Their record, just like ours, could be different if a couple things went the other way. That's the way I'm looking at it right now. We're not overlooking anything. I don't care about rankings, all those things. This is going to be a tough game.

“I think, again, we took a step last week winning that game. Again, we're focusing on this game. It's another step in the direction, like I said. I think we're on the right track. We have a lot still to work on and still to do, but all it's doing is confirming we're going the right direction.”

Tennessee on the other hand is riding a wave of momentum as they defeated Cleveland 28-26 in week 6, giving the team just their third home victory in the last three seasons, and securing the Titans their first stretch of back-to-back wins since 2013.

Over the past two weeks, quarterback Marcus Mariota has looked very good, as the second-year man threw for 3 touchdowns in each of the past two games while rushing for one more in the week 5 win at Miami. Mariota has a combined 447 yards passing, 124 yards rushing, 7 touchdowns and just one interception in the last two games.

A key asset to the passing game has been wide receiver Kendall Wright, who brought in 8 receptions for 133 yards and a touchdown against the Browns. Receiver Rishard Matthews has also turned into one of Mariota's favorite targets in the last two weeks, as Matthews has collected 7 catches for 102 yards and 2 scores during that stretch.

Mariota did something he had not done yet in the NFL on Sunday, as he completed two passes of over 40 yards. Mariota also added a 41-yard run on the first play from scrimmage.

Running back DeMarco Murray had a drop off in yards against Cleveland, as the Browns defense made it a key to focus on the former All-Pro running back. Murray collected just 65 yards while reaching the end zone once last week.

Rookie Derrick Henry had limited snaps in week 6, as the Titans have continued to ride the hot hand of Murray. Henry should get an increase of touches in the next few weeks, as Murray is currently on pace for over 400 carries this season.

The reigning Heisman Trophy winner has yet to reach the end zone in the NFL, as Tennessee has decided to go with Murray in goal line situations. The rookie does have 158 yards on the ground this season, with 70 more yards coming through the passing game.

Indianapolis should present Tennessee with the ability to once again run the ball at will, as the Colts currently sit as the No. 25 defense in the NFL against the run, allowing opponents to rush for an average of 117.7 yards per game. The Titans are averaging 147.7 yards per game on the ground as a team, which is third best in the league.

Tennessee's defense on the contrary to Indianapolis' should present a big threat to their opponents. The Titans are coming off back-to-back games in which they have sacked the quarterback 6 times each, and linebacker Brian Orakpo already has 7 sacks in six games. Colts' quarterback Andrew Luck poises a threat with not just his arm but also his size and mobility; however, the former No. 1 overall pick has already been sacked 23 times, which is the most in the NFL.

Frank Gore will be one of the Colts primary weapons on Sunday. The 12th year running back is in his second season with Indianapolis, and enters Sunday’s game with 434 yards rushing on the year. In the week 6 loss at Houston, Gore rushed for a season high 106-yards. Tennessee holds the No. 9 defense in the NFL, and they have excelled against the run, allowing an average of 88.5 yards per game, which is seventh best in the league.

“He's a physical player. Just watch the tape on the guy,” said Mularkey on Gore. “The guy is still yards after contact as he was when he was young. He still has—we showed it to our defense—the jump cuts in the holes, still has the ability to make people miss right in a lot of traffic, and then once he got through the hole, he ran a guy over. He showed everything he was capable of doing in that one play.”

Luck will be without a number of his offensive weapons on Sunday, forcing him to rely heavily on receiver T.Y. Hilton. Receivers Donte Moncrief (Shoulder) and Phillip Dorsett (Foot/Hamstring), along with tight end Dwayne Allen (Ankle) and guard Jack Mewhort (Tricep) have all been ruled out for Sunday.

“We're going to pay attention to him if he's the only guy on the field,” said Mularkey on Thursday when asked about Hilton. “We better pay attention to (T.Y.) Hilton. That doesn't change a lot of things coverage-wise. I mean, we're aware of their injury status, but we've got to know where he's lined up on every play and handle a game wrecker.”

Indianapolis had 20 players listed on the injury report this week, as opposed to just two for Tennessee. Tight end Anthony Fasano and cornerback Brice McCain each missed practice on Wednesday with ankle injuries, but the two were full participation for the rest of the week, meaning the Titans will enter Sunday completely healthy.

Per NFL rules, each team will have 53-players on their official roster during the regular season, but only 46 can suit up and be eligible to play on game days. Even with a healthy team at his disposal, Mularkey must choose seven players to designate as inactives.

“That's a good problem,” added Mularkey on Friday on having to designate seven of his players as inactive on Sunday, even though his team is fully healthy. “You never want to do that anyhow, but that's the way of the league and what they want to do. We'll make that decision still on Sunday.”

UPDATE: Rookie linebacker Kevin Dodd (Foot) was added to the injury report Sunday and is listed as questionable for Sunday. Dodd was on the field for 21 plays against Cleveland.

KEYS TO VICTORY: TENNESSEE

1. 100+ yards on the ground for DeMarco Murray: The Colts are a team that will allow you to run the football, and DeMarco Murray is currently the No. 2 leading rusher in the NFL. Tennessee will need a big game out of Murray for several reasons. A successful day on the ground will not only allow the Titans to control time of possession, but also open play-action for Mariota, which in the past has proven to be where the Titans excel the best at passing. 

2. Get pressure on Andrew Luck: Luck poises a challenge with his size, causing multiple members of the Tennessee defense to speak out this week about how difficult it is to sack him. Luck has a young offensive line, and he has been sacked more times than any other quarterback this year. Not only are the Titans going to need to sack the former Stanford star, but they are going to need to pressure him all game to force turnovers. Tennessee forced Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill to throw two interceptions in week 5, one of which was due in large part to pressure from defensive lineman Karl Klug. Hitting, sacking, and putting pressure on Luck should create turnovers. Tennessee has yet to force a fumble or score a defensive touchdown this season, maybe that changes in week 7.

3. Stop Frank Gore: So not only is Tennessee going to need to run the ball at will, but they are also going to need to silence Indianapolis' rushing attack. The Titans have excelled at stopping the run in 2016. Tennessee held a healthy Adrian Peterson to just 31 yards on 19 carries in week one. The Titans' defense, which sits at No. 9 in the NFL, has not allowed a 100-yard rusher all season. The Colts have shown this season they want to run the ball. Stopping the run early will force the Colts to have to pass more. With a depleted receiving core, Luck will not have as many options to rely on this week. Stopping the run will open chances to put pressure on Luck.

GAME DAY INFORMATION

Game Time: Sunday October 23, 2016 at 12:00 p.m. (CT)

TV: CBS

Broadcasters: Spero Dedes, Solomon Wilcots

Referee: Jerome Boger

Game Line*: Tennessee -3

*As of Friday October 21

All information provided via www.titansonline.com and espn.com. Stats provided via www.pro-football-reference.com.