Indianapolis Colts Defeat Tennessee Titans in Nashville, 34-17

Indianapolis Colts beat Tennessee Titans 34-17 on Thursday Night Football, tying themselves with the big rivals at the top of the AFC South. Both sides have six wins and three losses right now, with the note that they have another match in two weeks’ time, only this one in Indianapolis.

The Colts were superior in the second half, especially in the third period, when they scored two touchdowns and killed the morale of the home team. In those 15 minutes, Frank Reich’s guys were much better than the pale Titans, whose special team made two big mistakes in that third quarter. At first, a bad punt from the back up kicker, Trevor Daniel, set up a perfect position for the Colts to score. Tennessee’s defense stopped the guests one-yard away from the end zone, but Daniel punted the football just 17 yards, and the Colts immediately scored after that.

However, that wasn’t the only blow for the Titan’s special crew. On the next drive, they didn’t protect their punter well enough, and Indianapolis’ players managed to block his punt, with TJ Carrie catching the football and taking it into the end zone.

Mike Vrabel was asked following the game about his special team and its coaches, but the Titans’ head coach stated that he doesn’t have the slightest doubt in their quality and the quality of work they provide.

“I have confidence in Craig [special-teams coach Craig Aukerman] and Ryan [special-teams assistant Ryan Crowe] and what they do. We’ll continue to hold people accountable and continue to improve.”

Ryan Tannehill also failed to show, recording just 147 yards, for one touchdown. One of the quarterbacks with the best passer rating in the league was uncertain throughout most of the match.

Derrick Henry was at his usual level, with 103 yards on 19 carries, however, without a touchdown. Jonnu Smith and D’Onta Foreman delivered Titans’ two scores in tonight’s matchup.

The Colts had a slow start but would shift into a higher gear after the halftime break. Their defense was rolling over the hosts, and on the other side, the offense was constantly pressuring their rivals, making them tired. In the end, once the Titans broke, there was no way back for them.

“Just trusting the players. I just felt we needed to be aggressive… I know that Coach Vrabel is going to be aggressive,” said Reich.

Rivers was orchestrating the defense very well, with 308 yards thrown, 29-for-39, and without turnovers. Michael Pittman Jr. caught 101 yards on seven receptions and broke the 100+yard limit for the first time in his career.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NYHEIM HINES!! 🥳

📺 FOX/NFLN pic.twitter.com/ddAkIcnSi8

— Indianapolis Colts (@Colts) November 13, 2020

Nyheim Hines was the man of the match with two touchdowns, one on the ground and one through the air, for 115 yards from the scrimmage. He is the only player in the league to have multiple games with both rushing and receiving TDs.

“He had a fire in his eyes… He was in the zone,” Reich told about his performance.

One thing we shouldn’t forget regarding Rivers is that he moved past Dan Marino on the fifth place on the all-time passing list. He now has 61,666 yards, and the next one on the list is Brett Favre with 71,838 yards.

His Colts are hosting the Green Bay Packers next, and after that, have another matchup with the Titans. Meanwhile, the Titans have to face the Baltimore Ravens on the road, before traveling to Indianapolis.