Nov 12, 2020; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; Indianapolis Colts cornerback T.J. Carrie (38) celebrates after recovering a blocked punt and returning it for a touchdown during the second half against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
NFLBy Matt Clapp on

The Indianapolis Colts went into Nashville and beat the Tennessee Titans 34-17 on Thursday Night Football. Here are our takeaways from a game that has big AFC South implications:

A 17-10 Titans lead turned into a 34-17 loss

Things were looking okay for the Titans when tight end Jonnu Smith got a unique goal-line rushing touchdown to give Tennessee a 17-10 lead (after the extra point) with 2:54 to go in the second quarter.

But after that play, it was *all* Colts. Indianapolis outscored the Titans 24-0 the rest of the way, in total domination over all three phases. Even Jacoby Brissett — the Colts’ starting quarterback last season — got into the game and scored a touchdown.

But there was a three-drive sequence that particularly changed the game in the third quarter…

Special teams decided this game

With just over 5:30 remaining in the third quarter, the Titans had 2nd-and-1 at their own 20. Then D’Onta Foreman was stuffed for no gain. Then Ryan Tannehill was sacked for a loss of 10 yards. And then Trevor Daniels had a 17-yard punt.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LvdMiwGCM

That gave the Colts fantastic field position at the Tennessee 27-yard line, and four plays later, Nyheim Hines ran for a two-yard touchdown.

And on the next drive, the Titans’ punting game had an even bigger gaffe, which says a lot after a 17-yard punt. After a three-and-out- from the Titans’ offense, the Colts blocked a punt — two or three players almost blocked it — and returned it for a touchdown.

The blocked punt touchdown was followed by a 12-play drive by the Titans that ended with Stephen Gostkowski missing a 44-yard field goal.

So, brutal results on three straight drives by the Titans’ punting and kicking game. That turned a toss-up game into a blowout Colts victory.

Easily the Colts’ most impressive victory

The Colts are 6-3, and you don’t get to 6-3 in the NFL without being at least a solid football team. But there were many evaluators that were skeptical of the Colts being nothing more than a mediocre football team incapable of being the league’s top teams. After all, the Colts lost to the Jaguars in Week 1, and their only other victory vs a team with a winning record was against the Chicago Bears (5-4) in Week 4.

But Thursday Night’s victory was a statement win against a very good Titans team on the road. The Colts showed off their tremendous defense that entered Week 10 ranked third in defensive DVOA. And Philip Rivers — 29-of-39, 308 yards, one touchdown, no interceptions, 105.5 passer rating — showed that while he isn’t what he was in his prime years with the Chargers, he’s still a capable quarterback that can efficiently run the offense and make some big throws when necessary.

The Colts’ defense will allow them to at least hang in there vs anybody. But when they have it clicking in all three phases like Thursday night, they’re a very dangerous football team that could cause some trouble in January.

What it means for the AFC South

The Titans would be frustrated about the opportunity they blew in this game regardless of opponent, but *especially* when it comes to their only competition for the AFC South crown. Rather than getting a victory to go up two games in the AFC South, the Titans now find themselves tied with the Colts in first place at 6-3.

Additionally, this gives the Colts the first half of the head-to-head tiebreaker, with these two teams scheduled to meet each other in Indianapolis in Week 12. If they were to enter that game with the same record, and the Colts once again came away with a victory, Indianapolis would essentially have a two-game lead due to the tiebreaker.

So, there will be a lot of pressure on the Titans to win the Week 12 game, but they have another highly difficult challenge before that one- the Titans go to Baltimore to face the Ravens (6-2) in Week 11. Then again, the Colts also have a very tough one, in hosting Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers (6-2) in Week 11. This will be a fun race to follow in the coming weeks.

About Matt Clapp

Matt is an editor at The Comeback. He attended Colorado State University, wishes he was Saved by the Bell's Zack Morris, and idolizes Larry David. And loves pizza and dogs because obviously.

He can be followed on Twitter at @Matt2Clapp (also @TheBlogfines for Cubs/MLB tweets and @DaBearNecess for Bears/NFL tweets), and can be reached by email at mclapp@thecomeback.com.

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