The Colts blew out the Titans in Indianapolis, 38-10. The Colts advance to 5-5 with their first four-game win streak in four seasons. The Titans are a confusing bunch. One week, they’re destroying the Patriots. The next week, they look like a Pop Warner team against the Colts. The Colts clicking and the bad Titans showing up created a perfect storm for the Indianapolis Colts to make a statement to the rest of the NFL.
This game was never close. The Titans came into this game with the NFL’s number one scoring defense, giving up under 17 points per game. By the end of the first half, the Colts had scored 24. Late in the second half, Marcus Mariota re-injured his elbow and did not return. Blaine Gabbert couldn’t right the ship, throwing a boneheaded interception right to Darius Leonard.
Andrew Luck was dominant again, throwing for 297 yards and three touchdowns, his seventh straight game doing so. Five minutes into the fourth quarter, Jacoby Brissett came into the game. The Colts’ run game was effective; Marlon Mack carried the ball 16 times for 61 yards and a touchdown. Jordan Wilkins had a nice day, adding a touchdown. Once again, the Colts offensive line has been an absolute revelation. They dominated a very good Tennessee defensive line. Andrew Luck’s jersey stayed clean again and had all of the time in the world to operate.
T.Y. Hilton has been quiet for much of this season. Even when he isn’t dominating, his presence is always felt. Today, the Titans learned the hard way that the Ghost can detonate whenever he wants. His domination started when Andrew Luck uncorked a 68-yard bomb to Hilton for a score. He finished the day with 155 yards and two scores on nine receptions. It was a statement performance for the Colt offense which is establishing itself as one of the best in the NFL.
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Against an offense that just scored 34 on the Patriots, the Colts’ defense held the Titans nearly scoreless. This game could have been a shutout if the Colts’ didn’t commit a silly penalty at the end of the first half, leading to a field goal. Blaine Gabbert also scored in garbage time. It was the Titans’ first trip to the red zone all day. Everyone got in on the fun today. Quincy Wilson had his first interception of the season. Darius Leonard had another fantastic day, racking up seven tackles, 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception. The Colts’ defensive line threw around a talented Titans’ offensive line, sacking their quarterbacks five times after not sacking anyone in the last two weeks.
One area of consistent concern for the Colts is the penalties. The Colts had multiple penalties on special teams, including one that wiped out a Chester Rogers punt return touchdown. Ryan Kelly and Margus Hunt exited the game early with knee injuries.
At 5-5, the Colts might be the hottest team in the NFL. Still fielding the easiest schedule in the NFL, the Colts will have a real shot to make the playoffs after a convincing win over a good team on Sunday.
Ben Pfeifer is the Managing Editor of the Colts for Full Press Coverage, the AFC South Division Editor, and head NBA editor. Want to continue the discussion? Contact Ben Pfeifer on Twitter @Ben_Pfeifer_, @FPC_NBA and @FPC_Colts.
