Nashville, Tenn. — Joe Flacco knows the importance of being ready as a backup quarterback in the NFL. The 39-year-old understands how to focus on the game, especially when it comes to finding key teammates like wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr.
Flacco connected with Pittman in the end zone, throwing a 10-yard touchdown pass with 7:27 left in the game, despite Titans cornerback L’Jarius Sneed closely guarding him. This play secured a 20-17 victory for the Indianapolis Colts over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
“He’s one of the toughest players I’ve ever played with,” Flacco said of Pittman, who had a back injury but practiced only on Friday before the game. “I think part of him was trying to prove a point.”
Flacco is now 1-1 as the starter for the Colts (3-3), who managed a much-needed split of back-to-back road games while second-year quarterback Anthony Richardson sat out again due to a hip injury.
“You have to stay alert and prepare; that’s just how it is,” Flacco noted.
Richardson, the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has yet to face Will Levis, the 33rd overall pick by Tennessee in the same draft. The injury-plagued Colts, with nine players on injured reserve, also missed 2021 NFL rushing champion Jonathan Taylor for the second consecutive game.
The Titans (1-4) have now lost three straight games to their division rivals and will have to wait until November to seek their first home victory this season under first-year head coach Brian Callahan, who remains optimistic about his team’s potential.
“We need to make more plays to win close games,” Callahan said, reflecting on the Titans’ third loss by a touchdown or less. “I have to find a way to help us improve because losing these one-score games is tough.”
Tony Pollard gave the Titans a 17-10 lead with a 23-yard touchdown run, capping off a drive that consumed more than half of the third quarter. Flacco responded by leading the Colts to ten straight points, regaining the lead.
He set up Matt Gay’s second field goal, a 22-yarder, just seconds into the fourth quarter. Pittman, who did not practice Wednesday or Thursday, expressed confidence in playing and credited Flacco for the game-winning throw.
“I had to go up and get it for him,” Pittman said.
The Titans had opportunities to regain control. They went three-and-out after the Colts took a 20-17 lead, and Julian Blackmon intercepted Levis’ pass intended for Calvin Ridley with 4:52 remaining. This marked Levis’ seventh interception of the season.
Tennessee had one last shot with 12 seconds left, starting from their 3-yard line. Levis threw to DeAndre Hopkins, who initiated a series of laterals, eventually leading to the ball being downed as time expired.
Flacco began the game with a 10-play drive, concluding it with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Josh Downs for a 7-0 lead.
This more than made up for a pass Flacco threw directly to Titans safety Amani Hooker, resulting in Tennessee’s first interception of the season. Hooker returned it 30 yards, and Levis finished a three-play drive with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, tying the game at 7.
The Titans took a 10-7 lead with a 44-yard field goal from Nick Folk, capping a 15-play drive that consumed nine minutes. Gay evened the score at 10 just before halftime.
Defensive Standouts
Colts head coach Shane Steichen praised his defense, which held the Titans to 241 yards and excelled in the fourth quarter. Tennessee had possession for less than five minutes, with two three-and-outs, an interception, and a punt.
“They stepped up big time in the fourth quarter to get those stops,” Steichen noted, despite missing Pro Bowl tackle DeForest Buckner and two other linemen.
Self-Inflicted Wounds
The Titans committed a season-high 11 penalties for 113 yards. Callahan declined to comment on a couple of plays where the Titans were seeking interference flags, stating that officials don’t typically provide explanations.
Injuries:
Colts: Starting defensive end Dayo Odeyingbo injured his hamstring in the second quarter but returned in the third. Center Ryan Kelly, who missed the last two games with a neck injury, hurt his calf late in the third and did not return.
Titans: Running back Tyjae Spears suffered a hamstring injury and also did not return.
Next Up:
Colts: Host the Miami Dolphins in their only home game within a five-game stretch.
Titans:Begin a two-game road trip against the Buffalo Bills.
