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With every week going by, the playoff picture narrows. With the AFC South up for grabs, the showdown between the Tennessee Titans and the Indianapolis Colts this week is more crucial than ever. It was a must-watch performance, and the Titans came out on top. In a game that was expected to be close, the Titans trounced the Colts 45-26.
Coming into the game, the Colts were ravaged with injuries and had a handful of players on the COVID-19/Reserve list. They were without starting C Ryan Kelly (Neck), RB Jonathan Taylor (COVID), LB Bobby Okereke (Ankle), and DT’s DeForest Buckner (COVID) Denico Autry (COVID). The game started with the Titans marching down methodically, and scoring a touchdown, via a Derrick Henry rush. The Colts then took time off the clock and answered with a TD of their own, a Philip Rivers pass to Trey Burton. The next drive Ryan Tannehill found receiver AJ Brown on a shallow crossing route, and AJ took care of the rest. He took it to the house for 69 yards and a touchdown. Indy drove down the field, and backup QB Jacoby Brissett, who is in on short-yardage situations, took a read-option in for a questionable score. With the score 14-14 going into the second quarter, it looked like it would be another good game and a shootout. Well, that’s when Derrick Henry took over.
PHOTO CREDIT: musiccitymiracles.com
He romped for 2 TD’s in the second quarter alone, to take his first-half total to 3. Tannehill added to the score with a run of his own, which the Colts D thought the ball was in Henry’s hands. This made the score 35-14 going into halftime. The Colts have been exceptional at coming back this season, as they showed last Sunday overcoming a 28-14 deficit vs the Packers. Would they be able to come back? The third quarter provided little scoring, the only points being put up came from a Stephen Gostkowski 49 yard field goal. This made the score 38-14. The Colts showed some heart, slowing Henry down. They capitalized late in the game and secured two TD’s to make the score 38-26 with about 2:30 to play. They failed to score two-point conversions on both scores.
Announcers Ian Eagle and Charles Davis were saying that this was not the way the Titans wanted to close out the game, committing penalties and giving up a few of their own. The Colts attempted an onesie kick to get the ball back. AJ Brown must have been listening to the announcers, as he took the kick, grabbing it out of the air, and taking it to the house, 42 yards for the touchdown! The game was over and the Titans secured this much-needed win.
PHOTO CREDIT: nfl.com
Tennessee sits at 8-3 now and will play the Browns next week, which is another big game. The Colts on the other hand are at 7-4 and will take on the Texans next week. Final stat leaders were: Passing; Tannehill, 13-22 for 221 yards and a touchdown thru the air, and another on the ground. Rushing; Henry with 27 carries for 178 yards and 3 TD’s. Receiving; Brown with 4 catches for 98 yards and one touchdown. My MVP for this game was again, Derrick Henry! He had another monster game, and again down the stretch he is putting the team on his back and doing his thing. All hail the king! The player who I think needs to improve is TE Jonnu Smith. He had no catches, which messed up my fantasy this week. Anyway, he had a decent day blocking and I believe that he will have a bounce-back day next Sunday.