The Indianapolis Colts came to Nashville for a date with the AFC South leading Tennessee Titans in the only match-up between teams with winning records in the NFL this weekend. It was a big one for several reasons – for one, whoever was to come out of this game victorious would be in the driver’s seat in the AFC South. For another, the Colts only have one more AFC South game in 2022, so to bury them with only one more chance to get a divisional win would give the Titans a huge advantage in the playoff race. What ensued was a master class in getting to the quarterback and taking advantage of the opportunities that arise out of creating chaos. The Titans gutted one out again in grimy fashion to win this one 19-10.
Takeaways
- In the first half, the Titans were able to really ratchet up the pressure on Matt Ryan and they baited him into a couple of bad interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. Once they had him seeing ghosts, it felt like Mike Vrabel and company were content to sit back and let the Colts beat themselves. It’s not like the offense was doing anything particularly well at this time, anyway.
- The Adams pick-six was just brilliant defense. Adams squatted on the hot route, and Bud Dupree forced pressure on Ryan. He made the mistake, and Adams made him pay for it. Beautiful team defense.
- In the second half, the Colts had a sustained 10+ play drive. The Titans defense looked tired by the end of it. An indirect result of the ineptitude on offense…this unit is going to wear down in the 2nd half if the offense can’t help it out and sustain a damn drive. Thankfully, they did eventually, but it’s an area that has contributed to their second half woes this season.
- I’m not necessarily ready to say the second half woes are over either. The Titans are making baby steps to get better in the second halves of games, but there was still plenty of anxiety watching this offensive line collapse in the second half.
- I thought the defensive backs had some good reps on Michael Pittman, Jr. today. But, it was interesting to see Pittman have six catches. I was telling a co-worker to keep an eye on Alec Pierce because Vrabel would want to take away primary options on the Colts’ offense, and Pierce looked like a guy who could benefit from the focus on Pittman. Pierce only had three catches for 37 yards. Was that indicative of Vrabel’s thinking that Pierce was the real #1 threat on this Colts offense after how he’s come on in recent weeks or coincidence?
- I really don’t understand how so many of y’all can watch this Titans offense and still think Ryan Tannehill is even remotely the problem. He was fighting for his life on several plays and still took care of the football or delivered a dime to Robert Woods. They didn’t get much of a push on the left side of the line. “Run left” is effectively dead, and yet, some of y’all seem to think Malik Willis would fare better. I don’t get it.
- Dillon Radunz got got for a false start on 4th & 1 from inside the five-yard line. Congratulations, you played yourself.
- Austin Hooper had a hell of a reception in the third quarter. With pressure in his face (as was the norm today), Tannehill delivered a perfect pass in between two defenders, and Hooper displayed tremendous concentration to hold onto it to the ground and through the act of the catch.
- Tannehill went down with an injury at one point, and folks, I do not want to see this Titans offense without Tannehill at the helm. He returned with a heavily taped ankle on the following drive.
- Malik Willis was involved in the game plan today. The Titans lined him up at the right end of the formation, motioned him inside, and attempted a handoff to him to utilize his electricity in the open field with the ball in his hands. The handoff wasn’t clean, and Willis couldn’t corral the football. The fumble was recovered by the Colts. I can appreciate trying to get creative in getting play-makers on the field, but maybe not in a tight ball game when ball security becomes of paramount importance. Maybe try that one when you’re in enemy territory too where the turnover might not be quite as devastating. Vrabel added in his postgame press conference that they would continue to find ways to get Willis involved in the offense.
- Hassan Haskins has been a pretty good kick returner. That’s all. That’s the note.
- On that final drive, the offensive line came together to really drive behind Henry and move the chains. In the postgame press conference, Vrabel said it was indicative of “everything we wanted to do” on offense. I concur, man – that’s fucking Titans football in a nutshell, baby! Vrabel added, “hopefully there’s a good picture we can hang in the hallway.”
- Vrabel wouldn’t outright criticize his offensive line, but he alluded to the fact that protection has been garbage and acknowledged that it would probably come back to bite them in the ass if they keep letting Tannehill get hit the way he is. A win is a win is a win and all, but I maintain that the offensive line is a serious issue for this team, and until it gets sorted out, will put a cap on how far we can project this team to go.
Game Balls
- Andrew Adams – Who had an Andrew Adams pick-six on their Titans bingo card for 2022?!?! After rotating a myriad of depth safeties, the Titans have landed on Adams, who has been solid. In addition to the interception returned for the touchdown, Adams had a couple of impressive one on one stops of Jonathan Taylor in the open field too. He finished the game with 10 tackles.
- Derrick Henry – Man, he still hasn’t ripped the big runs consistently so far, but he has been a hammer when they needed him. He kept the chains moving today, and finished with 128 rushing yards.
- Bud Dupree – Dupree was a force in Ryan’s face all afternoon. He had a sack, and two quarterback hits, but seeing him back and healthy showed how valuable his presence is on this Titans defense.
- Randy Bullock – Give Randy Bullets his flowers. The man was clutch today in a game they absolutely needed him in. Bullock was 4/4 on field goals and 1/1 on extra points today.
The Titans are back at it next Sunday evening against the Houston Texans in Houston at 3:05PM CST.
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Stoney Keeley is the Editor in Chief of The SoBros Network, and a Dogs Playing Poker on velvet connoisseur. He is a strong supporter of Team GSD, #BeBetter, and ‘Minds right, asses tight.’ “Big Natural” covers the Tennessee Titans, Nashville, Yankee Candle, and a whole wealth of nonsense. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley.
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