Colts vs Titans: Live updates, highlights, analysis from Week 16

Stay up to date as the Colts vs Titans Week 16 matchup unfolds with keys to the game, highlights, in-game analysis, and more.

The Indianapolis Colts are back at home in Week 16 for a divisional matchup with the Tennessee Titans.

Coming off a loss to Denver, the Colts’ playoff hopes were already slim and before Indianapolis has even had the chance to take the field again, those odds have already decreased further with the LA Chargers win on Thursday Night Football over those same Broncos.

However, priority No. 1 for the Colts is taking care of their own business–specifically finding that elusive consistency. While the defense had one its best performances of the season this past week, the offense orchestrated a massive second-half collapse.

Kickoff will be at 1:00 PM ET at Lucas Oil Stadium, with the Colts wearing their “Winter White Out” uniforms. With the play-by-play will be Tom McCarthy, with Jay Feely and Ross Tucker providing the analysis, along with Tiffany Blackmon on the sidelines.

Key to the game

Success for the Colts in this game will be all about the running game on both sides of the ball. Defensively, they need to limit Tony Pollard and the Titans running game, putting the game in Mason Rudolph’s hands, and allowing the Indianapolis pass rush to pin its ears back against a sub-par offensive line unit in pass protection.

On offense, the Colts need to be able to move the ball on the ground with Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson, keeping them ahead of the sticks and taking some of the burden off of the passing game.

Colts Inactives

The Colts have listed seven players inactive for this game. For a closer look at the impact of this, click here.

QB Sam Ehlinger
CB Chris Lammons
DE Isaiah Land
G Atonio Mafi
G Dalton Rucker
WR Alec Pierce
LB EJ Speed

Live Scoring Updates

First quarter

Mason Rudolph connects with Calvin Ridley for a 38 yard touchdown. Ridley got a step on Samuel Womack, who was in coverage. Titans lead 7-0.

Second quarter

Sparked by the run game, the Colts put together a six play, 57 yard scoring drive for a touchdown. Game is tied 7-7.

Jonathan Taylor runs for a 65-yard touchdown. Colts lead 14-7.

Matt Gay kicks a 31 yard field goal after an 8-play, 65 yard drive. Colts lead 17-7.

Following a Kenny Moore interception, Richardson through a quick pass to Downs who ran it in from 27 yards out after making a defender miss. Colts lead 24-7 at halftime.

Third quarter

Jonathan Taylor rushes for a 70 yard touchdown on the firs play of the half. Colts lead 31-7.

Following an interception, the Colts go 40 yards in four plays for another touchdown. Colts lead 38-7.

The Titans go 70 yards over nine plays for a touchdown. The Colts lead 38-15 after a successful two point conversion attempt.

In-game analysis

– Not surprisingly, but a really good start from DeForest Buckner, who is controlling the line of scrimmage in the middle, making running the ball early on difficult for the Titans.

– Tough start for Richardson. He missed passes to Alie-Cox and Pittman on the first possession and then was late throwing to Ogletree up the seam on the second possession and it resulted in an interception.

– As we saw on the Colts’ scoring drive, success for this offense starts and ends with the run game. The combo of Taylor and Richardson in the backfield when rolling can really stress a defense horizontally.

– After the possession mentioned above, the run game for the Colts really exploded. On Taylor’s 65 yard run, he eclipsed the 1,000 yard mark this season and the Colts continued to lean into the ground game, running the ball 12 straight plays. This then helped open up some pass game opportunities with a deep ball to AD Mitchell and a quick pass to Downs who made the first defender miss.

– Another ripple effect of a strong run game is the efficiency on third downs. A good run game keeps the offense ahead of the sticks and in manageable down and distances.

Highlights

(Please note that this article will be updated as the game unfolds.)