INDIANAPOLIS -- The Indianapolis Colts are supposed to have a lot of success this season based off their schedule.
On paper, that is.
Yes, they play in the AFC South, one of the worst, if not the worst, divisions in the NFL. They also play the NFC South, which had a team with a losing record -- the Carolina Panthers -- make the playoffs last season, and the AFC East, which only had the New England Patriots make the playoffs last season.
But each season brings changes to rosters.
We’re going to take a look at the Colts’ week-by-week opponent for the 2015 season. Today we take a look at the Tennessee Titans.
2014 record: 2-14
First-round draft pick: QB Marcus Mariota
Veteran additions: TE Anthony Fasano, OLB Brian Orakpo, OT Byron Bell, S Da'Norris Searcy, WR Hakeem Nicks, WR Harry Douglas, CB Perrish Cox
Veteran subtractions: TE Chase Coffman, OG Chris Spencer, ILB Colin McCarthy, WR Derek Hagan, C Eric Olsen, S George Wilson, RB Jackie Battle, QB Jake Locker, QB Jordan Palmer, WR Kris Durham, RB Leon Washington, TE Matthew Mulligan, OT Michael Oher, OT Michael Roos, WR Nate Washington, OLB Quentin Groves, OT Will Svitek, DB Brandon Ghee, LB Brandon Copeland, LB Kamerion Wimbley, TE Brett Brackett
Area of concern for the Colts: None. No offense to Mariota, but I’d be surprised if he develops quick enough to be ready to pick apart the Colts by Week 3 of the season. The Titans drafted receiver Dorial Green-Beckham in the second round to give Mariota a target to throw to and possibly help take some of the pressure off running back Bishop Sankey in the backfield. But overall, the Titans still have work to do to put better talent around Mariota, who they hope will be their franchise quarterback.
Area that favors the Colts: The Titans are trying to get better defensively. They added longtime Pittsburgh defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau to their staff in the offseason. Tennessee finished 27th in the league in total defense, so LeBeau has his hands full trying to improve that unit. That's not a good thing for Tennessee when it faces Andrew Luck and the weapons he'll have surrounding him on offense this season.