The Indianapolis Colts may be without Carson Wentz and facing a possible 0-3 start to the season as they enter a matchup with the rival Titans in Week 3.
The Indianapolis Colts defense has bent quite a bit over the first two games. If the club is going to climb out of the 0-2 hole they’ve started the 2021 season in, that will have to change in Week 3 as they face an AFC South rival, the Tennessee Titans. Even early in a 17-game season, this is close to a must-win for the Colts.
Playing against Tennessee means a heavy dose of Derrick Henry. The Titans defense has not played well in their own right, so their goal will be to keep that unit off the field. Darius Leonard and the Indianapolis defense needs to play their best football in Week 3.
Of course, the Colts don’t know the status of quarterback Carson Wentz after suffering two sprained ankles a week ago. If he does play, though, his mobility will be limited. That means the offensive line, playing without starters in their own right, will need to step up and keep their quarterback upright.
In a crucial game for Indianapolis, here are three bold predictions for the team in Week 3.
3 Bold Predictions for the Indianapolis Colts in Week 3
3. Kwity Paye has a huge game getting after Ryan Tannehill
Ryan Tannehill is the third-most sacked quarterback in the NFL entering the week. When he’s dropping back, there should be opportunities for Kwity Paye and the Colts front to get after him as the Titans line also is last in the NFL in sack yards allowed.
When the Colts used their first-round pick on Paye, it was for situations like this. The rookie has to get home and has matchups that should allow him to do that. He’ll finish a favorable matchup with at least two sacks.
2. Darius Leonard will slow down Derrick Henry
No one has been able to stop Derrick Henry for quite a while. If he gets rolling, the Colts have no chance of staying in this game. All-Pro linebacker Darius Leonard will need to lead the charge if Indianapolis is going to stifle the Titans’ rushing attack.
If Leonard, who I predict will finish with more than seven tackles in the game, can play a key role in shutting down Henry, that will also allow the Colts pass rushers to get off against Tennessee’s offensive line. Leonard won’t be alone in doing that but he’ll headline the effort to largely keep Henry quiet in this game.
1. Michael Pittman Jr. has a career day
Through two games, Tennessee has given up the 26th-most passing yards. Conventional wisdom would then lead most to believe that the Colts need to run the ball to be effective and protect an injured Wentz. With that said, the Titans are entirely beatable through the air and the Colts need to take advantage of that.
Particularly if Wentz is able to play, he needs to attack a Titans defense allowing just under a 70 percent completion rate through the air. And Michael Pittman Jr. will be the main beneficiary. This is a get-right spot for the Colts offense and the second-year wide receiver will become a national household name after a career-best outing.