In what was one of the more wild games you’ll ever see, the Tennessee Titans dropped their Week 13 game against the Indianapolis Colts in overtime, 31-28.
The Titans lost several key starters to injury throughout the contest, had back-to-back punts thwarted (one block, one fumble) and returned an intercepted two-point conversion attempt the distance of the field.
The Titans also shot themselves in the foot with turnovers and penalties, and the officiating left a lot to be desired, to say the least.
Tennessee got off to a hot start offensively, scoring 17 points in the first half. But, just like last week, the offense stalled out in the final two quarters while the defense played its typical bend-but-don’t-break style.
Despite the mess this game was for the Titans, they were able to force overtime and took a 28-25 lead in the extra frame, but the Colts answered right back with a five-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to grab the win.
There was a whole hell of a lot that transpired in Week 13. Here’s our best effort at breaking it all down for you following Tennessee’s latest crushing defeat.
Final score: Colts 31, Titans 28
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | F | OT |
| IND | 7 | 6 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 31 |
| TEN | 10 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 28 |
Titans' top performers
RB Derrick Henry: 21 CAR, 102 YDS, 2 TDs; 1 REC, 18 YDS
DL Denico Autry: 3 tackle, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 PD
WR DeAndre Hopkins: 5 REC, 75 YDS, TD
RB Tyjae Spears: 15 CAR, 76 YDS; 4 REC, 13 YDS
Instant analysis: Offense
-Just like last week, the Titans’ offense got off to a good start before almost completely shutting down in the final two quarters. However, this time around, Levis wasn’t able to even put together an entire half of good football, as he struggled with accuracy and decision-making, and he put the ball in harm’s way on several occasions with multiple near picks and three fumbles, one of which was lost. Levis did make some good throws here and there and was solid in overtime to help the Titans take the lead, but it was a bad showing for the rookie overall on Sunday.
-The offensive line wasn’t good in pass protection, but I thought the unit did enough for the Titans to do better through the air.
-The O-line was very good in run-blocking and gave Derrick Henry massive holes to run through, especially in the first half, when he tallied 89 of his 102 yards. He also scored twice in the first half. Henry eventually exited due to injury and Tyjae Spears did a great job stepping up in his place, finishing with 88 yards from scrimmage (76 rushing).
-DeAndre Hopkins and Chig Okonkwo were Tennessee’s leading receivers, with Hopkins leading the way with 75 yards and a score. Okonkwo continues to play much better than he did earlier in the season, although he did have a drop in this game.
-The Titans were 6-for-17 on third downs and failed to convert their lone fourth-down try. The Titans did convert two of their three red zone trips.
Instant analysis: Defense
-The pass-rush was getting decent pressure on Gardner Minshew and had three sacks, but that wasn’t enough to cover for what was another awful showing from the secondary, which allowed three receptions of 36 yards or more, two of which proved to be the difference in this game. Alec Pierce’s 36-yard reception where he got behind both Kristian Fulton and Elijah Molden went for six, and his 55-yard catch in overtime after burning past Sean Murphy-Bunting set the Colts up for the game-winning score. Michael Pittman also had his way with Tennessee’s secondary, finishing with 11 catches for 110 yards and the game-winning touchdown. When the Colts weren’t making big plays down the field, they were killing the Titans with small cuts, methodically working their way down the field.
-After getting torched by the Colts’ rushing attack in Week 5, the Titans’ run defense was much better. Tennessee held Indy to just 55 yards on 23 carries, with Zack Moss tallying 2.7 yards per carry on his 19 rushes.
-The Titans notched a pair of turnovers in this game. Amani Hooker had a rare pick-two, where he intercepted a two-point conversion attempt and returned it the distance of the field. Denico Autry had a strip sack that was recovered by Molden, which thwarted a Colts red zone trip. Roger McCreary should’ve had a turnover but dropped a sure pick. Autry’s strip sack helped overcome that, though.
-The Colts were a dreadful 3-for-14 on third downs and failed to find pay dirt on four of their five trips to the red zone. Normally that would be good enough to win, but not on this day, as the Titans found a way to lose yet another game.
Instant analysis: Special teams
-It was a disastrous day for the Titans on special teams. Not only did the Colts stop back-to-back punts (one block and returned for TD, one fumble) but punter Ryan Stonehouse suffered what appeared to be a serious injury, forcing Nick Folk to serve as punter. The veteran kicker actually did a good job with the first two punts of his career, hitting them for 40 and 41 yards.
-With Stonehouse out, the Titans had Ryan Tannehill step in as the holder, but Folk missed an extra point on Tannehill’s very first snap. It wasn’t exactly clear what went wrong but the miss proved to be massive because the Titans would’ve taken a 26-25 lead and likely wouldn’t have had to go to overtime. Folk made both of his field goal attempts, including the one in overtime with Tannehill as the holder.
-The Titans also allowed a 36-yard kickoff return, setting up the Colts’ first touchdown drive of the game in the first quarter.
-Craig Aukerman should’ve been fired years ago, as the Titans’ special teams is typically a disaster, year in and year out. This game only reinforced the notion Aukerman should lose his job.
Titans injuries
DL Jeffery Simmons (knee): Simmons suffered a knee injury in the third quarter but came back in briefly before exiting again. He did not return after that.
P Ryan Stonehouse (leg): Stonehouse suffered a serious injury during the fourth quarter on a second blocked punt and was immediately ruled out. He’s going to miss significant time.
RB Derrick Henry (concussion): Henry exited in the fourth quarter and did not return.
TE Josh Whyle (knee): Whyle was injured in the fourth quarter and did not return.
Titans highlights
THAT MAN WAS ANGRY @KyleBrandt
Send @ChigTweets to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/xEJGgw50rN
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
Derrick Henry szn 👑
(via @NFL)
pic.twitter.com/gwAmrxexdj— FOX Sports: NFL (@NFLonFOX) December 3, 2023
HE'S LEVIS-TATING
Send @will_levis to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/NVQXoICyPQ
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
DHEN-BER 👑
Send @KingHenry_2 to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/3AnBiMXjt2
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
REDZONE TURNOVER!
Send Denico Autry to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/ML6Tq1PUm5
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
➕2️⃣
Send @amanihooker37 to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/T0nQDRNF2e
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
🧘♂️🧘♂️🧘♂️
Send @DeAndreHopkins to the Pro Bowl » https://t.co/M6tlEVcH9I
📺: Watch #INDvsTEN on @NFLonCBS pic.twitter.com/Rra6i5mfwm
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) December 3, 2023
What's next?
After a brutal defeat at the hands of the Colts, the Titans now have to travel to South Beach, where they’ll take on a team with one of the best offenses in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins. With the way this secondary has played this season, and with Big Jeff injured, good luck winning that one.
