Colts face mobile Mariota this time
Nov 23, 2017 - 4:56 AM INDIANAPOLIS -- Indianapolis Colts head coach Chuck Pagano knows that he is preparing his team to face a different Tennessee Titans squad than the one the Colts faced on Oct. 16 in Nashville.The Titans won that game 36-22, scoring 21 points in the fourth quarter. Tennessee quarterback Marcus Mariota was limited with an injury coming into that game, but still managed to lead his team to the home-field victory, throwing for 306 yards and a touchdown.
It was Mariota's 53-yard scoring pass to wide receiver Taywan Taylor with less than six minutes remaining in the game that snapped a 22-22 tie. A 72-yard touchdown run by running back Derrick Henry closed out the scoring for the Titans.
"Mariota is 100 percent now. He can extend plays (with his legs)," Pagano said Wednesday. "We played well (in Nashville), but they're better and they're healthy."
Indianapolis is playing better now than it was last month, especially on defense. The coaching staff is hopeful that improvement continues against the Titans this week.
Pagano said the defensive staff has simplified schemes during the second half of the season.
"Sometimes you can do too much," the Colts coach admitted, adding that the development of some of the team's younger players has been a major plus.
Offensively, Indianapolis needs to do a better job of handling blitz situations. Tennessee hurt the Colts with the blitz in the previous meeting. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, ramped up its blitz package in the second half of its game with Indianapolis two weeks ago.
Pagano says the Colts have to take advantage when the Titans bring pressure.
"Had (wide receiver T.Y.) Hilton open a couple times in first meeting and didn't have time to get him the ball," the Colts coach said.
According to Pagano, Indianapolis needs to win the red-zone battle on both sides of the ball.
"We've gotta score touchdowns. And we've gotta force field goals," the Colts coach said.
SERIES HISTORY: 46th regular-season meeting. Colts lead series, 31-14. Indianapolis has posted wins in 11 of the past 12 meetings. The Titans registered a 36-22 victory in their first matchup this season, winning 36-22 at Nissan Stadium on Oct. 16. Going further back, the Colts have won 24 of their last 29 meetings dating back to the 2003 season. Sixteen of the previous 28 games in the series have been decided by 10 points or less.
--Safety Clayton Geathers has been selected as the Colts' 2017 recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award. Geathers has not played in an NFL regular-season game since last December vs. Tennessee due to a neck injury, which required an offseason medical procedure. Despite the injury, he has maintained a strong presence in the Indianapolis community with his involvement in several charitable projects. He is expected to make his return vs. the Titans on Sunday at Lucas Oil Stadium.
--Running back Frank Gore has 13,574 career rushing yards and is ranked seventh all-time. Gore needs 89 yards vs. Tennessee Sunday to pass No. 6 Jerome Bettis. He needs 111 yards to pass No. 5 LaDainian Tomlinson.
--Outside linebacker John Simon knows the Colts will have their hands full with Tennessee Sunday.
"They're a very good team that played us well the last time we played them. And I know (quarterback) Marcus (Mariota) is a lot healthier out there, so that's another challenge for us," Simon said.
"But we have to play a full 60 minutes. We didn't do it the last time and it cost us."
--Defensive coordinator Ted Monachino likes the way veteran cornerback Rashaan Melvin has developed into Indianapolis' best cover corner this season.
"Rashaan's a pro's pro. He knows his body. He knows the system. And he knows how to help the (younger) guys along," Monachino said.
--Left tackle Anthony Castonzo knows the huge task that is ahead of the Colts as they try to get back into postseason consideration.
"We've got a slate of three division games, which are always important. It's going to be a good run. You get late in the season, it's kind of when teams start to show who they really are," Castonzo said. "Hopefully we'll be able to show that we're better than what we've shown so far."
NOTES: S Clayton Geathers (neck) practiced Wednesday. Geathers appears to be getting close to returning from offseason surgery to correct an issue that ended his 2016 season prematurely. ... DT Hassan Ridgeway (shoulder) did not practice Wednesday. He listed as week-to-week. Ridgeway is not expected to be ready to go in time to play vs. Tennessee Sunday. ... QB Jacoby Brissett remains in the league's protocol process, but is expected to start Sunday against the Titans. ... OLB John Simon (neck/stinger) practiced Wednesday and is expected to play against the Titans Sunday. ... CB Kenny Moore (concussion) remains in the league's protocol process. His status for the Titans game will be reviewed after Friday's workout. ... TE Darrell Daniels (hamstring) was held out of Wednesday's workout. Daniels could end up being a game-time decision Sunday. ... WR Kamar Aiken (hamstring) had limited practice time Wednesday. His status for Sunday's game with Tennessee remains undecided. ... G Kyle Kalis (knee) was limited Wednesday in practice, but probably will be available for the Titans game Sunday. ... S Matthias Farley (knee) did not practice Wednesday. While his absence is thought to be precautionary, Farley's availability for the Tennessee game remains undecided. ... Rookie OLB Tarrell Basham (illness) was held out of Wednesday's workout. Basham should be able to play Sunday but a final decision will be made Friday.
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