Indianapolis at Tennessee (10/27/2008)

from profootball weekly

The Titans, at 6-0, are primed to overtake the Colts for the division throne for the first time in six seasons.

Behind a dominating defense and potent ground attack, Tennessee’s been the class of the NFL through the first third of the season.

The Colts, meanwhile, are struggling to find consistency. A week after dismantling the Ravens, they folded up vs. the Packers.

There are easier places for a struggling club to hit its stride than in Nashville.

Colts offense vs. Titans defense: This game could be decided in the trenches, where the Titans hold a decisive edge over the Colts.

Injuries have forced Indy to reshuffle its line a few times, but no combination has worked particularly well.

An overpowering Titans D-line won’t rely on LB blitzes to generate pressure and should force Peyton Manning to get rid of the ball early.

It’s a good thing he has receivers capable of producing yardage after the catch because the short passing game may be needed to take the place of the running game.

Tennessee’s superb run defense should bottle up a ground attack that will likely be without Joseph Addai (hamstring). Dominic Rhodes is likely to start in Addai’s place.

Titans offense vs. Colts defense: There’s little secret about what the Titans are going to do against the Colts.

They’re going to pound the ball with RBs Chris Johnson and LenDale White.

The duo was nearly unstoppable last week vs. the Chiefs, as they provide the offense with a classic 1-2 punch.

The Colts’ undersized D-line is vulnerable against power running teams and will be forced to commit an extra safety to the box.

The Colts hope that S Bob Sanders can be that player, but he may require another week to heal from ankle and knee problems.

Kerry Collins has done an admirable job of directing an efficient-yet-punchless passing attack that won’t want to test the Colts’ strong secondary too often.

Special teams: The Colts haven’t done much in the kicking game to inspire confidence.

They’ve played musical returners in the kicking and punting departments, and nobody has stood out.

Titans RS Chris Carr has been solid. Colts PK Adam Vinatieri has been historically better than Titans PK Rob Bironas, but Bironas has been the more consistent of the two recently.