Week 10 of the NFL season got underway with a battle for first place in the AFC South. The first half was tightly contested, as many expected the game to be. The Titans led 17-13 at the midway point but after the break, it was all Colts. They proceeded to score 21 points in the second half while holding the Titans scoreless en route to a 34-17 victory.
Tennessee Special Teams Errors Dig a Hole
Philip Rivers led the Colts to a field goal in the two-minute offense to end the first half. That made it 17-13 as the teams hit the locker rooms with the Colts getting the ball back to start the second half.
They moved the ball down the field on that opening possession over 15 plays, including two successful fourth down conversions. They got all the way down to the one yard line of the Titans as the drive went over the seven minute mark. Incredibly, the Titans stuffed two goal-line rushing attempts and forced a turnover on downs.
It appeared they were getting the momentum back with the stop, even as they started the next drive in their own end zone. Instead, they gave the Colts all the momentum a few plays later when they brought on Trevor Daniel to punt from the ten yard line. He shanked the punt, which traveled just 17 yards. The Colts capitalized with a touchdown drive that started on the Tennessee 27-yard line.
It did not end there. The Titans’ following drive was a three-and-out, and on came Daniel again. This time, the punt was blocked and returned for a score, giving Indianapolis a 27-17 lead. Adding insult to injury, Stephen Gostkowski missed a field goal attempt on the ensuing drive, failing to bring the Titans to within seven. At that exact moment, it became clear that Tennessee could not dig themselves out of the hole they quickly put themselves in.
Titans
The Titans’ special teams performance was horrendous, but still cannot make fans ignore where else they struggled. Outside of Derrick Henry, it was a bad showing across the board for Mike Vrabel‘s team.
Ryan Tannehill threw for just 147 yards, completing 15 out of 27 attempts. The 147 yards set a season-low for the veteran signal-caller. His favorite target on the day was Corey Davis, who tallied 67 yards on five catches. Many of those numbers came when the game was already out of reach.
Henry rushed for 103 yards against the tough Colts defense, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He failed to find the end zone, however, with the teams lone rushing touchdown coming from tight end Jonnu Smith.
Colts
This was a huge win for the Colts and their road to the playoffs. They leapfrog the Titans and vault themselves into first place in the AFC South, though these teams will meet again in Week 12.
Philip Rivers went 29-39 throwing the ball on his way to 308 passing yards. His best weapon was rookie wideout Michael Pittman, who set career highs in both receptions and yards in this one, tallying seven catches for 101 yards.
Fellow rookie Jonathan Taylor continued sliding in the opposite direction, carrying the ball just seven times for 12 yards. Jordan Wilkins and Nyheim Hines were both significantly more productive.
Highlights
HAPPY BIRTHDAY NYHEIM HINES!! 🥳
📺 FOX/NFLN pic.twitter.com/ddAkIcnSi8
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 13, 2020
I don’t want them to gain another yard! You BLITZ ALL NIGHT! #INDvsTEN
Watch Live 📲: https://t.co/qQiSREWtDV pic.twitter.com/F76ql4F2n7
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) November 13, 2020
SPECIAL TEAMS MAKING PLAYS‼️
📺 FOX/NFLN pic.twitter.com/2IbV3Wuipw
— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 13, 2020
Indianapolis (6-3) stepped up and took control of the AFC South for the moment, but the division race between them and the Titans (6-3) is far from over. They will play again in Week 12, meaning each team has a one game break before running this rivalry back again, although it is unfair to call either of their Week 11 games a ‘break’ in any way. The Colts will be taking on the Green Bay Packers (6-2), while Tennessee will be matched up with the Baltimore Ravens (6-2).
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