The Tennessee Titans aren’t getting any style points in 2022 but they continue to rack up wins anyway. Their latest came in Week 7 over the Indianapolis Colts, 19-10, giving Tennessee its fourth straight win.
We literally could almost copy and paste our recaps on a weekly basis, as the same issues keep rearing their ugly heads.
The Titans’ offense was stagnant throughout the entire game and didn’t even show signs of life in the first half, and it didn’t help that offensive coordinator Todd Downing made questionable play calls to make things more difficult.
Thankfully, as is usually the case, the defense came up with some big plays to change the course of the game, and the Titans were able to put six points on the board in the fourth quarter, their first fourth quarter points of 2022.
Quarterback Ryan Tannehill wasn’t good in this game despite getting sufficient protection. Making matters worse, Tannehill suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter and was clearly playing in pain.
All that said, the defense came to the rescue once again, securing a pick-six and three turnovers overall to keep Indy’s offense in check and secure a victory that keeps Tennessee in first place.
Now, a look at everything we know from the Week 7 victory in Nashville.
Final score: Titans 19, Colts 10
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F |
| IND | 0 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| TEN | 3 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 19 |
Keys to the game
-The Titans forced three turnovers against the Colts, with interceptions by Andrew Adams and David Long, as well as a forced fumble and recovery during the fourth quarter that sealed the win.
-Adams’ pick went for six, and Long’s interception set the Titans up in good field position for a field goal, which was enormous with Tennessee’s offense looking as bad as it did once again.
-Tennessee’s pass-rush was simply too much for the Colts’ offensive line. Bud Dupree, Jeffery Simmons and Denico Autry each notched a sack, and Teair Tart was bringing heat up the middle, also.
-Dupree in particular got about a handful of pressures, two of which led to turnovers. This might have been his best game as a Titan, as he was an absolute difference-maker in Week 7.
-Tennessee’s offense mustered up just 254 yards of total offense. The pass protection was actually sufficient, but receivers weren’t getting much separation and Ryan Tannehill wasn’t very good.
-Derrick Henry managed to break the century mark once again but it was tough sledding outside of a few big gains. Henry did, however, get the job done in his closer role.
-The Colts made just one trip to the red zone, which they converted for six. Indy was 4-13 on third downs and 1-1 on fourth downs. The Titans were shutout in the red zone after having scored on each of their last 11 trips. Tennessee was 0-2 overall.
-The Titans sacked Ryan three times, but also totaled 10 QB hits. The veteran quarterback was under pressure all game long.
-Tennessee’s secondary was solid and didn’t allow big plays. Indy’s offense tallied just one play of 20-plus yards.
-Shoutout to Austin Hooper, who finally came alive in Week 7. Hooper had some big, chain-moving grabs, including an unbelievable catch in the fourth quarter that helped Tennessee get in field goal range to seal the win.
It was over when...
You could point to the late fumble forced by the Titans as the answer, but let’s be real: it was Randy Bullock’s 48-yard field goal with a shade under five minutes left that gave Tennessee a 19-10 lead.
With the successful attempt, the Colts were tasked with notching two scores in under five minutes on a day where they couldn’t get anything going against the Titans’ defense. That was never going to happen.
Players of the Game
-DB Andrew Adams: 10 tackles (6 solo), INT, TD, PD
-LB David Long: 8 tackles (5 solo), INT, 2 PD, QB hit
-DL Jeffery Simmons: 6 tackles (3 solo, 2 for loss), sack, 2 QB hits
-OLB Bud Dupree: 3 tackles (2 solo, 1 for loss), sack, 2 QB hits
-K Randy Bullock: 4-4 FGs, 1-1 XP
-RB Derrick Henry: 30 carries, 128 yards; 3 catches, 10 yards
-TE Austin Hooper: 3 catches, 56 yards
Injuries
-Ben Jones suffered an apparent leg injury in the first half and was clearly in pain throughout the game but he gutted it out, as you’d expect.
-Ryan Tannehill suffered an apparent ankle injury in the fourth quarter but was able to return to the game. He was clearly hampered by it, though.
-Jeffery Simmons appeared to roll his ankle in the fourth quarter. He was able to walk off under his own power.
-Ryan Stonehouse was spotted with an ice pack on his knee following the game.
What's next?
With the win, the Titans (4-2) keep their spot atop the division and have now swept the Colts for a second straight season and own the head-to-head divisional tie-breaker.
Tennessee will hope to avoid a letdown game in Week 8 when they travel to NRG Stadium to take on the Houston Texans.
