Colts get much needed win, stay in the playoff hunt…

Indianapolis @ Tennessee Game Recap

Coming into this game each of these teams were slumping, the Colts had lost the last three games and the Titans were on a five game losing streak of their own. Call it the injury bug or just dumb luck for the Colts; the once dominant AFC south champions were looking, well beatable. Every week the injuries piled up but more than that the mistakes and miscues really began to take there toll. We have all heard about Peyton’s problems over the past three games with 11 interceptions but moreover it has affected the defensive side of the ball as they have been put in tough situations and given up points in the process. In this game Manning and the offense were looking to rebound and get things back on track. For Tennessee the team has been in turmoil over the Young and Fisher saga, and we are still waiting to see how that plays out, at any rate they have struggled. For a team that started out 5-2 on the season and now to find themselves battling for their playoff lives is something that can leave you scratching your head. The Titans have gotten away from what makes them a solid football team, Chris Johnson the all every thing back, has been limited and teams have keyed on him also with the acquisition of Randy Moss you thought maybe they would put the ball in the air but he has been a non-factor thus the team has no chemistry and is searching for an identity. So both teams were looking to snap out of the daze and get back to their winning ways, let’s go to the action:

In the first quarter the Colts looked like they were ready to send a message as Manning and the offense really were throwing the ball all over the field, Javarris James was the beneficiary as he scored on a 1-yard touchdown run after an 11 play drive. The score at the end of the 1 st quarter Colts 7, Titans 0.

In the second quarter there was more action as the Colts struck first Manning found Pierre Garcon from 1-yard out after a 10 play drive, then Manning found Garcon again after a botched Titans punt attempt put Indianapolis deep into Tennessee territory, it was a 19-yard touchdown pass to put the Colts way out in front. Tennessee finally got on the board late in the second as Chris Johnson ran it in from 1-yard out making the score at the half Indianapolis 21, Tennessee 7.

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In the third quarter the Titans struck first as Kerry Collins found tight end Craig Stevens from 7-yards out to cap off a 7 play drive. The Colts fired back with a 21-yard Adam Vinatieri field goal and that was all the scoring in the third Colts 24, Titans 14.

The fourth quarter brought out the fireworks the Colts tacked on another Vinatieri field goal this one from 28-yards out but the Titans came right back as Collins found Bo Scaife for a 4-yard touchdown strike. Again the Colts drove the ball down the field and Vinatieri kicked a long 47-yard field goal putting the game out of reach. The Titans did tack on another touchdown as Collins again found Scaife from 2-yards out in the final seconds making the score Indianapolis 30, Tennessee 28.

Key Stats:

Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning 25 for 35 319 yards 2 touchdowns 0 interceptions

Reggie Wayne 4 receptions 106 yards 0 touchdowns

Pierre Garcon 6 receptions 93 yards 2 touchdowns

Tennessee Titans

Kerry Collins 28 for 39 244 yards 3 touchdowns 0 interceptions

Chris Johnson 22 rushes 111 yards 1 touchdown

Bo Scaife 4 receptions 20 yards 2 touchdowns

The Colts seem to have finally gotten off the snide and look ready to make a run for the playoffs the big game will come next week as they face Jacksonville, in a game where the division will be on the line. For the Titans the biggest surprise is that Randy Moss has been a no-show and honestly they have not even looked his way this has to be frustrating for the once big play receiver as the season draws to an end for the Titans look for major changes to be taking place.

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer