Well, a win is a win, right? In a game where both teams struggled to get much going, the Indianapolis Colts were able to do just enough on both sides of the ball to outlast the Tennessee Titans.
This was a big win for the Colts because not only does it get them to .500 on the year, but in the division they are now 1-2 as well as 2-2 in the AFC.
So now that we’ve had time to look back and digest what we saw, let’s take a look at the Colts’ performance with the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all.
The Good
Michael Pittman and Josh Downs
In close games, teams need their best players to come through for them and that’s what Pittman and Downs did. Of Joe Flacco’s 22 completions for 189 yards and two touchdowns, the combination of Pittman and Downs had 10 of those receptions, 101 yards, and both scores. In addition to the production, both players came up with some big receptions in key situations.
Tyler Goodson
As expected against a stout Titans’ front, moving the ball in the run game did not come easy for the Colts. However, Goodson provided a needed spark in that phase of the game, averaging 6.4 yards per carry with a long of 33 yards, on eight attempts.
Third downs
The Colts ability to sustain drives while forcing the Titans to punt was an important aspect in a close game. The Colts’ offense was 7-for-15 on third downs and the Titans were just 4-for-11. This helped the Colts run 11 more plays than the Titans offense–a key factor in what ended up being just a three point win.
Fourth quarter defense
It certainly wasn’t a pretty performance by the defense, but they came through when it mattered late. After the Colts took the 20-17 lead, the defense forced a three-and-out, came away with an interception on the next possession, and then forced a punt late after just one Tennessee first down.
Passing defense
The Colts did get some help in this regard from a Titans’ offense that has not been dynamic this season and clearly wanted to get the ball out of Will Levis’ hands quickly. But regardless, this unit had an interception and held Levis to just 95 passing yards at a lowly 3.5 yards per attempt.
Opening script
The Colts have now scored a touchdown in three straight games on their first possession of the game. This is a credit to Shane Steichen’s game-planning abilities and being able to exploit the opponent’s weaknesses. Now the Colts need to find some consistency once the script has concluded.
The Bad
Run defense
This is a Titans’ offense that has struggled to move the ball through the air and one that wanted to lean on the run game. None of that is surprising information. However, the Colts’ run defense struggled to get stops, allowing 146 yards on the ground at 5.2 yards per carry.
Red zone offense
The Colts finished the game just 1-for-3 in the red zone. That in itself would be enough to end in the bad category, but the main reason we are talking about it here is because of the poor execution and play-calling when inside the 20-yard line. Against one of the more stout run defenses in football, the Colts opted to run the ball three straight times between the tackles while inside the five yard line. They ended up settling for a field goal.
A tough day for the offense
Although Goodson helped provide a spark and Pittman and Downs had their key moments, overall it was tough sledding for the Colts offense in this one–which shouldn’t have been unexpected against what has been a good Tennessee defense. Through the air, Flacco averaged just 5.0 yards per pass and on the ground, the Colts averaged only 2.9 yards per carry. For some context, over the course of the season, both of those figures would rank 32nd in the NFL.
The Ugly
Tony Pollard’s touchdown run
This was certainly the low point in this game and possibly of the season for the Colts defense. Facing a third-and-19 from the Colts 23 yard line, the Titans essentially conceded and were just trying to make for an easier field goal attempt by running a halfback draw to Pollard. However, due to missed tackles and poor angles, Pollard ended up scoring, which gave the Titans a 17-13 lead.