The Tennessee Titans square off with their AFC South divisional rivals in the Indianapolis Colts for a Week 2 matchup.
The Titans started off the year strong, by trouncing the Cleveland Browns for one of the most surprising results of Week 1. Meanwhile, the Colts took a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. However, they put up a much better fight than many thought they would in the organization's first game since Andrew Luck retired, falling to a Super Bowl contender in overtime.
Now the two will look to improve and build upon their Week 1 performances in a matchup against each other. What will the outcome be? More specifically, how will things go for Tennessee?
Here are four bold predictions for the Titans in their Week 2 matchup vs. the Colts.
4. Marcus Mariota Doesn't Turn the Ball Over
For the second straight game, Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota will keep the ball out of enemy hands.
In Week 1, he threw three touchdown passes and didn't throw an interception or fumble the ball. That was against a Browns defense that was supposed to be really solid.
Now in Week 2, they're facing another strong defense. However, Mariota will continue to show he's matured greatly at the position and march his team down the field without giving the ball up.
This will help to solidify him as a legitimate starting quarterback in the NFL, and just as importantly, could even make him a part of the Titans long-term future plans once again.
3. Defense Knocks Jacoby Brissett Down A Notch
Jacoby Brissett is a very good quarterback. He was probably the best backup QB in the league when Andrew Luck was still the starter.
However, he's not always going to complete 77.8 percent of his passes for two touchdowns and no interceptions. Yes, throwing for 190 yards isn't great, but he did his job, not turning the ball over against a dangerous defense.
The Titans defense proved in Week 1 that they're going to be an absolute problem. Yes, the Indianapolis defense is low-key very strong all around, but Tennessee will create plays.
The Colts have a great offensive line, but Tennessee could get pressure pretty often. They also have the secondary to blanket Indianapolis' receiving options, even keeping T.Y. Hilton in check.
Due to that, Brissett's not going to look as good as he did in Week 1. Tennessee will lower that completion percentage and pick up a few turnovers along the way.
Mike Vrabel's defense proved in Week 1 that they're not to be taken lightly. In Week 2, they'll only turn more doubters into believers.
2. Delanie Walker Scores Again
In Week 1, Delanie Walker scored two touchdowns. Not long ago, this wouldn't have been crazy big news.
However, injuries have severely slowed him down throughout his career. For quite some time, Walker was one of the best tight ends in football. That's a tough claim now, though. Yes, he was really good in 2017, but the three touchdowns were also his lowest since joining the Titans in 2013.
Then Walker appeared in just one game last season due to injury.
Because of that, many people have written Walker off as a tight end past his prime. The 35-year-old silenced a lot of that talk in Week 1, though, picking up five receptions for 55 yards and those two scores mentioned earlier.
He'll keep that train rolling in Week 2 with another touchdown. This will solidify him as a serious threat once again. Walker will be considered a top-tier tight end, and a must-have fantasy option going forward.
1. Titans Win By Multiple Scores
The Colts proved in Week 1 that they aren't going to lay down for an opponent. Los Angeles is set to be one of the best teams in the NFL and Indianapolis gave them a fight.
That's something many didn't expect following the Luck news. Yes, they wouldn't be nearly as bad as they were the last time he was out, but they'd still surely be a bad team, right?
That doesn't appear to be the case. However, they still have some issues to work out, and the Titans looked nearly perfect in Week 1.
The Colts will put up another valiant fight, but the combination of this being a divisional game against a strong opponent away from Indianapolis will be too much to overcome.
The Titans will pull away in the second half and won't look back. It won't be a blowout, but the game won't come down to the wire, either
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