The winner of this fixture will take first place in their respective division. One of the most exciting regular season headlines an NFL fan can read. The Colts are 5-3 heading to Nashville whist the Titans are 6-2. After winning a tight game against the Bears on Sunday, the Titans will be looking to build on their momentum. On the other hand, the Colts will wish to bounce back from a two-touchdown loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday.
This game wil be brought to you by Jack Power.
KICK OFF ! Colts win the toss but decide to defer. Titans will take kickoff.
After two plays and two 1st downs, the Titans have the ball in Colts territory. Xavier Rhodes is down after a clash of heads with S Khari Willis.
TOUCHDOWN!!! Titans 7-0 Colts! D’Onta Foreman receives and catches a pass from Ryan Tannehill with 11:50 left on the clock. They made it look easy.
Jonathan Taylor converts a 4th-and-1 although he took a big hit behind the line of scrimmage.
Jordan Wilkins tries to charge but fails on the 4th-and-1 from the Titans 29 yard mark. 6:50 left of first quarter. Titans ball.
Colts start from their 24 after a Tennessee punt with 5:06 left. A.J. Brown then drops what would have been a big gain on 3rd down from a brilliant pass from Tannehill.
FIELD GOAL, COLTS! Wilkins starts to hesitate on his route and drops the pass from Rivers on third down. Indianapolis then settle for a 24-yard field goal from their kicker Rodrigo Blankenship. Safe to say Titans are in control of this one as they lead 7-3 going into the second quarter.
SECOND QUARTER, Tennessee faces 3rd-and-1 from their 34 yard mark.
A T.J Carrie hold negates a Grover Stewart sack. First down Tennessee at its 42. Shortly after the magnificent Derrick Henry dashes for 21-yards into Colts territory.
FIELD GOAL, TITANS. Stephen Gostkowski tucks home a 50 yard kick to extend the Titan lead to 10-3 with 11:10 left in the first half. He is now 6of-7 from that range this season.
Nyheim Hines is looking like the featured back for the Colts. He has four carries for 26 yards and an 11-yard catch.
TOUCHDOWN!!! COLTS! Rivers chalks the ball off to Hines, who takes it in for the 13-yard score to draw level at 10-10. 7:49 remain on the clock and you would imagine that won’t be a bad birthday present for Hines!
During this Titans drive, the Colts have been penalised twice for offside. Rodger Safford also goes down hurt for the 3rd time this season. You’ve got to feel for him.
Derrick Henry produces another large gain going to the right side. 15-yards made. He now has an impressive eight carries for 53 yards.
Colts defence seeming fairly frustrated after conceding five penalties, this time roughing the passer was called.
TOUCHDOWN TITANS!!! Jonnu Smith steps in for the single yard touchdown from a simple jet sweep. Titans have now taken a seven goal lead at 17-10 with just under three minutes left of the first half.
FIELD GOAL, COLTS! Blankenship hits home from 43 yards as time expires. Titans 17-13 Colts
Halftime: Titans 17-13 Colts
Nyheim Hines has had a great half showing bursts of speed, with six carries and five receptions including a touchdown from a 13-yard catch. Philip Rivers has also been involved in much of the action, having completed 19-of-27 passes for 209 yards. T.Y. Hilton who has only just come back from injury, has four catches for 40 yards.
Ryan Tannehill has kept it nice and tidy as usual completing 9-of-13 passes for 99 yards including a touchdown to D’Onta Foreman. Derrick Henry has 10 carries for 51 yards.
Colts start the 3rd from their 26. Trey Burton makes a 14-yard catch on the first play followed by a 14-yard Nyheim Hines run on the next play to put Colts in the Titans half.
Titans punt! Tennessee didn’t have enough room to operate and the Colts get the ball back in a vulnerable Titans position after a piddling punt – just 17 yards off of the foot of Trevor Daniels – at the Tennessee 27-yard line. 4:09 left in the 3rd quarter.
TOUCHDOWN!! COLTS! It’s the birthday boy again! Hines punches it in from two yards out and the Colts now lead 20-17 with 2:50 left on the clock in this quarter.
A SUBLIME PUNT BLOCK, TOUCHDOWN COLTS!!! E.J. Speed gets in behind and knocks down Daniels’ punt. T.J. Carrier picks up the ball and casually takes it into the end zone. All of a sudden the Colts lead has been extended to 27-17 with 1:52 remaining in the third quarter.
Titans have sure not given up on their running game early in this fourth quarter. Derrick Henry is over 100 yards and Tennessee are in enemy territory.
Darius Leonard gets called for unnecessary rougheness from a late hit on Ryan Tannehill with the Titans at the Colts’ 18. Shorlty after, Gostkowski misses from 44 yards with 12:11 to go for his 8th miss this year. Tough to see Titans coming back from this.
Philip Rivers dishes a dime to Michael Pitman who did a great job of hanging on to the ball. Rivers is closing in on 300 for the game.
TOUCHDOWN, COLTS. The unexpected Jacoby Brissett comes in for Rivers and takes the QB sneak for a two yard TD. Colts extend their lead to 34-17 with just over 9 minutes remaining.
Colts prevent a Titans drive on downs and takeover at their 12 with just under 7 minutes to go.
Rigoberto Sanchez punts up the field for the first time in the match with 3 minutes to play. Titans at their 16.
FINAL: COLTS 34-17 TITANS
Colts dominated the second half and have gained an AFC South edge. Both teams now 6-3 with the Colts holding the head-to-head advantage.
Philip Rivers had a phenomenal game and arguably one of his best ever at the age of 39. He produced 308 passing yards, including a TD. Nyheim Hines has 115 total yards on 17 touches, including two TDs. Michael Pittman Jr. had 122 total yards with 101 receiving on seven catches.
Overall an intriguing game between two tough sides, which has made the last 7 games of this division extremely interesting.
