The Tennessee Titans took over second place in the AFC South on Sunday, defeating the Indianapolis Colts, 31-17. It was a tight game that came down to the wire, as the two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 17 apiece.
A blocked field goal turned touchdown gave the Titans their first lead of the game with five minutes remaining, and they never looked back. The defense forced three turnovers while Derrick Henry carried the load on offense. He rushed for 149 yards and a touchdown, his third game in a row with more than 140 rushing yards. Tannehill was efficient, completing 17 of 22 passes for 182 yards and two touchdowns.
The Colts racked up 391 yards of total offense, but Jacoby Brissett's two interceptions were absolute back-breakers. In all, he completed 25 of 40 passes for 319 yards, one touchdown and two picks. The Titans defense also held the Colts running backs to just 82 total yards on 24 rushes. Indianapolis clearly missed T.Y. Hilton, who sat out with a calf injury.
The Colts, who were in first place in the division just two weeks ago, have now fallen to third, while the Titans have rocketed up to second. The hunt for a playoff bid is on in Tennessee.
The Titans won because of their ability to create big plays: two blocked field goals (one that went for a touchdown), two interceptions, Henry had a couple of huge runs and Kalif Raymond caught his first NFL touchdown on a 40-yard bomb in the fourth quarter. Tennessee overcame two first-quarter turnovers, five first-half sacks and a double-digit deficit to come back and win by 14 points -- those points all coming in the fourth quarter.
This Titans team capitalizes on big plays and doesn't get rattled in tough situations. No one is picking them to win the Super Bowl in 2019, but they look like a team that can beat anyone on any given Sunday. The Titans are still riding that wave of momentum they created three weeks ago, when they blocked Harrison Butker's field-goal attempt to beat the Kansas City Chiefs in Nashville. After a slow start, this team looks ready to compete in the postseason.
No one wants to call out the legendary Adam Vinatieri, so I'll just pin this loss on the Colts' special teams unit in general. A missed 55-yard field goal attempt, a blocked 53-yard field goal attempt and a blocked field goal that turned into seven points for the Titans -- that's a 16-point swing, and the Colts only lost by 14.
Vinatieri also struggled against Tennessee earlier this season. Brissett threw three touchdowns against the Titans in Week 2, but the Colts barely held on to win 19-17. Vinatieri's two missed extra points earlier this year almost cost the Colts a game, and his misses plus the poor play of the special teams unit ended up costing the Colts a win late in the season when it really mattered.
The Titans' blocked field goal touchdown was definitely the play of the game on Sunday. It was the second blocked field goal of the game and No. 5 on the season for Tennessee.
You have to love that not one, but three Titans got into the backfield on this play. As soon as it was blocked, everyone knew it was going the other way for six. This score gave the Titans the lead for the first time, and almost seemed to signal the end of the game.
The blocked field goal was definitely somewhat of a turning point, but the Colts still had five minutes to erase a seven-point deficit. Two plays later, Brissett sailed a pass intended for Zach Pascal, and it was picked off by Logan Ryan.
Just like that, the Titans had the lead and the ball back. Three plays later, Tannehill had a beautiful 40-yard touchdown pass to Raymond. In less than two minutes of game time, the Titans had established a 14-point lead, and it was more than enough to get the job done.
The Titans travel to Oakland next Sunday to take on the Raiders, a team that has won its last three games at home, and like the Titans, is eyeing a wild-card spot. The Colts travel to Tampa Bay to take on the Buccaneers. Jameis Winston and Co. defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars, 28-11, on Sunday and are riding a two-game win streak.
Derrick Henry rushed for 149 yards and a score, Tannehill threw for 182 and two scores and the defense came up huge. This Titans team appears to be for real. Thanks for joining us! Stay tuned to CBSSports.com for more postgame analysis.
Incredible win for the Titans. They are now in second place in the division and on track to secure a postseason bid. Unfortunately, it's not looking good for the Colts. This is a big loss for them which may knock them out of the postseason race.
This defense is coming up huge. Which is what you want to see from your team in the late stages of the season. The Titans lead the NFL in blocked field goals.
Another huge turning point! Everything is going right for the Titans while it looks like the Colts are finished.
Looking to Doyle here is a great idea. He has 6 catches for 73 yards and a touchdown. He and Pascal have been great.
That's Kalif Raymond's first touchdown of the season, and it just came at a huge time.
What a throw. Titans are taking over.
Titans will be going to him and he's historically come through https://twitter.com/AllanBell2...
Logan Ryan is having a huge day and just came up big again! Brissett's second INT today. Things are not looking good for the Colts.
Absolutely huge play. Both teams are playing for their season at this point, and that field goal block could send the Titans to the playoffs. Colts still have time though, no need to panic.
Second blocked field goal of the game! Huge play for the Titans! What a turn of events.
His players told him to challenge it and he did. Good call. https://twitter.com/JordanDaja...
Definitely an incompletion there.
Titans defense is struggling now, I think they are tired. Hines picks up 11 yards on first and 20. That was an opportunity to stop the Colts. Looks like they are going to score here. Inside the 30 now.
Such a great play design. Anytime you can get a running back in space off of misdirection with the offensive line in front of you -- huge.
Pascal has had a great game, he now has seven catches for 109 yards.
I don't think I agree with that unnecessary roughness penalty.
I guess ball don't lie? Titans go three and out after that controversial A.J. Brown play.
That's surprising to me. That really could have gone either way.
That looks like a fumble to me.
Just a great throw to A.J. Brown. He's had trouble against Desir today, but Tannehill knew he would have him on the outside that play. Tough throw but Tannehill likes those routes.
You have to respect Tannehill's ability to run. Defenses would understand that if they have watched him over the past few weeks.
