Colts vs. Titans Week 16: Everything we know from Indy’s 38-30 win

The Indianapolis Colts (7-8) keep their slim playoff chances alive after beating the Tennessee Titans (3-12) in a 38-30 game. This completes the season sweep and makes it the fourth victory in a row for Indianapolis over their divisional rivals. 

This contest looked like it was going to be a blowout win for the home team after the Colts’ dominating second and third quarters. They scored 38 unanswered points to make it a 38-7 game with 6:50 left in the third quarter. This run was sparked by Jonathan Taylor and Anthony Richardson’s dominant day on the ground. 

The QB-RB tandem combined for 288 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns. The defense also played their part in creating the big second-half lead. They forced three three-and-outs and two interceptions while the offense lit up the scoreboard in the second and third quarters. 

But Indianapolis just couldn’t make it easy themselves. The defense started laying back too much which led to three straight touchdown drives by Tennessee’s defense to make it a one-score game with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter and the Titans had all three timeouts. 

In the end, it was Richardson’s arm and legs that helped close out the win. He hit Michael Pittman Jr. on a third-and-eight to keep the drive alive and had a nine-yard run to move the sticks. This helped burn enough time to punt the ball with 10 seconds left. 

Kenny Moore II picked off Mason Rudolph to end any last-gasp comeback attempt by Tennessee. 

Here’s everything we know from the Colts’ Week 16 win over the Titans:

Colts vs. Titans final score, game recap Week 16

Final Score: Colts 38, Titans 30

Keys to the Game

• In the middle of the second quarter, Jonathan Taylor broke a 65-yard touchdown run to give the Colts’ first lead of the game. 
• Kenny Moore II picked off Mason Rudolph in the final two minutes of the first half. Three plays later it led to Anthony Richardson connecting with Josh Downs for a 27-yard touchdown to give the Colts a 24-7 lead heading into halftime. 
• Jonathan Taylor’s 70-yard touchdown run on the first play of the third quarter. It gave Indianapolis a 31-7 lead. 
• The third-and-eight conversion by Anthony Richardson and Michael Pittman Jr. following the two-minute warning. If the pair didn’t connect then the Titans would have gotten the ball back with 1:55 left and all three timeouts. 

Stars of the Game

1. RB Jonathan Taylor: JT made sure to hold onto the ball today and it paid off with 219 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. 
2. QB Anthony Richardson: This was a day that AR shined on the ground with nine carries for a career-high 70 rushing yards and a touchdown. Through the air, he went seven-of-11 for 131 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. 
3. Kenny Moore II: The veteran cornerback ended his afternoon with three tackles (two solo), two passes defended, and two interceptions. His first interception led to seven points and his second one ended the game. 

Biggest Takeaway

This should of been an easier win for the Colts but a common theme that has plagued them this season showed up again. They have yet to put together a complete four quarter performance, which has led to thier seven one-score victories and why they have eight losses at this point of the year. For whatever reason, this team tends to make games harder then they need to be.

I should be talking about the dominant day on the ground by AR, JT, and the trenches, but all three units failed to put away the Titans, and gave them hope to pull off the miraculous comeback. This matchup shouldn’t have came down to the last two minutes. Indy got it done but I want to see them put away the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars in the final two weeks. 

Quick Hits

• Per Next Gen Stats, Jonathan Taylor reached a top speed of 21.54 mph on his 70-yard TD run, his second play of the game over 21 mph as a ball carrier. Anthony Richardson reached 21.29 mph running down the field, the fastest play by a quarterback on a scrimmage play since 2016.
• Per Matt Conti, JT has topped 200 rushing yards in a single game for the second time in his career. It’s the fourth time a Colts player has rushed for 200-plus yards in a game in team history.
• The Colts set a franchise reconrd with 335 rushing yards as a team. 
• Per Next Gen Stats, Taylor generated a career-high +102 rush yards over expected. the third-most by any player this season. JT recorded a max speed over 21 mph on both of his explosive run touchdowns, two of his three fastest rushing speeds of the season.
• Per Next Gen Stats, Richardson averaged a 2.19 second time to throw, his quickest in a game this season. He generated +30 rush yards over expected, the most in a game in his career.

Injuries

• Alec Pierce (concussion) and E.J. Speed (knee) were inactive.
• Trey Flowers left with a shoulder injury and was ruled out. 
• Jaylon Jones left with a throat injury and was ruled out. 

What’s next?

The Colts will be taking their last road trip in Week 17 to face the New York Giants (2-13).