The Indianapolis Colts need Jonathan Taylor to find a lane again. The starting running back has remained productive overall, but the Pittsburgh Steelers bottled him up last week, and Locked On Colts host Jake Arthur said there was virtually no space for Taylor to operate before contact. A Tennessee Titans defense that has held up better against the run than expected presents another test for an offense that cannot afford to become one-dimensional.
Taylor has 398 rushing yards and six touchdowns through five games, but Arthur pointed to the recent drop-off in room at the line of scrimmage as a central reason the Colts’ offense stalled in Pittsburgh. Indianapolis reached the red zone three times in that loss but produced only one touchdown, making it harder for Daniel Jones and the passing game to compensate for a ground attack that never established control.
The Colts have a favorable matchup on paper against an 0-5 opponent, but Arthur argued that simply avoiding turnovers and sacks will not be enough after last week’s 12-point loss. He said the offense must convert red-zone chances into touchdowns instead of leaning on kicker Spencer Schrader to keep games close.
Taylor remains the clearest way to change that equation. If the run game forces Tennessee to bring an extra defender into the box, it can create cleaner intermediate opportunities for Jones. If the Titans keep Taylor contained, the Colts may again face compressed windows and too many third-and-long situations.
Tennessee will likely make stopping Taylor its first priority. Locked On Titans host Tyler Rowland said the visitors need to control the run, create turnovers and finally generate enough offense to have a realistic chance. That puts the Colts’ ability to create early movement up front at the center of a game they should win, but cannot afford to let become another close escape.
A productive day from Taylor would give Indianapolis its most direct path to a cleaner win: stay ahead of the chains, finish drives and avoid giving Tennessee the extra possessions it needs to pull an upset.
Colts News and Notes
– Tight end Tyler Warren and wide receiver Josh Downs could be positioned to exploit Tennessee’s issues over the middle. Rowland said the Titans have been vulnerable from base personnel, particularly when opponents use motion and vertical routes to create openings behind their linebackers.
– Arthur said the defense needs to manufacture more pressure on Cam Ward after struggling to get home with four rushers. The Colts have recorded only two takeaways this season and Arthur predicted Ward’s aggressive style could give the defense a chance to change that Sunday.
– Tennessee’s ability to pressure quarterback Daniel Jones remains a major swing factor. Rowland said the Titans need Jeffery Simmons and the rest of their front to create mistakes, while Arthur views a clean pocket for Jones as a key requirement for the Colts to avoid another self-inflicted loss.
More on the Indianapolis Colts
- Will the Colts Bench Daniel Jones? 2-3 Start and Deep-Ball Woes Keep Anthony Richardson Waiting
- NFL Analyst Says Rashod Bateman Is the Wrong Receiver for a Colts Team Desperate for a No. 1
- Can the Colts’ Interior Line Hold Up Against Jeffery Simmons, the NFL’s Quick-Pressure Leader?
- Where Did Jonathan Taylor’s Big Runs Go? The Colts Star Addresses His 3.9-Yard Average
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