NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The struggling Tennessee Titans (3-11) head to Indianapolis Sunday with a new quarterback — Mason Rudolph — after benching Will Levis following a four-turnover performance against the Bengals.
The seven-year veteran started three games earlier this season when Levis was injured. Levis was up and down as the starter, and head coach Brian Callahan is looking more consistent the rest of the way.
“Yeah, that’s what we’ve been looking for all season. Being able to execute consistently over the course of multiple drives. We’ve had moments where we’ve had good drives, then we’ve had a three-and-out or we’ve had a turnover. We’re trying to find ways to be more consistent drive to drive, and that’s one of the things that we hope that’s the case. Indy’s got a good defense, they’re a challenge. I mean, they got a good front, they’ve good linebackers. And so, we’re going to have to do a good job of maintaining those drives. Going to try to stay out of some of those rush packages they have on third-and-seven-plus, they do a nice job.”
Rudolph’s experience has shown in his appearances earlier in the season when he appeared calmer and much more willing to take the easy throws that were given him.
Rudolph says the six years of experience have helped him grow, “I think drastically. Just experience. I think football IQ, being with a couple of different coordinators and seeing football schematically from three different perspectives. It helps your comfortability, your confidence. The more football you can play, the better, I think. I feel good right now.”
While the Titans are looking for more from the quarterback position they will certainly be looking to attack on the ground. Tony Pollard is 18 yards from 1,000 for the season and the Colts defense ranks 30th against the run this year giving up over 140 yards per game this season.
The Titans’ second-ranked defense can also expect to see a full dose of running back Jonathan Taylor who is having another strong year with 911 yards, five touchdowns and is averaging 4.4 yards per carry. In his career, he has struggled against Tennessee though. Taylor has never rushed for more than 70 yards in six games against the Titans and has averaged only 3.8 yards per carry against Tennessee.
The Colts’ pass offense will be without receiver Alec Pierce who will miss the game with a concussion. For Tennessee, Callahan revealed Friday that cornerback L’Jarius Sneed is expected to miss the rest of the season with the quad injury that landed him in injured reserve.
The Colts are a 3.5-point favorite to sweep the Titans after beating them 20-17 in Nashville
