Ben Arthur
AFC South Reporter
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Splash plays on the defensive side of the ball have been the Colts’ calling card over the past several weeks. In their three-game winning streak entering Week 13, the sacks and takeaways had come in bunches. They’ve fueled ugly wins.
On Sunday, when it mattered most on the road against the division-rival Titans, it was a splash play on offense that led to a dramatic victory.
“I feel like everybody is just bought in,” wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. said. “We just don’t ever quit.”
Quarterback Gardner Minshew, not known for his arm strength, connected on a 55-yard strike to wide receiver Alec Pierce, setting up the Colts at the 4-yard line in overtime. Two plays later, Minshew hit Pittman in the end zone to give Indianapolis a thrilling 31-28 win, stunning the home crowd.
The Colts (7-5), who entered the game in possession of the third and final AFC wild-card spot, improved their playoff chances and swept the Titans (4-8) in the process.
Early on, the home team was in control. It was shaping up like many of the recent Titans-Colts matchups pre-Shane Steichen: Tennessee winning the game with its run game and defensive front. Derrick Henry had 89 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry in the first half. The Jeffery Simmons-led defensive line kept Indianapolis RB Zack Moss — who erupted for 165 yards and two rushing touchdowns in the first matchup in Week 5 — in check.
The Colts were 0-for-4 in the red zone through 60 minutes, including a 19-play drive that took 10:03 off the clock — the team’s longest drive in the past seven seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information — that resulted in a field goal.
Indianapolis had many reasons to lose and won anyway.
It started with the team’s propensity for splash plays.
It wasn’t just about Pierce’s big reception at the end. The Colts took their first lead of the game in the final…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/colts-maintain-control-of-playoff-destiny-with-overtime-win-over-titans
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Publish date : 2023-12-04 01:03:11
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